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-=-=-= THE LARSON CONNECTION =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Larson, Maine Named after James Larson, owner of a lumber company founded in 1865, Larson sprang up around one of the larger logging camps and, at one time, boasted more than 15 different saloons. Most structures were canvas tents with log floors, and hardly a night went by where someone wasn't injured or killed in some form of violence. Mostly populated by lumberjacks and trappers, Larson didn't settle down until sometime in the 1870s when the men began to "marry up" with mail-order brides from "down south." The women, who came from more civilized places like Portland, Boston and New Haven, set about taming the rough and tumble town (and the men!), forcing their new husbands to build houses and a church. Like similar towns in the Wild West, civilization came slow to Larson, but eventually general stores and other businesses appeared in place of the saloons. It was incorporated in 1876, and elected of James Larson, Jr. as mayor. A city council was formed, and Larson saw steady growth from an influx of merchants and families over the next 25 years. By 1911, Larson could boast a population of over a thousand, and electricity. Over the next 20 years, Larson's population grew, and by 1930, it had a population of nearly 40,000 residents. Larson University was founded in 1945, coinciding with an influx of WWII veterans students. During the late 50s and early 60s, Larson experienced a population explosion. People from various 60s era movements were drawn to the town for reasons that baffled the locals. Most of the "hippies" remained after "Summer of Love," raising families and putting down roots. In the following years, Larson University gained recognition in the academic community, and continues to offer some of the finest scientific and historical programs in the United States. Expansion has continued, and by the Centinniel Celebration in 1976, Larson had almost 175,000 residents, with another 10 thousand students attending Larson University. Twenty years later, full-time residents numbered nearly 250,000, with a yearly influx of 15,000 university students. Larson became a major city in Maine. Situated on I96, it lies a mere 30 miles from the Canadian border and though founded as a lumber town, its economic base has expanded to include a little of everything. The college accounted for about 40-percent of the employment, with other industries making up the other 60-percent. Despite this, life in Larson wasn't easy, since its remote location often means isolation during the winter. Roads were impassable due to heavy snow, which drove the cost of living higher. Lumberjacks, being a hardy lot, found the place well to their liking, but modern-day residents aren't quite as content. Many had moved from Larson to seek a less expensive place to live. During the recent war, the remaining citizens of Larson were forced to evacuate their town when a highly secret government research facility on the outskirts of town suffered an "accident." With little time to gather their belongings, the residents were forced from their homes -- a few literally at gunpoint! -- by the Maine National Guard and units from the nearby Ft. Bronson army base. Although hushed up, government officials finally announced that the town evacuated because of "improper safety measures at a laboratory developing weapons for the military." The outraged citizens were offered lucrative settlements by the government, and the town lay abandoned for nearly three years. Finally, Larson was reopened, and people returned, though it never quite regained the same population as prior to the evacuation. Buildings still lay empty, though many returned to try and pick up the pieces of their shattered lives. Continued in news History9 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= |