A Brief History of Buckfield
By Jared Eastman, sophomore
Breanna Bellefontaine's class, Buckfield Jr./Sr. High School
Portland and Rumford Falls Sunday Paper Train August 1898, Buckfield
Greater Rumford Area Historical Society
Buckfield was first settled in 1776 by Benjamin Spaulding of Chelmsford, Massachusetts. Benjamin was a fur trapper. Abijah Buck and Thomas Allen moved to Buckfield in the spring of 1777 with both of their families. In 1785, the townspeople took a survey and decided to purchase the land from Massachusetts for two shillings an acre. It was originally called Bucktown Plantation or Plantation No. 5. In 1793 the Massachusetts General Court chose to incorporate the town as Buckfield. The court named the town after Abijah Buck.
In 1870, the population of the town was 1,494. The Rumford Falls and Buckfield Railroad passed through the town. Its depot was at Buckfield Village, the business center for the area. The train was a very popular part of the town. Along with the train, many industries began to come about in the 1900s. There were multiple general stores, including the General Store and the Old Twin Brick Store Buildings. Buckfield also had many different practices including a dentist and a doctor. This gave the people of Buckfield a way to get everything they needed while still remaining in the town.
As the 21st century began, the changes in the town became very noticeable. The General Store no longer exists along with the Old Twin Brick Store Buildings. Now Buckfield residents have nowhere to get common goods such as food and household items. In addition, Buckfield once had its own Health Center. The Cornerstone Health Service, Inc., provided help with basic healthcare. Even the Oddfellow Theater has closed after a 14 year run. It is clear that there are not as many industries as there once was; in fact there are hardly any. However, the good news is that Buckfield people always persevere and will figure out a way to get this town back on track.
