History of Jay, Maine in Timeline
Jay is a town located in Franklin County, Maine. It is part of the Lewiston-Auburn metropolitan area and had a population of 4,620 as of the 2020 United States Census. The town encompasses the village of Chisholm.
1905: International Paper Establishes Otis Mill
International Paper built a mill known as the Otis mill on the opposite side of the river from its existing mill in 1905.
1965: International Paper Opens Androscoggin Mill
The Androscoggin Mill, an integrated pulp and finished paper goods plant, was opened by International Paper in 1965.
1987: Strike at International Paper's Androscoggin Mill
A major strike, initiated by members of the United Paperworkers' International Union, took place at International Paper's Androscoggin Mill in 1987.
1998: Wausau Paper Acquires Otis Mill
A group of investors sold the Otis mill to Wausau Paper in 1998.
March 2009: Wausau Paper Announces Otis Mill Closure
In March 2009, Wausau Paper revealed its decision to shut down the Otis mill.
May 2009: Otis Mill Ceases Operations
The Otis mill in Jay, Maine, permanently ceased its operations at the end of May 2009.
2012: Bond Vote for School Expansion Fails
The vote to approve the raising of a bond to fund the construction of a planned extension for Spruce Mountain High School failed in early 2012.
June 2016: First Consolidated Spruce Mountain High School Class Graduates
The first class of Spruce Mountain High School to experience a fully consolidated high school education graduated in June 2016.
2018: Jay Elementary School Renovation
Jay Elementary School underwent renovations in the summer of 2018.
April 15, 2020: Explosion at Androscoggin Mill
On April 15, 2020, an explosion occurred at the Androscoggin Mill, causing damage to two trucks from falling debris.