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Carry Road and Lakewood Camps area near Middle Dam - Upton (1860) Year listed: 2004
learned in October of 2004, that Union Water Power Company has dropped its plan to develop a nine- lot cluster development at Middle Dam near the Carry Road. The decision was the result of discussions with Friends of Richardson over the course of several months prior. In recognition of Union Water Power Company’s decision to forego development of the nine-lot cluster, Friends of Richardson have agreed to not oppose Union’s development of three lots on the south shore of Richardson Lake (away from the historic Lakewood Camps). In addition to the above, the area will greatly benefit from Union’s conveyance of over 12 miles of shorefront along the Rapid River and Pond in the River to Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust and $1,500,000 earmarked for further conservation and stewardship . BACKGROUND: Near the New Hampshire border, the Carry Road and surrounding Middle Dam/Rapid River area located at Lower Richardson Lake represents the importance of preserving pristine areas of Maine. Built circa 1860, the Carry Road was an important link between Lower Richardson Lake and Umbagog Lake. Roughly five miles in length, it runs alongside the Rapid River, the swiftest river east of the Rockies, providing transportation to Middle Dam (built in 1877 by Union Power Company for water storage, to power the textile mills in Lewiston, Maine during the summer months). Logging companies and countless sportsmen who came to fish at Middle Dam and Rapid River used the Carry Road. This road led to Middle Dam Camps, also built in 1860 and originally known as "Angler's Retreat." Today, they are known as Lakewood Camps and are one of Maine's oldest, continually running, privately owned sporting camps. The area is considered to be a significant cultural landscape. The current use of the road remains unchanged linking the two lakes and providing Rapid River access to fishing enthusiasts and day hikers. It was threatened by Union Water Power's proposal to re-zone a six-acre parcel of land at Middle Dam adjacent to Lakewood Camps. The re-zoning would allow for the construction of a condominium-like development of nine clustered camps located between the Carry Road and Rapid River, only 1,000 feet away from Lakewood Camps, visible from both the Camps and the Carry Road. The Friends of Richardson, a grassroots organization "dedicated to the preservation and conservation of the Richardson Lakes, Rapid River and surrounding areas," fear that this new development will "have a negative impact and cause irreparable damage to the unique and historic character of the Carry Road and the entire area surrounding it." They also believe that the development would damage the dirt road itself with increased traffic as well as harming the surrounding natural environment. The Friends of Richardson has gained support from organizations and individuals across Maine and New England. Their goal is to protect the cultural heritage and scenic beauty of the area, and (at the time of the nomination in Spring, 2004) were hopeful that through negotiations with Union Water Power Company that an alternative may be developed that will protect this historic area for future generations. For more information, contact Betsy Ham, Friends of Richardson Executive Committee member, at (207) 666-3376 (evenings) or at wham@gwi.net . The "Friends" mailing address is P.O. Box 71, Andover, ME, 04216.
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