Situated on the western bank of the Kennebec River, the region the includes present day Richmond was part of a complicated land dispute between the British and the Wabanaki Confederacy. The Wabanaki Confederacy was comprised of the Mi'kmaq, Maliseet and Abenaki tribes, and allied with New France. Fort Richmond was built in 1719 to defend the area and encourage British settlement. New France considered the border between Acadia and New England to be the Kennebec River, so territory on its western banks as part of Acadia. During the Dummer's War of 1722-25 (also known as Father Rale's War, Wabanaki-New England War, the 4th Indian War, the Three Years War, Greylock's War and Lovewell's War), Fort Richmond was attacked, along with other settlements in the area. Fort Richmond served as a base from which to launch counter attacks throughout the war.
The town was officially incorporated in 1823. Richmond developed as a shipbuilding center following the arrival of steamboats in the 1830's. Fine examples of Greek Revival architecture still survive today, making it a popular destination for tourists.
Following is an excerpt from George E. Varney's "History of Richmond, Maine", from "A Gazetteer of the State of Maine", published in 1886:
"Among former residents of note were Nathaniel Langdon, William Pitt, formerly the owner of nearly all the territory of the town ; M. S. Hagar, Ezra Abbott, Robert B. Street, P. M. Foster, noted lawyers of their time; F. R. Theobald, William H. Sturtevant, J. T. Harward. Jabez R. Blanchard, Ambury Southard, successful ship-masters; J. C. Boynton, D. W. C. Chamberlain, physicians; John Toothaker, Thomas Spear, William Patten, extensive ship-builders; Geo. H. Hatch, Geo. H. Thomas, J. J. Hathorn, Charles White, Henry Darrah, merchants; Low Curtis, Ambrose Curtis, Samuel Harlow, Benj. Randall, James B. Beedle, wealthy farmers. The centenarian of the town, was Frederick Bates, who died a few years since at the age of 100 years and 3 months. Aaron Davis, Nicholas Gauhert, Nathaniel Tebbetts, James Woodworth, Charles Blanchard, Peter Cooper, Samuel Allen, soldiers of the war of 1812, and pensioners, are now living and upward of 80 years of age. There are nine other persons above this age, and the number who are between 70 and 80 is large.
The Congregationalists, Free Baptists and Methodists each have a church in town. Richmond has thirteen schoolhouses, the total school property being valued at $7,200. Richmond Academy, incorporated in 1861, is still sustained in connection with the town high-school. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $1,242,040. In 1880 it was $1,221,354. The population in 1870 was 2,442. In 1880 it was 2,658."
Features numbered & lettered references to the following locations:
Town Hall.
High School.
Baptist Church.
Congregational Church.
Free Baptist Church.
Methodist Church.
R. R. Depot.
Steamboat Landing.
Richmond House, H. Springer, Proprietor.
Foster & Spauldings Saw & Lumber Mills.
Foster & Spauldings Planing Mills.
Hager Brothers Shoe Manufactory.
Morgan & Dorc's Shoe Manufactory.
C. Russell & Co.'s Ice Houses.
T. J. Southard's Ship Yard.
Jos. M. Hagers Ship Yard.
S. White's Marble Works.
Chas. Flagg & Sons Furniture Factory.
J. K. Hathorn's Brass Foundry.