Eastern Phoebe

Eastern Phoebe in Harpswell (2011)

This seven-inch gray bird with brown wings returns to southern Maine in early spring to build its nest, often in the usual place unless it has been destroyed. The insect eating Phoebe makes its news under overhanging structures, such as eaves, second floor decks, and bridges. It perches on branches or posts awaiting the unsuspecting…

T2 R9 WELS

Omaha Beach with Campsites near the West Branch of the Penobscot River (2017)

          This township lies at the base of Baxter State Park, encompassing the Park’s south access road from Millinocket and the eastern end of The Golden Road. Togue Pond Gate is the south entrance to the Park. The West Branch of the Penobscot River flows through its western region and includes…

Lang Township

North of Dallas Plantation, Lang Township (originally T2 R3 WBKB) is a rural area that has one major improved road, Maine Route 16, and the short Kennebago Road. While sources are sketchy, its population in 1870 was 36, in 1880, 31. A 1936 topo map appears to show about 15 buildings.  U.S. Census does not…

Ripogenus Dam

Ripogenus (Abenaki for “gravel) is the name given for the dam and the lake created by it.  Ripogenus Lake is essentially a human-made extension of Chesuncook Lake.         The dam [N45° 52′ 47.64″  W69° 10′ 32.56″], completed in 1920, provides water power for McKay power station through an underground tunnel. In 1989…

State Budget by Department 2014-2015

Major State Agencies accounted for 98.7 percent of the total State budget. The $8 billion budget for the major agencies in fiscal year 2014-2015 allocated 47% of its funds for Human Services, 21% for education, and 9% for Transportation. Health & Human Services $3,769,766,585 Transportation Department $678,279,421 Administration & Finance $373,112,863 Labor Department $312,440,538 Defense,…

Bass, George H.

(1843- c. 1926) In 1911 Wilton was a thriving community whose merchants and factories supplied a wide variety of goods and services from automobiles to granite and steel. Like many of its contemporaries, Wilton had a free public library, an electric light and power company and a private academy. The town’s development was greatly facilitated…