Harpswell Cattle Pound Explained

Harpswell Cattle Pound
Location:	Harpswell, Maine, U.S.
Coordinates:	43.7994°N -69.9871°W

The Harpswell Cattle Pound is a stone enclosure in Harpswell, Maine, United States. It was used to hold stray animals until they could be reunited with their owners.^[1] It was kept locked until the owner paid for the animal's release and it was determined that the animal had not caused any damage to local farmland.

It was built in 1793, and its remains are still visible as of 2023.^[2] Located on Harpswell Neck Road, the pound was one of the first built in New England.^{[3] [4]}

A bronze plaque, donated by the Brunswick Rotary Club, was added to the site in 2023.

Notes and References

1. Locke . William N. . 1994 . The Rise and Demise of the Cattle Pound Harpswell and Maine . Maine History . en . 33 . 3 . 210–221 . 1090-5413.
2. Web site: Cattle Pound . 2023-10-03 . www.harpswellhistorical.org.
3. Web site: Oliver . J. W. . 2022-05-13 . Brunswick Rotary proposes historic marker for cattle pound . 2023-10-03 . The Harpswell Anchor . en-US.
4. Web site: Harpswell Cattle Pound 1793 - Harpswell, ME - Town and Village Pounds on Waymarking.com . 2023-10-03 . www.waymarking.com.