 Andover, in Oxford County, was incorporated on June 23, 1804 as East Andover from East Andover Plantation, but adopted its current abbreviated name on June 13, 1820.
Ezekiel Merrill of Newbury, Massachusetts and his family settled here in 1789 in a log cabin he had built the previous year. In 1791, Merrill had built a much larger house which, with additions, now stands at the Merrill-Poor House, co-named for Sylvanus Poor who married Merrill's daughter. Their sons and grandson were very successful in the railroad and finance industries.
Throughout the 19th century subsistence farming, small-scale lumbering and home-based industries characterized the local economy. After the Civil War the area became a popular destination for sportsmen and vacationers attracted to the nearby Richardson Lakes. Its population declined by about 90 people between 1990 and 2000, not much more than the 790 of 1890.
In that year, planning began for a fire station to protect the two hotels, two boarding houses and other structures in the village. Constructed in 1904,it's volunteer company served the community until 1987.
It is the site of the Telstar communications satellite ground station. The region's high school bears the satellites' name. Telstar 1 was launched on July 10, 1962.
From Maine: An Encyclopedia (www.themaineencyclopedia.com)
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