Flagstaff, Maine facts for kids
Flagstaff was a small community in Maine, United States. It was located in Somerset County, close to the town of Eustis. About 20 miles north of Rangeley, Flagstaff was once a busy place. Today, it is known as a ghost town. This means the town was abandoned and is no longer inhabited.
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What Was Flagstaff?
Flagstaff was once a "plantation" in Maine. In Maine, a plantation is a special kind of small community. It has some local government but is not yet a full town. People lived and worked in Flagstaff for many years. It was a quiet place surrounded by nature.
How Flagstaff Got Its Name
The name "Flagstaff" has an interesting history. A famous American soldier, Benedict Arnold, camped here long ago. This was during his expedition to Quebec in 1775. Arnold and his men set up a tall pole with a flag on it. This "flagstaff" gave the area its unique name.
Why Flagstaff Disappeared
Flagstaff is now a submerged place. This means it is underwater. In 1950, the town was completely abandoned. All its buildings were taken apart. This was done to build a large hydroelectric dam on the Dead River.
The dam was built to create electricity. It caused the Flagstaff Lake to become much bigger. The new, larger lake covered the entire area where Flagstaff once stood. The town was officially closed down by law in 1950.
Flagstaff in Music
The story of Flagstaff's disappearance has even inspired music. A song called "Below" by the musician Slaid Cleaves talks about a town being flooded. The song is on his 2004 album Wishbones. While it doesn't name Flagstaff directly, the lyrics mention the Dead River. This helps listeners understand the song is about Flagstaff's fate.
