In 1836, local entrepreneurs-predominantly the Little family and friends-formed the Androscoggin Falls Dam, Lock & Canal Company: Burned in 1814 by an arsonist, it was later rebuilt. In 1809, Michael Little built a large wooden sawmill next to the falls. By the early-to-mid-19th century, however, as water power was being honed, Lewiston's location on the Androscoggin River would prove to make it a perfect location for emerging industry. Lewiston was a slow but steadily growing farm town throughout its early history. Industrial development and Benjamin Bates Rail and textile tycoon Benjamin Bates Elliott, whose son eventually built the family home at 40 Wellman Street. Elliott Avenue was named after his wife, Grace O. King Avenue and Ralph Avenue were named after Ralph Luthor King, who owned the land near the fairgrounds. At least four houses that have survived from this period are currently listed on the National Register of Historic Places. By 1795, Lewiston was officially incorporated as a town. Paul Hildreth was the first man to settle in Lewiston in the fall of 1770. Bagley and Little named the new town Lewistown. Colonial beginnings Ī grant comprising the area of Lewiston was given to Moses Little and Jonathan Bagley, members of the Pejepscot Proprietors, on January 28, 1768, on the condition that fifty families live in the area before June 1, 1774. The governor of New France, Louis de Buade, allocated them two seigneuries on the Saint Francis River. By 1680, the Androscoggin had been completely driven out of Maine. Relations soon deteriorated over colonial expansion, and conflicts with colonists and epidemics of infectious diseases devastated the Androscoggin, which responded by migrating to New France from 1669 onwards. During the 17th century, Androscoggin were among the first Native American tribes to make contact with European colonists in Maine. Prior to European colonization, the region of Lewiston was inhabited by the Androscoggin, an Abenaki people.

The city's population was 37,121 at the 2020 United States Census. The city is home to the only basilica in Maine, Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul 5 colleges and universities 44 listings on the National Register of Historic Places the Androscoggin Bank Colisée the Stephens Observatory the Olin Arts Center the Bates College Museum of Art (BCMoA) and two significant general hospitals: Central Maine Medical Center and Saint Mary's Regional Medical Center. Lewistown quickly became associated with the liberal arts and was incorporated as 'Lewiston' in 1864, a year before the college was chartered as Bates College. In 1855, local preacher Oren Burbank Cheney founded the Maine State Seminary, the first coeducational university in New England and one of the first universities to admit black students before the Emancipation Proclamation. The increase in economic stimulus prompted thousands of Quebecers to migrate, causing a population boom the populace rose from 1,801 in 1840 to 21,701 in 1890. In the 1850 Census Lewiston was fully 23% Irish born. The Irish stayed, and worked the mills and established flourishing businesses, as evidenced by the McGillicuddy, Callahan, and other Blocks and the St.Joseph's and St.Patrick's churches. Irish immigrants were recruited to build the railroad links and dig the canals for the textile mills. The rise of Boston rail and textile tycoon Benjamin Bates saw rapid economic growth rivaling that of Cambridge, Worcester, and Concord. The presence of the Androscoggin River and Lewistown Falls made the town an attractive area for manufacturing and hydro-power businesses. In the late 18th century, in 1795, Lewiston was incorporated as Lewistown. The Lewiston area traces its roots to 1669 with the early presence of the Androscoggin tribe (the namesake of the county in which the city resides). Martin Parish, Louisiana, in percentage of speakers. While the dominant language spoken in the city is English, it is home to a significant Somali population as well as the largest French-speaking population in the United States (by population) while it is second to St. In recent years, the city of Lewiston has also seen a spike in economic and social growth. It is known for an overall low cost of living, substantial access to medical care, and a low violent-crime rate. It is one-half of the Lewiston-Auburn Metropolitan Statistical Area, commonly referred to as 'L/A.' or 'L-A.' Lewiston exerts a significant impact upon the diversity, religious variety, commerce, education, and economic power of Maine. The city lies halfway between Augusta, the state's capital, and Portland, the state's most populous city. state of Maine and the most central city in Androscoggin County. Lewiston ( / ˈ l uː ɪ s t ən/ French: ) is the second most populous city in the U.S.

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