Shapleigh and Acton

Incorporated in 1785, Shapleigh and Acton once comprised a single town covering approximately 32,000 acres. Due to the several large lakes at its center, the land was divided into east and west parishes. After much controversy and disagreement, the west parish was incorporated as the Town of Acton in 1830. With its abundant timber, fertile farmland, and extensive bodies of water, the area grew quickly and prospered. Today many local farmers work the same land and live in the same homes as t...