by Jeffrey D. Merrill Sr. (Author)
For 178 years, Maine State Prison peacefully coexisted with the town of Thomaston. In addition to its stately elms, the formidable brick facade overshadowed Main Street to the south and provided a stark contrast to the former sea captains' homes to the north. At the time of its closure in 2002, Maine State Prison was one of the oldest prisons still in use in the country. The decision to move from the antiquated prison to a state-of-the-art facility in nearby Warren was met with mixed emotions and even sadness. On February 12, 2002, round-the-clock operations moved Maine's most violent and dangerous prisoners, leaving behind unlocked doors and darkened cells. By June of that year, the old prison was demolished and buried in the ancient abandoned limestone quarry, although its memory continues to live on in the minds of those who knew it firsthand.