Oxbow, Maine, is a unique place of natural beauty. As gateway to the headwaters of the Aroostook River, Oxbow has a rich history in the lumbering and sporting camp industries.
Since the 1840s, people seeking deep connections to the land, woods, and waters, have made Oxbow their home. That same spirit is alive today.
(Photo, circa early 1900s, courtesy of Ann Currier)
Photo (Above), Back Row: Ike Libby, Al Currier, Zepra M (?), Frank McMannus (?), Elbridge “Ellie” Currier, Alice (Murchie) Currier, Front Row: Eldora (Atkins) Junkins, Nettie McKee, Frank Currier, Lizzie Walters [Information from Doris (Currier) Soucia, daughter of Elbridge and Alice (Murchie) Currier]
As we build out the history section of this website, we will create individual pages based on topics. We start with the history of the East End School.
East End School (Oxbow, Maine)
Oxbow’s commitment to education goes back to 1846 when Isaac Lord Junkins (1837-1924) and Elias Henry Hayden (1817-1896) built the first schoolhouse near a brook on Lot 28 in Township Number 9, Range 6. Elias Henry Hayden was the first teacher. Over the years, a handful of one-room schoolhouses were built by the community. One teacher for grades one through eight. The East End School was the last. Constructed in 1904, the school operated until 1968 when Oxbow joined the school district in Ashland.
Today, this building is the Oxbow Community Center.
A Few Student Photos Over the Years:
(circa 1910s)
L to R: (seated front row) Dora Grass, Christine Willard, Beatrice Anderson (seated second row) Arlene Ellis, Catherine Ellis (standing second row) (left) Olga Chase, Guy Weaver (right) Bennie Grass, Amber Anderson (standing third row) Isa Anderson, Joe Weaver, Harley Anderson, Lester Anderson, Miss Waters, teacher (back row) Frederick Weaver, Harold Anderson, Mona Junkins, Ester Swett, Earl Grass
(circa early 1950s) Many thanks to Max Soucia for reproducing the above photo to be displayed at the Oxbow Community Center (see below).
(circa early 1950s)
We are looking for help identifying students in this photo. We believe Bruce Junkins is right row, middle. If you know others, please email us at oxbowcommunity@gmail.com
(1964-1965)
L to R: (top row) Steve Sherman, Judy Grass, Mr. Ernest Libby, teacher, Edith Fleming, Dale Grass (middle row) Ann Currier, Andy Michalka, Kathy Corbin, Gary Currier, Gail Corbin, Scott Sherman (bottom row) Norman Currier, Mary Fleming, Susan Michalka, Sheila Fleming, Doug Fleming
Precious snapshot of last school year students (1967-1968)
L to R: (front row) Ann Currier, Sheila Fleming, Edith Fleming, Lisa Fleming, Timmy Michalka, Jackie Fleming, Mark Auclair (back row) Ernest Libby, teacher, Danny Michalka, Michael Auclair, Mary Fleming, David Auclair, Danny Sullivan, Andy Michalka, Scott Sherman, Steve Sherman, Gary Currier
(1968)
Last trip for the Oxbow school bus. Jeanette (Michaud) Currier, bus driver
Construction of the East End School
During an Oxbow Town Meeting held May 3, 1902, community members started exploring the possibilities of constructing a second schoolhouse. The West End School, built in 1894, was already in full swing. On June 25, 1903, an Oxbow Town Meeting vote approved $1,000.00 to build the East End School.
Ledger entry for Oxbow, Maine, Town Meeting, June 25, 1903.
James H Anderson, constable,
Miles D Arbo, moderator,
Lyman L Willard, town clerk.
Lyman Willard (1878-1963), town clerk, with his wife, Maud (Junkins) Willard (1884-1974)
A list of Oxbow, Maine, voters in 1902 included: James Anderson, John Anderson, Miles Arbo, Ephram Chase, A.H. Currier, Elbridge Currier, Frank Currier, William Currier, Almon Currier, Stephen Ellis, Charles Ellis, Leonard Ellis, George Fleming, Wilmon Fleming, William Fleming, Fred Fleming, Jasper Goss, John Goss, Edward Goss, Frank Howes, Isaac Junkins, Julius Junkins, Edward Junkins, G. W. Junkins, William Junkins, Fred Keating, Charles Libby, William Libby, James McMannus, Frank McMannus, John McLean, L.B. Piper, Walter Swett, U.G. Swett, Charles Swett, Henry Smith, Hiram Smith, Warren Willard, Lyman Willard, Charles Clifford
.
Town Clerk, Lyman Willard. Town Assessors, John McLean, James Anderson, Frank Currier
Photos courtesy of Judy (Greenlaw) Dow Estey, Susan (Michalka) Bushey, and Christine (Dow) Stadig
