Settlement for the first few decades centered
around the "Yellow House" Tavern on the Military Road,
but rapidly spread throughout the Town. In the early 19th century,
the focus of activity shifted, down from the hilltops into the
valleys, where the pattern connection in the developing network
of Town roads, and the presence of adequate water power, caused
villages for trade and industry to develop. By the middle of the
19th century, the original settlement area of cabot Plains had
declined to scattered farms, the old "center" halfway
down the hill had been abandoned, and the community focus points
for church, school, trade and manufacturing activity established
in "Cabot Upper" and "Cabot Lower" villages.
Although, there were several small outlying mill-villages: West
Hill, Hookersville (or South Cabot), East cabot and Peterville,
which is now under Molly's Falls Reservoir.
This pattern has changed little to the present day, save for the
further decline in settlement of the more remote areas; that has
only lately reversed, and the further concentration of services
in cabot Upper Village.
Population grew rapidly in the early years, up to a peak of about
1400 around the time of the Civil War. During the later half of
the 19th century, population slowly declined, due to the out migration
of people to the west and the cities, and the abandonment of many
small and/or remote farms. With the decline of numerous small
sawmills, and other various local woodworking, processing and
manufacturing concerns after 1920, population loss was rapid,
reaching a low point in the 1960's.
Significant Buildings
Oldest House: Due to the population change and fire, there are
relatively few early buildings left in Cabot. One prime contender
for "oldest house" is the so called "Max Ducharme"
place at the crest of the Southwest Hill Road. Due the early settlement
pattern, however, it seems worthwhile that buildings nearer the
Bayley-Hazen Road be thoroughly researched.
Notable Homes; Other homes in Town of note which should be preserved
include the "Wiswell-Wells-Coyle" house in cabot Village,
which has an uncommonly fine and intact Victorian interior and
exterior (1886-1889); the "Judge Lamson" home on Elm
Street, which is a stately and well situated home of 1869; and
the "Town-Currier-Thompson- Spencer" house in Lower
Cabot, which is a regionally rare and classic example of "carpenter
gothic" Victorian style, with fine exterior detail built
about 1875.
Notable Public Buildings: The Lower cabot Schoolhouse, now used
as a home, is a handsome building. Built in 1880, it was altered
to include a kitchen, library and theater, and served for many
years as the focus for frequent and varied Lower cabot community
events. Its preservation and maintenance should be encouraged
due to its visual beauty and historic significance.
The West Hill Schoolhouse is owned by the cabot Historical Society
and is currently undergoing restoration. It should be kept in
good repair as an example of its type.
The Walbridge Schoolhouse has recently been purchased, moved from
the Walden Heights Road to the old settlement area on cabot Plains,
and extensively renovated into a most attractive vacation home
without any compromise of its proper appearance. It should be
commended as a fine example of adaptive re-use of a good building
that otherwise would have been lost.
The older and newer South cabot Schoolhouses are both historic
sites now in private hands. Their maintenance and restoration
should be encouraged.
The Old Village School or Brimblecombe Shop is the first major
cabot Village School, and was built in 1845 on land which is now
behind the United Church of Cabot. The building was bought by
the Independent Order of Good Templars who converted it from a
tenement into a meeting hall, with a paneled auditorium and stage
upstairs. On the ground floor was a kitchen, cloak room and dining
hall. Later, the Morrill Women's Relief Corps and the Modern Woodmen
had their meetings here. Then it was converted into a plumbing
shop. It has recently been purchased from the Brimblecombs by
the cabot Historical Society, which has restored the building
as a meeting hall and museum. it is recommended that the Town
promote the preservation and restoration of the property in any
practical manner.
The United Church of cabot was originally organized as the Congregational
Church in 1801. The present church house was built in 1849. The
Congregationalists and Methodists formed the United Church in
1928. The church building has a handsome late Victorian interior,
a fine Greek Revival exterior and forms the visual centerpiece
for the Village Common area. Its preservation should be encouraged.
Willey memorial Hall, the Town Hall, was built in 1921, the money
for it being raised by solicitation. Mr. C.W. Willey gave matching
funds. It was built of lumber cut and milled in Cabot. It was
owned and maintained for many years by the Judith Lyford Women's
Club, but was given to the Town of cabot in 1974. It contains
a stage and auditorium, a kitchen, dining room, club room and
lounge, the public library, the Town Clerk's office, and the museum
of the cabot Historical Society. The Hall should be kept available
for community service.
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