Hall, Joseph

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,…

Hall, Joshua

Joshua Hall (courtesy Maine State Archives)

Joshua Hall was born on October 22, 1768 in Lewes, Delaware. After working as a Methodist preacher, Hall entered into politics. He served the town of Frankfort in the General Court (then in Massachusetts) 1814, 1816, 1818 and 1819, and was a member of the Maine House of Representatives in 1820-1821. A National Republican, Hall…

Hallowell

Just one of many early "Grand Houses" in Historic Hallowell (2019)

Early in the 19th century, Hallowell on the Kennebec has become an important commercial center in the District of Maine. River ice and shipbuilding were staple industries. Granite quarries were active and productive in the 19th century, with one on “Granite Hill.” Maine’s smallest city in area has a vital downtown with antique and book shops, along with restaurants. See photos. The first settler arrived in 1762; surveyor Ephraim Ballard, in 1776; his wife Martha, the next year. Maine’s first Anti-Slavery Society was founded here in 1833.

Hamlin

U.S. Inspection Station in Hamlin (2016)

a plantation in Aroostook County, organized in 1859 for election purposes and formally organized for general purposes in 1895. Named for Hannibal Hamlin, President Lincoln’s first Vice President, this northeastern community is bounded on the north by the St. John River. See map. The population is concentrated along the river on the Hamlin Road (U.S. Route 1A). Hamlin is subject to the Maine Land Use Regulation Commission, which has identified critical natural areas in the plantation.

Hamlin, Simon

Simon Hamlin (1866-1939) a U.S. Representative, was born in Standish (Richville) August 10, 1866. He attended the public schools, Gorham Normal School, and Bridgton Academy,  and taught school. Hamlin was graduated from Bowdoin College, in 1900 and became superintendent of the South Portland and Cape Elizabeth schools 1901-1925.City Clerk of South Portland in 1913, he…

Hammond

Location Map for Hammond

Hammond is west of Littleton and northwest of Houlton in southern Aroostook County, clearly “off the beaten path” of U.S. Route 1. However, it has sustained, and increased, its small population over four decades. Access to the public “Hammond Lot” is through the small village in the southeast near Houlton. B stream runs west to east through the southern portion of the township, from B Pond through B Dam in the east.

Hammons, David

David Hammons (1808-1888) a U.S. Representative, was born in Cornish on May 12, 1808 and attended the common schools. He studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1836 and commenced practice in Lovell. A member of the Maine State Senate in 1840 and 1841, he was elected as a Democrat to the Thirtieth Congress…

Hampden

Apparent former Dam Site for the Old Emerson Mill on Emerson Mill Road (2014)

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.

Hancock

Egypt Bay from Route 182 (2004)

Hancock Village lies south of the junction on a peninsular, with Taunton Bay on its northeast and Skillings River on the southwest. Further south are the villages of South Hancock and Hancock Point. See photos. A Wildlife Management Area near Egypt Bay is open to the public for primitive forms of recreation including hunting and trapping.

Hancock County

Map of Maine Counties and Baxter Park

Hancock County is one of two downeast coastal counties located east of the Penobscot River. It was formed when the extensive Lincoln County split on June 25, 1789 by adding Hancock and Washington counties. The westerly portion of the new Hancock County was eventually split off to form Waldo County. See an 1860 map of…

Hanover

Kiosk at the River, noting the Androscoggin River Trail, by the Mahoosuc Land Trust (2014)

Hanover is experiencing home and vacation property development at a more rapid pace. The small town is receiving more interest within the greater area as development in neighboring larger towns is spreading. As with many Maine communities, the number of full-time residents is declining as non-resident vacation homes increase.

Harmony

Higgins Stream above the Bridge on Route 154 in the Village, likely the site of an old mill (2014)

Harmony has substantial frontage on Great Moose Lake and the Sebasticook River which flows into it from Mainstream Pond. Boat launch facilities are available at the Lake and the Pond. See photos. U.S. Representative Clyde H. Smith (husband of Margaret Chase Smith) was born here.

Harpswell Center

Widgeon Cove Trail in Harpswell Center (2014)

During Harpswell’s early settlement and before a bridge connected it to the rest of the town, Harpswell Neck was the site of several small villages.  Harpswell Center hosted a church, the 1759 meetinghouse (later the town office), a 200-year plus old cemetery, and a 1793 cattle pound. The cemetery is  the site of “The Witch…

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…

Harpswell, West and South

Dick

Among Harpswell’s villages at the southern portion of Harpswell Neck is West Harpswell, about two miles south of Harpswell Center. South Harpswell begins about a mile farther, where Route 123 branches to Ash Point Road, Basin Point Road, as well as continuing to Potts Point. West Harpswell is home to Mitchell Field,  a 119-acre Town-owned…

Harrington

In 1858 the Jefferson Davis trail was cut to haul supplies and instruments to the top of Humpback Mountain for the U.S. Coast Survey. An elegant old church, adjoins the Gallison Memorial Library on U.S. 1. See photos. The town has sustained its population base when others in Washington County have declined. From 2000 to 2010 the number of residents expanded by nearly 14%.

Harris, Mark

Mark Harris (1779-1843) a U.S. Representative, was born in Ipswich, Massachusetts on January 27, 1779, and attended the common schools. He moved to Portland in 1800 and worked in retail sales. A member of the Massachusetts State Senate in 1816, he held several local offices. Elected to the Seventeenth Congress to fill the vacancy caused…