The land was granted on July 14, 1802 by the Massachusetts General Court to John Lowell. Known as T2 R5 NWP, or Township 2, Range 4, North of the Waldo Patent, it was incorporated on February 16, 1811 as New Charlestown, to distinguish it from Charlestown when Massachusetts included the province of Maine. But in 1820, Maine achieved statehood, so any confusion between the two ceased. Sawmills were established to operate by water power at the streams. But Charleston was primarily an agricultural town. Its large farms were noted for raising horses and cattle. In 1837, the Higgins Classical Institute was founded. By 1870, the community had a population of 1,191. Between 1901-1930, the Bangor Railway & Electric Company operated trolleys on an electric railway between Bangor and Charleston. In late 1950, construction began on the Charleston Air Force Station, part of the Aerospace Defense Command. Known as Bull Hill for its location in the town, the station was completed in early 1951, and fully-manned and operational in 1952. After the base closed, it was transformed into the Charleston Correctional Facility, which opened in 1980.
