The towns of River Valley

The River Valley area is compromised of the towns of Andover, Byron, Canton, Carthage, Dixfield, Hanover, Mexico, Peru, Roxbury and Rumford.

Nestled in the western mountains of Maine the 10 towns that make up the River Valley area are enriched with many resources that make up a healthy region in which to live, play and work.

Andover is located in a valley surrounded by the western mountains of Maine and near the New Hampshire border. It is the home of the Lovejoy Covered Bridge, one of five covered bridges in the state. Recreational facilities include camping, hiking, fishing, hunting and snowmobiling with an ITS-82 trail in its backyard. Andover Olde Home Days, the first weekend in August is a great time to be had by all.

Byron was named after Lord Byron, a poet of the century. In its early years, Byron was a town of farms scattered among the mountains of its perimeter. In the 1850s, the timber industry became important to the economy; tracks were laid and the train would haul timber to the mills. Byron also is rich in the history of gold prospecting and to this day you can still pan for gold on the Swift River up in Coos Canyon.

Canton is famous for its Lake Anasagunticook which is shared with the town of Hartford and is the water supply for the town. The interval land along the river has long been used for farming and much has been written about the Native Americans growing corn there. Canton’s Summer Fest in June is one of their major events for the townspeople and neighbors.

Carthage encompasses approximately 20,000 acres with Webb Lake and Mt. Blue State Park only minutes away. The area offers snowmobiling, canoeing, hiking, ATV riding, hunting and fishing as the Webb River, Poodunk, and Half Moon Pond are also located there.

Dixfield and its surrounding area offer hiking, bicycling, snowmobiling, canoeing, swimming and camping facilities as well as restaurants, retail shops, a wildlife museum and the John L. Towle Antique Tool Museum. Bullrock, the Dixfield mascot, is a life-sized carving of a Maine moose created from a 150-year-old white pine log by a local artist using only a chainsaw.

Hanover is located between the towns of Rumford and Bethel and is primarily a residential community. Nestled in this town are the 109 acres of Howard Pond which is over 100 feet deep. Trout and salmon are caught in the spring-fed waters. Local businesses include a general store, restaurant, antique shops, and a campground, to name a few.

Mexico was named in sympathy for the Mexican struggle to be free from the Spanish domination. Mexico is located at the junction of Routes 2 and 17; two important routes which are vital for Mexico.

The New England Forest Rally has a stage at the Mexico Rec Park every July which brings tourists from all over the world.

Peru is a community-oriented town; its motto is “Neighbors Helping Neighbors.” Hiking, bicycling, cross-country skiing, ATV and snowmobiling make up their recreational facilities.

Roxbury is a residential town with its 1.4-square-mile Roxbury Pond, a family favorite. Silver Lake Campground is a great family facility with activities for the young and old. It is truly a four-season area.

Rumford was settled as New Pennacook in 1774. Pennacook Falls is a series of spectacular waterfalls; together they have a total drop of 176 feet, making it the highest drop east of Niagara Falls. The business district is located on an Island between the Androscoggin River and the canals that were constructed many years ago to supply water to the paper mill.

For more information about the region, contact the River Valley Chamber of Commerce, 10 Bridge Street, Rumford, Maine 04276; by phone at 207-364-3241; or by email at info@rivervalleychamber.com.