After its success in achieving independence with the Treaty of Paris on September 3, 1783, the United States hoped to avoid conflict with European countries. However, in 1793 France declared war on Great Britain, both of which then began harassing American shipping along the east coast, including Maine, and in the West Indies. The French…
Eleazar Wheelock Ripley (1782-1839), brother of James Wheelock Ripley, was born in Hanover, N.H., April 15, 1782, was a U. S. Representative from Louisiana. He was graduated from Dartmouth College in 1800, studied law, and was admitted to the bar. Ripley began his law practice in Waterville. He was a member from Maine of the…
(1786-1835), brother of Eleazar Wheelock Ripley and a U.S. Representative, was born in Hanover, New Hampshire on March 12, 1786. He attended the common schools and Fryeburg Academy, studied law, was admitted to the bar and began his practice in Fryeburg. Ripley served in the War of 1812 and was a member of the Massachusetts…
Ripley Pond, once known as Rogers Pond, extends two miles north to south. Ripley Village is at the southern end. The outlet of the pond, Ripley Stream, was the site of two sawmills and a grist mill in the late 19th century. Ripley Village is at the southern end. West Ripley village is at the junction of West Ripley Road and Todds Corner Road.
Benjamin Randall (1789-1859) a U.S. Representative, was born in Topsham on November 14, 1789, he pursued an academic course, was graduated from Bowdoin College in 1809. He studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1812 and began his practice in Bath. During the War of 1812 in September 1814, Randall served in the State…
Named for Commodore Oliver H. Perry, a naval hero of the War of 1812, the town was incorporated even as the British still held Eastport only six miles away. Perry is the gateway, via Maine Route 190, to the Pleasant Point Passamaquoddy Indian Reservation located withing the town, and to the City of Eastport. Boyden Lake dominates the northwest portion of the town, while the southwest has miles of protected coves approaching Cobscook Bay.
(1784-1866) a U.S. Representative was born in York on December 19, 1784. He attended the common schools, was graduated from Dartmouth College in 1809, studied law, was admitted to the bar and began his practice in Parsonsfield in 1812. McIntire served in the War of 1812, recruiting a company that marched to the northern frontier. …
Located just south of Guilford on Maine Route 150, the town contains Harlow Pond and major access to Manhanock Pond, which it shares with Sangerville. Since 1970 the town’s population has almost doubled; the census numbers do not reflect the non-resident population.
Lubec contains the easternmost point in the United States: West Quoddy Head, on which the famous lighthouse of the same name sits. See video and photos. A State Park is nearby. Lubec is the birthplace of Myron Avery, a key to the creation of the Appalachian Trail and a founder of the Maine Appalachian Trail Club. The sardine industry important in the late 19th & early 20th centuries.
The town has substantial frontage on Brewer Lake, which is shared with neighboring Orrington. At East Holden, where Maine Route 46 crosses 1A, a commercial area has blossomed in recent years. See photos. Administrative offices, library, and museum of the Grand Lodge of Maine Masons are located at the crossroads.
The town is a suburb of Bangor lying just south of that city on U.S. Route 1A. It hosts a regional U.S. Post Office processing center. Hampden Academy was established in 1803. The Grange Hall, one of the first chartered Granges in 1880. See photos. While teaching here Stephen King was spending his spare time writing short stories and novels. It is the birthplace of social reformer Dorothea Dix. Settled in 1767 it was once known as Wheelersborough after the first settler, carpenter, and mill owner.
Joseph Hall (1793-1859) was a U.S. Representative born in Methuen, Massachusetts on June 26, 1793. He attended the common schools and Andover Academy in Andover, Massachusetts. He moved to Camden in 1809 and engaged in business. During the War of 1812 he served as ensign in 1814 in Colonel Forte’s regiment of the Massachusetts Militia,…
Rufus King Goodenow (1790-1863), brother of Robert Goodenow, was a U.S. Representative born in Henniker, Merrimack County, New Hampshire, April 24, 1790. He moved with his parents to Brownfield in 1802, and received just a limited schooling. He engaged in agricultural pursuits, and also followed the sea, having made several voyages to European ports. Goodenow…
is a popular center of “outlet” stores, including the legendary L. L. Bean, which has a virtual campus of retail buildings. See video and photos. It was named, say some, for Sir Andrew Freeport, a character in Addison’s Spectator Papers. Freeport-built vessels Lafayette and Blen were captured and burned by Confederate raiders. Arctic explorer Donald B. MacMillan lived in Freeport, as did a young John Gould, later author, humorist, and newspaper editor.
Overlooking the Sheepscot River and the Narrows at the entrance to Wiscasset Harbor, Fort Edgecomb’s tower has a 360 degree view of the water and countryside. See photos. Settlers arrived in 1744; the town incorporated in 1774. Population has more than doubling, during the decades 1970-2010.
(1751-1829) began a practice of medicine in 1772 in New Hampshire. Later he was inspired to join the fight for independence from Britain, and took part in the Battle of Bunker Hill. In the late 1700’s Dearborn (also spelled Dearbourn) was an early settler of the town of Monmouth, suggesting the name after the Battle…
In 1629 the British authorized a trading post at what was then Pentagoet. The post was destroyed by the French in 1631 and in 1634. Two forts are among the many historic sites. Maine Maritime Academy, and its training ship are located in the town.
Pemaquid Neck hosts the village of New Harbor, along with Pemaquid Beach and Pemaquid Light. The area, visited by Europeans by 1569, is said to be the home of the Indian Samoset, who greeted the Pilgrims in 1621 in English. New Harbor is a departure point for Monhegan Island. See video and photos.
(1788-1864) a U.S. Representative was born in Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, in 1788. He moved to Maine in 1804, and settled in Dixmont where he engaged in agricultural pursuits. He served as a captain in the War of 1812, a member of the State constitutional convention in 1820, and as a member of the Maine…
its historic district features a variety of architectural styles, primarily from the booming 19th century economy. Located on Penobscot Bay, its shipping and shipbuilding brought a population explosion between 1810 and 1850. In the mid-20th century, Belfast was home to the chicken broiler industry. It has transformed into a tourist destination, touting its historic structures. See video and photos.