Flagstaff Lake, Maine Weather Cams
Flagstaff Lake Cam
Eustis Porch Cam
Flagstaff General Store Cam
Tagging Station, Snowmobile/ATV Trailhead Cam
Flagstaff Lake: The Submerged Towns and Legacy of Maine’s Largest Man-Made Lake
Flagstaff Lake, Maine Weather Cams. Flagstaff Lake, located in western Maine, is a body of water steeped in history, shaped by both natural beauty and human intervention. Its past is one of early settlement, economic development, and transformation through the creation of one of Maine’s most significant reservoirs. From the original frontier settlements to its dramatic flooding in the mid-20th century, Flagstaff Lake remains a fascinating part of Maine’s landscape, with remnants of its submerged past still lingering beneath its waters.
Early Settlements and the Founding of Flagstaff
Before Flagstaff Lake was formed, the land was home to Native American tribes, including the Abenaki, who navigated its rivers and forests for hunting and fishing. European settlers arrived in the late 18th century, drawn by the abundant natural resources, particularly timber.
By the early 19th century, small towns emerged along the banks of the Dead River, including Flagstaff and Dead River Plantation. These communities thrived on logging, farming, and trade, with the river serving as a vital transportation route for timber heading toward Maine’s growing lumber industry.
The town of Flagstaff, in particular, gained historical significance due to its connection to the American Revolution. In 1775, Benedict Arnold and his troops passed through the region on their ill-fated march to Quebec, constructing a flagstaff in what became the town’s namesake.
The Creation of Flagstaff Lake
While Flagstaff and its neighboring settlements prospered through the 19th and early 20th centuries, major change was on the horizon. In the 1940s, the Central Maine Power Company sought to develop hydroelectric power along the Dead River. Plans were set in motion to build a dam, which would flood the existing communities and create a vast reservoir—Flagstaff Lake.
Despite resistance from residents, the dam project moved forward, leading to the evacuation and dismantling of Flagstaff and Dead River Plantation. Homes, businesses, and farmlands were either demolished or abandoned, with former residents forced to relocate. By 1950, the dam was completed, submerging the towns under the newly formed lake.
Flagstaff Lake, located in western Maine, is a body of water steeped in history, shaped by both natural beauty and human intervention. Its past is one of early settlement, economic development, and transformation through the creation of one of Maine’s most significant reservoirs. From the original frontier settlements to its dramatic flooding in the mid-20th century, Flagstaff Lake remains a fascinating part of Maine’s landscape, with remnants of its submerged past still lingering beneath its waters.
Early Settlements and the Founding of Flagstaff
Before Flagstaff Lake was formed, the land was home to Native American tribes, including the Abenaki, who navigated its rivers and forests for hunting and fishing. European settlers arrived in the late 18th century, drawn by the abundant natural resources, particularly timber.
By the early 19th century, small towns emerged along the banks of the Dead River, including Flagstaff and Dead River Plantation. These communities thrived on logging, farming, and trade, with the river serving as a vital transportation route for timber heading toward Maine’s growing lumber industry.
The town of Flagstaff, in particular, gained historical significance due to its connection to the American Revolution. In 1775, Benedict Arnold and his troops passed through the region on their ill-fated march to Quebec, constructing a flagstaff in what became the town’s namesake.
The Creation of Flagstaff Lake
While Flagstaff and its neighboring settlements prospered through the 19th and early 20th centuries, major change was on the horizon. In the 1940s, the Central Maine Power Company sought to develop hydroelectric power along the Dead River. Plans were set in motion to build a dam, which would flood the existing communities and create a vast reservoir—Flagstaff Lake.
Despite resistance from residents, the dam project moved forward, leading to the evacuation and dismantling of Flagstaff and Dead River Plantation. Homes, businesses, and farmlands were either demolished or abandoned, with former residents forced to relocate. By 1950, the dam was completed, submerging the towns under the newly formed lake.
For more information, visit the Flagstaff Lake, Maine website.