In Pursuit Of Maine: October 5, 2014 - The Cattle Pound

Sunday, October 5, 2014

October 5, 2014 - The Cattle Pound

This is a cattle pound in Pownal, Maine. It was built in 1818 to hold wandering cattle inside who had somehow gotten away from their owners. The cows were kept there until the owner came to collect them. He would have to pay a fee, called “poundage,” to get his cows back.

I can’t help but giggle and compare the cattle pound to a “boot” being placed on a car tire when it’s parked illegally. We say that our car has been “impounded,” and like cattle owners of long ago, we must pay a fine to get our car back/get the “boot” off. This happens because we have placed our car where it shouldn’t be, perhaps blocking the entrance to others or causing delivery problems. Long ago, wandering cattle could really wreak havoc on a farm/garden, causing great distress to the owner and many problems.

It’s interesting to me that the more things change, the more they stay the same. All things considered, though, I’d rather have the cattle than the car.

Cattle Pound built in 1818, Pownal, Maine.

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