Founding

Caldwell was founded in 1828 as a “half-way farm” on the eastern side of the St. Paul’s River about nine miles from Monrovia. Because the land was harder to clear and lacked trees suitable for building houses, Caldwell’s founders received more government help than those at Millsburg, which was starter around the same time.

Despite those disadvantages, a visitor in 1828 expected residents to grow enough food to feed themselves within a year.

Footnote: J. W. Lugenbeel, “Sketches of Liberia – No. 2,” African Repository, July 1850, p. 207; “From Liberia,” African Repository, May 1828, 82; “From Liberia,” African Repository, June 1828, p. 127.