There are many small towns in Maine and they all have their own unique history. Turner started as a quiet village, incorporated on July 7, 1786. Most of the early activity was on Upper Street, where there was a meetinghouse, tavern, schoolhouse and a stage coach route. Many farms started up along the route and soon Turner village started to thrive by the Nezinscot River.
Another village started to grow to the east as well, called Bradford Village, now Turner Center. The two villages did not always agree on things.
Turner’s first town meeting was held in March of 1787 in the church meetinghouse. For many years it continued to be held there, attended by both villages, but the townspeople eventually wanted a townhouse for holding their yearly meetings. In 1831 residents voted 93 to 76 (most of the 76 being from Bradford) to build a townhouse on the Turner Village side.
Within a few weeks the townspeople began to build the structure. But the Bradford men came and disassembled it and reassembled it where they felt it should be in Bradford Village, using jagged iron fasteners in addition to wood pegs to reconstruct it, making it harder to take apart again.
A few weeks later, the Turner men came and disassembled the structure and moved it back to where they originally had it, and rebuilt it. The first town meeting was held there in August of that year. A little later on, the building had to be moved yet again to its current site; when it was reassembled this time it was reinforced yet again to make it even more difficult to take apart.
So stands the Turner Town House on Route 117 in Turner. To look at it, you would never suspect it caused such a stir back in the 1800s. It sits across the street from the old Leavitt Schoolhouse, which is now the Turner Museum and Historical Building.
There is a lot to enjoy in Turner these days. There’s golfing at the Highlands, where you can also have dinner while enjoying great views, www.turnerhighlands.com; four boat launches in the area, with the best known on the Androscoggin River at the Turner Boat Launch right next to the bridge on Center Bridge Road; and just next to the boat launch is access to Androscoggin Riverlands State Park, which is open year-round, but not always easily accessible by vehicle in the winter. The park offers 15 miles of hiking trails and also can be used for horseback riding, snowmobiling, ATVing and biking.
There are also many farms in Turner, including Ricker Hill Orchards at 295 Buckfield Road (www.rickerhill.com).
Like to go camping? Martin Stream Campground is a “clean, quiet, family oriented campground nestled on 17.5 wooded acres along Martin Stream” according to its website at www.martinstreamcampground.com.
Sunnyside Gardens
500 North Parish Road
207-212-9256
www.sunnysidegardens.com
If you are looking for perennials for your garden then look no further. This is a beautiful and amazing garden full of surprises everywhere you look. They also have a tea garden for your enjoyment. This is not to be missed if you are in the area.
Nezinscot Farm
284 Turner Center Road
207-225-3231
www.nezinscotfarm.com
If you are not already familiar with this farm, this is a good time to see what they are all about. An organic farm that sells a vast array of products, including their own cheeses and baked goods, it also offers a breakfast and lunch menu. If you are into fiber crafts, the upstairs is filled with wool of all colors.
Androscoggin Riverlands State Park
On Center Bridge Road next to the Turner boat launch
http://www.nps.gov/resources/site.htm?id=19234
This is Maine’s newest state park, with more than 2,500 acres and 12 miles of riverfront views. It has 15 miles of hiking trails, along with trail use for riding horses, ATVs, snowmobiles and biking.
Turner Cattle Pound
Corner of General Turner Hill Road and Kennebec Trail Road
This is now on the National Register of Historic Sites – an actual cattle pound that was used to hold cattle that wandered away from home. The farmers would come and claim their bovines. Another little known fact about Turner.
Turner Town House
Route 117
You’ve read the story of this old town house, now go see it. The town is making plans for renovations that will restore the building to its original structure. And in front of this building is the child-sized replica of the:
Turner Creamery Building
The Turner Creamery is no longer in existence, but its replica stands in front of the Town House.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
