North Anson, Maine facts for kids

North Anson is a small community, also called a village, located in the northeastern part of the town of Anson. It's found in Somerset County, in the state of Maine, United States.

North Anson's Story

A Look Back in Time

In 1845, the area of Anson was divided, and North Anson became its own separate community. However, just ten years later, in 1855, the two parts joined back together again.

North Anson once had a local newspaper called the "Union Advocate." It was published every Wednesday by Albert Moore & Son and shared news, including information about the Democratic political party.

Many different churches were present in Anson, including those for Congregationalists, Free Baptists, Methodists and Universalists. The town also had many public schoolhouses, with a total value of about $3,500 for all the school buildings and property. Anson Academy, located in North Anson Village, was a well-known and successful school. Many people who became successful in business and other jobs received a big part of their education at these schools.

In 1870, the total value of all property in the town was $554,407. By 1880, this value had grown to $585,080. The number of people living in Anson was 1,745 in 1870, but it decreased to 1,557 by 1880.

North Anson Today

Schools and Learning

The schools in North Anson have changed over time. Mark Emery School and Anson Academy are no longer open. Today, students attend Carrabec Community School for grades K-8 (kindergarten through eighth grade) and Carrabec High School for grades 9-12 (ninth through twelfth grade). The name "Carrabec" was chosen by the schools' very first class. They picked it because it combines the names of two rivers that meet in North Anson: the Kennebec River and its smaller branch, the Carrabassett River.

These schools, along with Garret Schenck School and Solon Elementary, are part of a school district known as RSU/MSAD 74. This district serves students from the towns of Anson, Solon, Embden, and New Portland. There used to be elementary schools in Embden and New Portland, but they have since closed.

The Rail Line's Journey

On June 14, 2007, a short railway track, called a spur line, that went to North Anson was reopened by Pan Am Railways. This track had not been used for over twenty years. However, train service on this line stopped again in 2013.

More recently, on November 30, 2021, it was announced that the State of Maine had bought the old rail line. The plan is to turn it into a multi-use rail trail. This means it will become a path for people to walk, bike, and enjoy the outdoors. This project is part of a larger effort to create a trail that will stretch from Oakland all the way to Embden. North Anson is an important part of this trail system, as it is located within the town of Anson.