This week Asa’s World Tour of Maine is rolling into Cornish, Maine. For thousands of years the land here along the Ossipee and Saco Rivers was used by Native Americans. In 1665 British colonist, Francis Small, established a trading post where the Sokokis Trail (Route 5), the Ossipee Trail (Route 25) and the Pequawket Trail (Route 113) converged, making it a central location for the much sought after lucrative fur trade. Originally referred to as Francisborough, then later Francistown, in recognition of the trading post’s proprietor, it was incorporated in 1794, as the town of Cornish. Presumably it was named for the county of Cornwall, England. Although I wasn’t able to confirm that fact, and as far as I can tell Francis Small came from Devon. Perhaps later settlers came from that area in England. But I’m an up and coming rock star and not a historian, so let’s get on with the show!
As you can see from the sign, the Sacopee Valley Rec Council and Senior Central was hosting a barn dance on the day I was there. Square dancing is not exactly my genre, but if I’ve learned anything as a young musician, I need to be prepared to play anywhere! So I promenaded over to the gazebo in nearby Eagle Mill Park to prepare my “Do-Si-Do” for this big night! That is until my tour manager Llily Llama informed me that this was not the plan. This was going to be a “very special episode” of Asa’s World Tour of Maine.
Excited I exploded off the stairs to the car to continue on our journey. Ok, so I was a little too excited and had to circle back to get my dance partner, Llily Llama. But soon we were on our way. As we got closer to the town of Standish, I got excited. Could she have booked me to perform at the Standish Summer Spectacular! No, she did not.
As we continued driving along the picturesque backroads of Maine, past farms and forests, through quaint town centers, I soon spotted the sign for White Rock. I’ve never heard of White Rock before, but every musician dreams of playing Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado. Surely White Rock must be the Maine equivalent! Sadly, it is not.
Eventually my road weary crew pulled into a parking spot at a community park. It was here that Llily Llama told me to carry her down the trail for a special learning episode of Asa’s World Tour of Maine. Join me tomorrow as I share this stop, from a little known chapter in Maine’s history.
