History

Founding

The County of Knox was incorporated on April 1, 1860. It was formed from portions of Lincoln and Waldo Counties, and its creation was primarily done to allow the public quicker access to county services. Knox County is the youngest of the counties in the State of Maine. Its namesake, General Henry Knox, a Revolutionary War General, is famed as the father of American army artillery and the first U.S. Secretary of War. General Knox was a resident of the Town of Thomaston from 1796 until he died in 1806.

Demographics

Knox County is on the western side of the Penobscot Bay region of Mid-coast Maine, nestled between Lincoln and Waldo Counties. It covers approximately 1,144 square miles, 365 square miles of land, and 779 square miles of water. There are approximately 700 linear miles of public roads and approximately 3,500 miles of coastline.

Knox County comprises 17 organized communities, 1 plantation, and 4 unorganized territories, with a combined population of approximately 40,600 residents. These communities are Appleton, Camden, Cushing, Friendship, Hope, Isle Au Haut, Matinicus Isle, North Haven, Owls Head, Ragged Island (Criehaven), Robinson's Rock Island, Rockland (county seat), Rockport, Saddle Island, Saint George, South Thomaston, Thomaston, Two Bush Island, Union, Vinalhaven, Warren, and Washington.

Historical Listing of Knox County Sheriff's

Patrick W. Polky - 2022 thru Present

Timothy K. Carroll - 2019 thru 2022

Donna L. Dennison - 2007 thru 2018

Daniel G. Davey - 1985 thru 2006

George J. Massie - 1981 thru 1985

Carlton V. Thurston - 1969 thru 1980

P. Willard Pease - 1948 thru 1968

Earl C. Ludwig - 1935 thru 1947

Charles M. Richardson - 1934 thru 1935

Frank Harding, Sr. - 1927 thru 1934

Raymond E. Thurston - 1921 thru 1926

J. Crosby Hobbs - 1915 thru 1920

A. J. Tolman - 1903 thru 1914

William N. Ulmer - 1896 thru 1902

James W. Gray - 1890 thru 1895

Irish S. Wilder - 1882 thru 1890

Edward C. Spalding - 1880 thru 1881

Samuel C. Shiperd - 1878 thru 1879

Angnstus T. Law - 1876 thru 1877

John F. Torry - 1874 thru 1875

Isaac Hobbs - 1872 thru 1873

Thomas B. Grose - 1870 thru 1873

John D. Rust - 1860 thru 1869

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