Plunkett Pond, locally known as Perry Pond, in Benedicta (2015)
Location Map for Benedicta
sign: Benedicta Maine
Benedicta is located in southern Aroostook County. It was established as a plantation on February 1, 1873 with a population of about 400.
Just over one-hundred years later, in 1987, it surrendered its plantation status and became an unorganized township administered by the State.
By 1970 it had reached a historic low of 177 residents. However, the last census, in 1980, shows a bounce upward to 225. As a township, it is no longer eligible for separate census counts.
Panoramic View of Mount Katahdin
Population Trend 1840-1980
In 1834, Irish settlers arrived in the area having been sent by Catholic bishop of Boston, Benedict Fenwick, thus the name of the community. David and Joseph Leavitt are reported to be the first to arrive. The settlers established farms and a Catholic parish – St. Benedict’s.
Benedicta is still a rural farming community just off I-95 and is closely related to the adjoining town of Sherman community.
Benedicta Catholic Cemetery (2012)
Benedicta Catholic Church (2012)
Benedicta Parish Center
(2012)
Canon at Parish Center (’12)
Farm in Benedicta (2012)
Farm in Benedicta (2012)
Benedicta Post Office (2012)
Benedicta Veterans Memorial (2012)
Additional resources
“Not a town but still a community.” Bangor Daily News. January 30, 2011. http://bangordailynews.com/2009/07/07/news/not-a-town-but-still-a-community/ (accessed July 2, 2012)
Varney, George J. A Gazetteer of the State of Maine. 1881. p. 108.