Bowdoinham

settled originally as early as 1623, but Indian raids precluded a permanent presence. Reportedly named for Dr. Peter Bowdoin, an early proprietor, it occupies the western shore of Merrymeeting Bay. The Cathance River runs through it and into the Bay. A fast growing community, Bowdoinham has attracted commuters and retirees to its still rural open spaces. See photos.

Lewiston Historic Register

Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Lewiston (2001)

National Register of Historic Places – Listings – Lewiston Photos by James Henderson, and edited text are from nominations to the National Register of Historic Places researched by Maine. Historic Preservation Commission. Full text and National Register photos are at https://npgallery.nps.gov/nrhp Androscoggin Mill Block [269-271 Park Street] Due primarily to demands for an increasing labor…

Historic Preservation Commission, Maine

Maine Historic Preservation Commission (2001)

The Commission is responsible for the identification, evaluation, and protection of Maine’s significant cultural resources as directed by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. It is located at 55 Capitol Street in Augusta. It consists of eleven members as follows: The Commissioner of Transportation or  representative, the Commissioner of Conservation or representative and 9…

Harpswell, North

Otter Brook Preserve Trails in North Harpswell (2018)

In Harpswell, this is the northern most village on Harpswell Neck, the others being West and South Harpswell. It centers on the intersection of Route 123 from Brunswick and the Mountain Road, which links North Harpswell to the islands via the Ewing Narrows Bridge. Near the intersection: the Merriconeag Grange, the Vegetable Corner grocery, a…

Milton Township

Corn Field in Milton Township on Route 232 in Autumn (2014)

This small township is surrounded by organized towns: Rumford, Bethel, Woodstock and Peru – all in Oxford County. About one mile of Route 232 is in the western corner and serves as the “Main Street” serving Milton Village. Several mountains, most of which are under 2,000 feet high, mark the landscape: Bean, Bryant, Chamberlain, Davis,…

Fuller, Melville W.

Maine’s only native to serve as Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Count was born in Augusta on January 11, 1833. Melville Weston Fuller was appointed to that post by president Grover Cleavland, taking the oath of office on October 8, 1888. After graduating from Bowdoin College Phi Beta Kappa in 1853, he studied…

Perkins, Frances

Frances Perkins Center on Main Street in Damariscotta (2014)

While she was born in Boston, Frances Perkins considered her family’s “Brick House” in Newcastle to be her home. As the National Park Service observed in its National Landmark Nomination document: The Perkins Homestead in Newcastle, Maine, is nationally significant as the ancestral home and lifelong summer residence of Frances Perkins, U.S. Secretary of Labor…

Killdeer

  [click  photos to enlarge ] This “shorebird” was far from salt water in a rough open area in Stacyville, northern Penobscot County near Aroostook County.  That was in late May 2012, a bit earlier than when Killdeer are normally expected to be in Maine for the summer breeding season. The changing climate may have…

Lunksoos Area

The Lunksoos [pronounced lunksue] area of T3 R7 WELS includes stunning views of the East Branch of the Penobscot River and historic sites such as the Hunt Farm and Lunksoos Camps. In 2014 it was also the local headquarters of Elliotsville Plantation foundation’s “Lunksoos Base Camp.” Not to be confused with Elliotsville Township (once a…

Trout Brook Township Campground Baxter Park

Trout Brook from the north side of the bridge on the Perimeter Road in Baxter State Park (2007)

This township is home to Trout Brook Farm Campground in Baxter State Park. A park ranger station is here just off the northern most reach of the park’s Tote Road. Trout Brook flows through in a northeasterly direction to enter Grand Lake Matagamon. The brook crosses the Tote Road near the entrance to the South Branch Ponds. Forest products are harvested in the Scientific Forest Management Area.

Nesourdnahunk Township

North Branch of Trout Brook on the Tote Road (2014)

Wholly within Baxter State Park, also known as T5 R10 WELS, it contains five mountains over 1,700 feet. Trout Brook flow through. Dwelley Pond is it only pond. The Dwelley Pond Trail follows the old Tote Road north to south from near Burnt Mountain to near Strickland Mountain for day hiking, canoeing and fishing.

T1 R6 WELS

Sunset Over Mount Katahdin at Salmon Stream Lake (2014)

Most travelers see the township from the scenic view on I-95. The attraction is a view of Mount Katahdin over 659-acre Salmon Stream Lake.  The outlet of Little Salmon Stream Lake, to the northeast, flows into Salmon Stream Lake. A section of Penobscot Indian Territory is in the northwest corner of the township, along the…

Peaks Island

An Informal Stone Art Site along Seashore Avenue on Peaks Island

The Island is a City of Portland neighborhood in Casco Bay, accessible by ferry from the terminal on Portland’s waterfront.  The brief trip carries freight, vehicles, bicycles and tourists. Little Diamond Island and Great Diamond Island are just to the west. While the population is about 900, the number of people on this 720-acre island…