Fryeburg
Welcome to Fryeburg!
The town of Fryeburg was incorporated in 1777 and was the first town settled in Oxford County. The town gets its name from Colonel Joseph Frye, to whom it was granted during the colonial times for his services to the British during the French and Indian Wars. Fryeburg developed into a thriving frontier town thanks to its abundance of water power for mills, fertile soil for farming, and transportation via the Saco River and later via the Portland and Ogdenburg Railroad.
Fryeburg continues to thrive and grow today. Route 302 in Fryeburg is the second busiest road entry point into Maine after I-95 in Kittery, bringing transportation of goods as well as tourists coming to enjoy Maine’s Lakes Region in the summer. The Fryeburg Fair, which brings a deluge of 200,000-300,000 visitors to town every October, is the largest agricultural fair in Maine. (Source)
Fun Facts
- Fryeburg and the surrounding area was once territory of the Pequawket Abenaki Indians, until they were forced to leave during Dummer’s War. They would travel via the Saco River downstream to the ocean, where they would fish and collect other coastal resources before returning home. (Source)
- The disastrous Battle of Pequawket in 1725 took place near what is now Lovewell’s Pond. This encounter between British forces and Pequawket’s Abenaki Indians left many dead on both sides, including both sides’ leaders. A small monument to commemorate the battle is located on the north side of Lovewell Pond. (Source)
- Notable Fryeburg residents over the years have included the Native American Molly Ockett, governor of Maine John Dana, Clarence Mulford, who was the creator of Hopalong Cassidy, the famous politician Daniel Webster, and more! (Source)