Garfield

North Maine Woods Checkpoint on American Realty Road in Garfield Plantation (2015)

has had population loss from 1970 through 2010. Realty Road runs east-west across the northern portion beginning at the Ashland town line. A hunting camp and lodge, and a section of Maine Public Reserved Land, are here. See map. Aroostook County’s Machias River flows through the plantation to join the Aroostook River in Ashland.

Gardner, Obadiah

Gardner (1852-1938) a Senator from Maine, born near Port Huron, Michigan on September 13, 1852, moved to Union with his parents in 1864. He attended the common schools, Eastman’s Business College, Poughkeepsie, New York, and Coburn Classical Institute in Waterville. He engaged in the lumber, lime, and creamery business in Rockland, and in agricultural and…

Gardiner

The Oaklands. Robert Hallowell Gardiner estate (2017)

on the Kennebec River, it is named for Dr. Sylvester Gardiner, an early proprietor and developer who brought settlers too the area in 1754. See photos. Notable residents included Revolutionary War General Henry Dearborn, Dr. Gideon Stinson Palmer, author Laura E. Richards, and poet Edwin Arlington Robinson.

Fuller, Thomas James Duncan

(1808-1876) a U.S. Representative was born in Hardwick, Caledonia County, Vermont, March 17, 1808. He attended the common schools, studied law, was admitted to the bar and began his practice in Calais. Elected as a Democrat to the Thirty-first and to the three succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1849-March 3, 1857), Fuller was chairman of the…

Fryeburg

White Mountains in New Hampshire across a Field in Fryeburg on Route 113 (2013)

a town in Oxford County, incorporated in 1777 on the site of an Indian settlement known as Pequawket. See photos. Daniel Webster was a teacher at Fryeburg Academy in 1802. Native American Molly Ockett was born about 1740 into the Pigwacket tribe. The Battle of Lovewell’s Pond was one long day in 1725, during which the leader of the white volunteers, Captain Lovewell, was slain along with the Indian leader Pangus.

Frye Island

Beach on Frye Island

The Island once had been governed by a semi-autonomous village corporation. It is primarily a summer vacation home destination. See photos. The Frye Island Ferry operates between the end of Raymond Neck, in the town of Raymond, to the ferry dock on the island. Vehicles, supplies, and people make the trip in about fifteen minutes every half hour.

Friendship

The Brick School, 1850-1923, in Friendship (2005)

Settled in 1750, its boat building heritage began soon after and became best known for its specialty – the Friendship Sloop. See photos. The town, whose islands extend far out into Muscongus Bay, hosts the Friendship Sloop Races each summer, organized by the Friendship Sloop Society. The harbor, with its wharfs, moorings, and public landing, is a central economic and social focal point for the community.

Frenchville

St. John River Valley in Frenchville (2003)

in Aroostook County, incorporated in 1869 under the name Dickeyville. The name was change to Frenchville in 1871 in recognition of the French-Acadian population of the town. Its northern border is with Canada along a great bend in the St. John River. A potato farming community, it has lost population over the past three decades. The Frenchville Historical Society’s “Caboose” is part of a railroad station full scale exhibit.

French, George

Schooner and Children at Stonington (c. 1940)

George French (1882-1970) was the recipient of numerous American and foreign awards for his distinguished photography. His work was selected by such firms as American Bell Telephone Company for use in posters, and for many years his photographs were familiar to Americans, as they were reproduced on calendars, postcards and various forms of commercial advertising.…

French, Ezra

(1810-1880) a U.S. Representative was born in Landaff, Grafton County, New Hampshire, September 23, 1810. He attended the common schools and pursued an academic course. He studied law in Bath and Plymouth, New Hampshire, was admitted to the bar in 1833 and began his practice in Portland and Waldoboro. French moved to Damariscotta (then a…

Freeport

L.L. Bean Stores Campus in Freeport (2012)

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.

Freedom

Farm with pond, barns, and silos on Route 137 in Freedom (2001)

in Waldo County, settled in 1794 by Revolutionary War soldier Stephen Smith, was incorporated in 1813.The three acre Freedom Park, near the center of town, occupies the original grounds of Freedom Academy. Sandy Pond, also known as Freedom Pond, has a boat launch for easy access. Freedom village is at its northeast tip.

Frankfort

Named for the German city, and bombed by the British in 1814, Frankfort was once a shipbuilding community on the Penobscot River. Granite cutting and shipping was an important industry up to the early 20th century. Mount Waldo supplied the product and Marsh Bay, in the Penobscot River, provided the means of shipping it.

Foster, Stephen Clark

Stephen C. Forster, courtesy Maine State Archives

(1799-1872) a U.S. Representative was born in Machias on December 24, 1799. He attended the common schools, learned the blacksmith’s trade and subsequently became a shipbuilder. Foster was member of the Maine House of Representatives from 1834 to 1837 and a member of the Maine State Senate in 1840, and served its president. In 1847…

Fort Williams

Sign: Brief History of Fort Williams (2001)

Fort Williams is located in Cape Elizabeth and its grounds constitute Fort Williams City Park. In 1873 construction had begun on earthworks fortifications and was known as the Battery at Portland Head. By 1892, concrete batteries had been placed over the original structure. It remained a sub-post of Fort Preble (near Southern Maine Community College)…

Fort William Henry

Fort William Henry (2001)

is located in the town of Bristol, Lincoln County, in the Pemaquid area. Built in 1692, it was destroyed in 1696 by the French under the leadership of Baron de Castin. The tower, and parade grounds are replicas built in 1908. Three forts have stood on essentially the same grounds. After and Indian attack destroyed…

Fort Pownal

Penobscot Bay at the mouth of the Penobscot River near Fort Pownall (2001)

stood on Fort Point in Stockton Springs on the Penobscot River. In 1626 the English set up a trading post at the mouth of the Penobscot River. The French and Indians attacked with great ferocity. In ten years it was abandoned. A crude fortification was build in 1640 and successful enough so that one hundred…