Keywords: Great britain
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Contributed by: Ski Museum of Maine
Location: Carrabassett Valley
Media: Black and White Photograph Print
Contributed by: New Sweden Historical Society
Date: circa 1885
Location: New Sweden
Britain was especially interested in occupying Maine during the Colonial era to take advantage of the timber resources. The tall, straight, old growth white pines were perfect for ships' masts to help supply the growing Royal Navy.
From the Treaty of Paris that ended the American Revolution in 1783 to the Webster-Ashburton Treaty in 1842, the northern border of Maine -- and the United States -- was uncertain and a source of considerable tension between the U.S. and Britain.
At Lexington and Concord, on April 19, 1775, British troops attempted to destroy munitions stored by American colonists. The battles were the opening salvos of the American Revolution. Shortly, the conflict would erupt in Maine.