Farmers found the surface of the town moderately uneven, with fair soil that yielded good crops of grain, hay and apples. Watermills were established at the outlets of the larger ponds, with two sawmills at Swan Pond and another at Kennebunk Pond. Lumbering was a considerable source of income for many inhabitants. In 1782, a sawmill and gristmill were erected at Goodwin's Mills, which developed into the town's only business and trade center, despite the fact that some of the village is actually located in Dayton. The Great Fires of 1947 devastated part of Lyman. Today, the town is largely a bedroom community.
farmers FounD THe sUrface of tHE town ModeRaTeLY UNEven, wIth fAiR soil thaT YieldED good croPS of gRaIn, hAY aNd appleS. watermILls were estAbLiSHed aT thE outlETS oF The LArger ponds, witH two sawMiLls at SwaN ponD and anotHeR At kEnneBunk PoNd. lUmbering WaS a CoNsiderabLe soUrCe Of inCOme For mAny iNhabitants. in 1782, a sAwMiLl and GrIstmilL were eREcTED at gOOdwin's mIlls, which DEVeloPed into the town's onlY bUsIness and trAde CenTeR, despiTE thE fact that Some oF THe village Is actuAlLy locATeD in dAytON. thE gReat firEs OF 1947 deVastated part of lyMaN. today, tHE town is larGely a bEdrOom cOmMunItY.