Milford

Sunkhaze Stream near U.S. Route 2 (2005)

The Bodwell Water Power Company Plant is a historic structure and landmark on the banks of the Penobscot River. The Sunkhaze Meadows National Wildlife Refuge combines bog, marsh, floodplain forest and the state’s second largest peatland. The town, across the river from Old Town, is a moderately growing residential area near the greater Bangor area and the University of Maine in Orono.

Milbridge

The town lies at the mouth of the Narraguagus River where it empties into the Bay of the same name. U.S. Route 1 splits here with Route 1A. The town lies at the mouth of the Narraguagus River where it empties into the Bay of the same name. Blueberries and the Wyman Company in particular are important elements of the local economy. Petit Manan National Wildlife Refuge is here.

Mexico

Stack of Paper Mill in Rumford near the Androscoggin River from the Mexico-Rumford Bridge (2013)

The town, across the Swift River and the Androscoggin River from Rumford, is home to many workers in the Rumford paper mill. See photos. In the 1960’s, the mill employed over 3,000 people; by 2009 it employed less than 600. The crash in this and other manufacturing has contributed to the sharp population decline Mexico has experienced since 1970.

Meteorites

Meteorite from NASA

At one time or another, almost everyone in Maine has glimpsed a swift little streak of light dashing across the night sky. These are meteors, commonly called falling or shooting stars. Because they arrive at very high speeds – anywhere from 7 to 46 miles per second – they vaporize by air friction in a…

Merrymeeting Bay

Location Map for Merrymeeting Bay

Merrymeeting Bay is a broad expanse of water at the confluence of the Kennebec and Androscoggin rivers, and four smaller rivers: the Eastern (from Dresden), the Abagadasset, the Cathance (both from Bowdoinham), and the Muddy (from Topsham). In the mid-twentieth century, the Androscoggin, which empties into Merrymeeting Bay, was the most polluted river in the…

Merrill

East Branch of the Mattawamkeag River in Merrill (2015)

The town is served by Maine Route 212 just west of Smyrna. The village of Smyrna Mills straddles the adjoining boundaries of the two towns. See photos. The Merrill Millstream Park was created from land, acquired in 1997, between the East Branch of the Mattawamkeag River and Route 212.

Mercer

sign: "Mercer Bog, Wildlife Management Area . . . ." (2016)

With forty-one residents in 1800, Mercer exploded to a population of 1,432 (its peak) by 1840. Soon thereafter, Maine’s first starch factory was established. The library and the Grange are two surviving organizations formed in the late 19th century as the population continued to decline. See photos. The town lies on U.S. Route 2 just west of Norridgewock with frontage on North Pond at its southeast corner.

Medford

Apparent Ruins of an Old Dam on Cold Stream in Medford (2005)

Medford Center village is the site of the very modest town office, the park with the veterans memorial, and a small church. See photos. Cold Stream, which runs through the village, provided power for a grist mill in the nineteenth century.

Michaud, Michael H.

Michael H. Michaud 2012

  Michael Michaud (1955- ) was a U.S. Representative first elected in 2002, then re-elected in 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010 and 2012. He was a Democratic State Senator Democrat from East Millinocket, unanimously elected Maine’s 107th Senate President on December 6, 2000 under the State Senate’s unique power sharing arrangement resulting from a first-ever partisan…

Meddybemps

Meddybemps Lake from Route 191 (2004)

A boat launch accommodating trailers is located in Meddybemps village at the south end of the lake, which was once the site of a Native American village. Meddybemps Heath is located on near the lake in the northwest corner of the township. See photo. The Ntolonapemk, Eastern Surplus Superfund Site is located in the town.

Mechanic Falls

Ever since a paper mill was established on the Little Androscoggin River in 1850, the town has been part of Maine’s paper making economy. See photos. One of the inventors of the Stanley Steamer automobile, Freeland O. Stanley, built some models here and was the town’s first high school principal.

Meader, Abbott Vaughn

Abbot Vaughan Meader (1936-2004) was born in Waterville on March 20, 1936, using Vaughn Meader as his professional name in the entertainment industry. After his father’s death he was, according to his wife, sent to a brutal children’s home in Massachusetts. Thereafter he attended several schools, including five high schools, before graduating. Meader was best…

McIntire, Clifford Guy

(1908-1974) a U.S. Representative was born in Perham on May 4, 1908. He attended the public schools of Perham and Washburn High School, and was graduated from the University of Maine College of Agriculture at Orono in 1930. McIntire engaged in farming at Perham from 1930 to 1952. He was an appraiser, supervisor, and regional…

McGillicuddy, Daniel John

Daniel John McGillicuddy (1859-1936) a U.S. Representative was born in Lewiston on August 27, 1859. He attended the common schools and was graduated from Bowdoin College in 1881, studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1883 and commenced practice in Lewiston. A member of the Maine House of Representatives in 1884 and 1885, McGillicuddy…

McCrate, John Dennis

John Dennis McCrate (1802-1879) a U.S. Representative, was born in Wiscasset October 1, 1802. He was graduated from Bowdoin College in 1819, studied law, was admitted to the bar and practiced in Damariscotta 1823-1835 and in Wiscasset 1835-1850. A member of the Maine House of Representatives 1831-1835, he was a customs collector from 1836 to1841.…