The first known settler of the region that was to become the town of Crystal was William Young, who moved to the area from Searsmont in 1839. Several others arrived that year, and shortly thereafter. Crystal was first organized as a plantation in February 21, 1878, then incorporated as a town on March 21, 1901.
The town is located between Patten and Island Falls along Maine Route 159, and contains the Thousand Acre Bog and Fish Stream, which runs through the town from Patten to Island Falls.