McIntire, Rufus

(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. …

Murch, Thompson Henry

Thompson H. Murch (1838-1886) a U.S. Representative, was born in Hampden on March 29, 1838 and attended the common schools. He spent his early life at sea, learned the stonecutter’s trade and engaged in that occupation for eighteen years. He became editor and publisher of the Granite Cutters’ International Journal in 1877 and secretary of…

Moxie Gore

Small Village on the Lake Moxie Road in Moxie Gore (2019)

Moxie Gore is an unorganized township in Somerset County bordering the east bank of the Kennebec River just above The Forks Plantation.  Its odd shape earns it the name “Gore.” Moxie Stream is the outlet for Moxie Pond, which straddles The Forks and East Moxie Township to the southeast. Before joining the Kennebec River, the…

Movies

Pizza Parlor in Skowhegan Redesigned

“These are feature films with Maine-related themes or locations. Please note that many titles are not known to survive, or are not available.” — Karan Sheldon, Northeast Historic Film As the Earth Turns, 1934 Back to the Woods, 1918 Beans of Egypt Maine, The, 1994 Bed and Breakfast, 1992 Behind the Door, 1919 Behind Masks,…

Mountains

The Knife Edge on Katahdin

Maine has 711 mountains over 1,000 feet high. These are the 20 highest, including the vertical distance to be climbed from base to peak.  Actual hiking distances are, of course, longer. Name County Height Above Sea Level Climb Above Base Katahdin Piscataquis 5,267 4,674 Sugarloaf Franklin 4,237 2,931 Old Speck Oxford 4,180 2,690 Crocker Franklin…

Mount Vernon

The village of West Mount Vernon, with a small church and fire department, is located at the north end of Echo Lake and the south end of Taylor Pond. See photos. In 1926, the novelist Erskine Caldwell moved to an old farmhouse in Mount Vernon, where he lived until the early 1930’s. The main village, Mount Vernon, is in the north of the town on Minnehonk Lake.

Moscow

Moscow where Benedict Arnold

The town hosts the Wyman Hydroelectric Station, with its impressive Wyman Dam and its consequence: Wyman Lake, a bulge in the Kennebec River extending about six miles to the north between Moscow and Pleasant Ridge. See photos. Bingham and Moscow constitute a single population center at the junction of U.S. Route 201 (leading north to the Province of Quebec).

Morse Mountain

Sign Just Off Route 216 (2010)

The Bates-Morse Mountain Conservation Area is located off Route 216 in Phippsburg. A parking lot is available but no restroom facilities are provided. Managed by Bates College, it includes a spectacular view of the winding Sprague River exiting the Sprague River Salt Marsh and entering the Atlantic Ocean. According to Andrea Brann, In 1793, Daniel…

Morse, Freeman Harlow

Freeman Harlow Morse (1807-1891) a U.S. Representative, was born in Bath February 18, 1807; attended private schools and the academy in Bath. He was a carver of figureheads for ships. A member of the Maine House of Representatives (1840-1844), he was elected as a Whig to the Twenty-eighth Congress (March 4, 1843-March 3, 1845). Mayor…

Morrill, Samuel

Samuel Plummer Morrill, (1816-1892) a U.S. Representative, was born in Chesterville on February 11, 1816, attended the common schools and Farmington Academy. He studied theology; was ordained a minister and held pastorates in Farmington from 1848 to 1853. Elected in 1857 for a five-year term as register of deeds for Franklin County, he was reelected…

Moro Plantation

Katahdin Lodge on Route 11 in Moro Plantation (2014)

is located about 24 miles west of Houlton, and north of Patten on Maine Route 11. See photos. Rockabema Lake, the source of the West Branch of the Mattawamkeag River, occupies the north central portion of the township. A Scattering of small ponds lie just north of the lake, providing a fine source of fishing. The heavily wooded area supports hunting, guides, and hunting lodges.

Moran, Edward

Edward Carleton Moran, Jr. (1894-1967) a U.S. Representative was born in Rockland on December 29, 1894. He attended the public schools and was graduated from Bowdoin College in 1917. During the First World War, he served from July 25, 1917 to March 14, 1919, in the Regular Army as a first lieutenant in Battery A,…

Moose River

Historic Samuel Holden House [remaining portion] (2019)

Jackman’s Main Street (U.S. Route 201/Maine Route 6) merges with that of Moose River. See photos. The two towns, otherwise isolated, share a single community. The historic Moose River Congregational Church is in Jackman. The Town Office and most commercial activity lies along U.S. Route 201/Maine Route 6. The Scott Road (or the Moose River Road) proceeds east into the heart of the township.

Moosehorn Refuge

Sign: Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge (2004)

The Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge, a nature preserve, was established in 1937 as a refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife. It is the first in a chain of migratory bird refuges that extends from Maine to Florida. The refuge consists of two units. The Baring Unit covers 17,200 acres and is…

Moore, Ruth

Weir in a Cove on Beals Island (2004)

1903 Birth, July 21 on Gott’s Island at the mouth of Blue Hill Bay. 1917 Goes to the mainland; stays with relatives while attending Ellsworth High School. 1921 Graduates from Ellsworth High, attends New York State College for Teachers in Albany. Her writing talent is recognized and encouraged by an English professor. 1925 After college,…

Moor, Wyman Bradbury Seavy

Wyman Moore, courtesy Maine State Museum

Wyman Seavy B. Moor (1811-1869) a U.S. Senator from Maine was born in Waterville, November 11, 1811. He attended the town school, prepared for college at China Academy, and graduated from Waterville College. Moor taught school for one year in St. Stephen’s, New Brunswick, and then returned to his native town to study law. Later…

Montville

The town seems a series of “corners” villages on Maine Route 220 from north to south: Poland’s, Bean’s, White’s, McFarland’s, and Clark’s. See photos. The Frye Mountain (Gene Letourneau) Wildlife Management Area is located in the northeast corner of the town near Poland’s Corner village. This growing community is easily linked to Belfast and Augusta via Maine Route 3.