Revised November 27, 2019
Softbound $25.00
By 1692 the District of Maine was incorporated with Massachusetts. Maine then had its capital in Boston where it would remain for the next 128 years. The representatives from Maine who attended government sessions in Boston, as well as the business men and general public, would need to travel many miles to reach their capital and commerce center in Boston.
After much argument and posturing, the Massachusetts legislators agreed to letting Maine "Go it alone." Having been designated an independent state in 1820, with capital at Portland, the Maine Legislature’s session for 1822 brought up the issue of where to permanently locate the seat of government. Ten years later, having concluded that Augusta was the best choice, the Government of Maine met at the new capital, Augusta. Travel between Portland and Augusta became essential and the stagecoaches were there to provide a crude but acceptable means.
Emphasis is placed on road building; stage line formation; and taverns or stage stops along the routes. Individual experiences. comments and editorials are added to support the idea that stagecoaches provided the best way to get there, until the railroads came along.
After much argument and posturing, the Massachusetts legislators agreed to letting Maine "Go it alone." Having been designated an independent state in 1820, with capital at Portland, the Maine Legislature’s session for 1822 brought up the issue of where to permanently locate the seat of government. Ten years later, having concluded that Augusta was the best choice, the Government of Maine met at the new capital, Augusta. Travel between Portland and Augusta became essential and the stagecoaches were there to provide a crude but acceptable means.
Emphasis is placed on road building; stage line formation; and taverns or stage stops along the routes. Individual experiences. comments and editorials are added to support the idea that stagecoaches provided the best way to get there, until the railroads came along.
