Ayers Island (Maine) facts for kids
 Ayers Island
Location in Maine
|
|
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 44°52′31″N 68°40′11″W / 44.8753473°N 68.6697547°W |
| Area | 62 acres (25 ha) |
| Administration | |
Ayers Island is a small piece of land. It sits in the Penobscot River in Penobscot County, Maine. The island is very close to the town of Orono. It was named after Joshua Ayers, an early settler of Orono. He built a sawmill on the island around 1774.
Contents
History of Ayers Island
Early Industry
Joshua Ayers was one of the first people to settle in Orono. He started building a sawmill on the island in 1774. This mill helped the early community grow. It was an important place for making wood products.
The Striar Textile Mill
For many years, Ayers Island was home to the Striar Textile Mill. This was a large factory that made fabrics. The mill operated for a long time. However, it closed down in 1996. After the factory closed, the land had some pollution from its past activities.
New Ownership and Plans
The town of Orono took control of the island in 1999. Later, a company called Ayers Island LLC bought it. This company announced plans for the island. They wanted to install a new type of monitoring system. This system would use many video cameras and sensors. Computers would help watch over the area.
On Television
Ayers Island has even been on TV! Two episodes of a television show were filmed there. The show was called Celebrity Paranormal Project.
