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is a census-designated place (CDP) in the town of Lisbon, located in Androscoggin County, Maine, United States. The population of Lisbon Falls was 4,420 at the 2000 census. It is included in both the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine Metropolitan New England City and Town Area.
Abenaki Indians called the falls Anmecangin, meaning "much fish." The area was once part of Little River Plantation, a portion of which was incorporated in 1799 as Thompsonborough, then renamed in 1802 after Lisbon, Portugal. In 1806, Lisbon annexed the remainder of Little River Plantation. With water power from the Androscoggin River, Lisbon Falls became a small mill town. Before it burned down in 1987, the Worumbo Mill was the main mill in Lisbon Falls. It had been incorporated in 1864, and was world famous for its woolens. Especially well known were its vicuna wool products, which became famous when President Eisenhower's Chief of Staff, Sherman Adams, received a vicuna sport coat as a gift from a wealthy industrialist and had to resign. The town's primary employment is at a gypsum mill and the nearby Bath Iron Works, a General Dynamics Company.
The horror writer Stephen King attended high school in Lisbon Falls. The fictional town of Castle Rock, which he used in several stories, is thought to be based on Lisbon Falls.
The town is also famous for its Moxie Days, a celebration of the Moxie soft drink, which is sold at Frank Anicetti's corner store. The store's official name is The Kennebec Fruit Company, but it is commonly referred to as The Moxie Store and is recognizable by its bright yellow paint job. Moxie Days in Lisbon Falls is attended by thousands from around the world each summer.
Lisbon Falls was also home to John Gould, famous Maine humorist and author. He was the author of "Farmer Takes a Wife", "The Fastest Hound Dog in the State of Maine" and "Tales From Harmony Home, What They Don't Tell You About Senior Living". In his book "On Writing", Stephen King recounts his experience working for John Gould at the Lisbon Enterprise, a weekly newspaper that John Gould published. (Although in the book, King does not know that it was the famous John Gould)