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Maine was involved in a contested line-drawing event in 1839, but it wasn't about redistricting. When the Revolutionary War ended, negotiators failed to clearly define the boundary between Maine and the British-controlled Canadian province of New Brunswick. Treasured timber in the disputed territory sparked conflict, and the situation became tense. Both sides gathered troops. In 1842. however, the bloodless Aroostook War was resolved peacefully, and the Webster--Ashburton Treaty was signed by Secretary of State Daniel Webster and British Foreign Minister Alexander Baring, the first Baron Ashburton. Maine acquired about two-thirds of the disputed land.

--From "A Celebration of State Capitols, "by Richard R. Gibson and the Maine Historical Society.