Government

The Town of Oxford is nestled between its neighboring towns of Paris, Norway, Otisfield, Mechanic Falls, Hebron and Poland. Oxford’s Town Office is currently located at 85 Pleasant St which was once a school for the community. Oxford is currently governed by an elected, five- person Board of Selectmen and an appointed Town Manager. We are a growing population of 4101 according to the 2018 Census and pride ourselves on keeping our small town feel while encouraging business growth. There are six communities within the Town of Oxford; Oxford, Paine Corner, Oxford Station, Welchville, Pratt Corner and Caldwell Corner.

First settled in 1794, Oxford was incorporated on February 27, 1829. It was originally part of a Plantation called Bog Brook It annexed land from Otisfield in 1830 and Paris in 1838. The town was named after the city of Oxfordshire County, England. Originally known for growing hay, the town became noted for its cattle, especially after the Grand Trunk Railway came to town in the 1850’s.

At that time a land speculator and apothecary from Boston came to town known as Andrew Craigie who built a sawmill and gristmill at the outlet of Thompson Lake. The village area was known after that as Craigie’s Mill. Two textile mills came to the area, Harper’s Manufacturing Company and Robinson Manufacturing Company, as well as a barrel stave mill and shovel handle factory.

To learn more about the history of Oxford, contact or visit the Kay House Historical Society.