The Solon Bicentennial Committee is announcing the launch of the Solon Bicentennial Logo Contest, the first of many events promoting Solon’s two-hundredth Birthday.  The Logo Contest marks the beginning of the Solon Bicentennial Celebration, which will culminate with a huge 200th Birthday Party the summer of 2009.   Complete with a beautiful web site, email address, and applications for the Logo Contest, the website is up and running.

The Solon Bicentennial Committee is seeking local artists interested in creating a logo for our competition to be used for Solon’s Bicentennial Celebration.   The winning artist will receive a $100 prize for their creation, and will receive recognition of their art by having their logo on a cancellation stamp that can be purchased nationally and globally.  The winning artist’s signed logo will also appear on Solon Bicentennial souvenirs, such as tee shirts, cups, calendars and other memorabilia.

The deadline for submission of a completed application and art project is June 1, 2007.  Details, specifications for the art project, prizes, and dates can be found by checking out www.soloncelebrates.org.  The website will feature upcoming events posted well in advance of the date, as well as information link, hotels, restaurants, and other promotional information.

“History Of Solon”

Solon was incorporated as a town in 1809, and has maintained a residency of approximately 900 citizens.  Today, Solon serves as a bedroom community to the larger towns, and is perfectly located on U.S. Route 201, just 15 miles north of Skowhegan, and about 120 miles south of Quebec City, Canada.

The first settler, William Hilton, built a log cabin in the summer of 1782.  The next spring, he returned with his family to make this his permanent home, even after Indians had tried burning his home down.  After his refusal to leave the area, the Indians moved on to drive out other potential settlers.

Solon boasted of many factories and mills that prospered along the banks of Fall Brook that empties into the Kennebec River.  Reports state that as many as twenty-six industries have been in operation on Fall Brook and the Kennebec River, since the incorporation of Solon.  Some of the industries include:  bakeries, sawmills, gristmills, canning companies, pulp mills, snowshoe manufacturers, fence makers, boat builders, and the Solon Creamery.  With the arrival of the railroad in 1889, transportation improved marketing the many products made in Solon

The most prominent and well-known industry was the Solon Manufacturing Company, which closed its doors in the mid-90s.  Solon Manufacturing Company employed hundreds of people over the years.

Solon is the beginning of the “Scenic Highway” on Rt. 201, overlooking the Rangley Mountains, and well-know Sugarloaf/USA. Since the Solon town line marks the beginning of Maine’s Scenic Highway, many tourists will remember it over the coming years.  

Please look out for more interesting events and information coming soon from the Solon Bicentennial Committee.  Anyone having information or questions may contact us by checking the website, www.soloncelebrates.org or by sending an email to, soloncelebrates@gmail.com.