What is the history of Scarborough, Maine?
Early in the 17th century, John Stratton opened a trading post on Stratton Island, just offshore. Soon after the Massachusetts Bay Colony began expanding, he attracted settlers both to the island and the nearby mainland. On July 14, 1658, Massachusetts granted them a town charter as ‘Scarboro’. By 1676, the town had over a hundred houses. But then a series of Native Americans in the United StatesIndian attacks killed many settlers and destroyed the town. After several attempts at rebuilding and more attacks, the survivors abandoned the site in 1680 and moved to Portland, Maine or back to Boston. Resettlement started in 1702 and several forts and blockhouses were built. Despite some attacks, the second settlement succeeded. By 1730, the area was economically prosperous. Cattle and timber were important local products for export, and available water power encouraged the
