Monticello

Monticello Grange (2001)

The town’s has economy has traditionally been based on agriculture, especially potatoes. See photos. With the decline of potato farming, Monticello’s population has declined. The town’s has economy has traditionally been based on agriculture, especially potatoes, but also hay and oats in the 19th century. With the decline of potato farming, Monticello’s population has declined. It isocated about twelve miles north of Houlton on U.S. Route 1.

Monroe

sign: "Gesner Park, Town of Monroe" (2003)

Several small streams, marshes, and ponds fill the landscape in this still rural community. In 1880, with a population of 1,366, Monroe supported thirteen schoolhouses. See photos. In 2003 the Town office building also housed the library. Monroe is served by Maine Routes 139, between Brooks and Winterport, and 141 from Swanville.

Monmouth

Cumston Hall (2001)

The Theater at Monmouth, specializes in Elizabethan productions. See photos. Highmoor Farm is part of the University of Maine’s agricultural experiment station network. This growing town is located on U.S. Route 202 between Augusta and Lewiston, making it a convenient location for commuters to each city.

Mitchell, George J.

Mitchell and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, October 2010

George J. Mitchell (1933-  ) was born on August 20, 1933 in Waterville, where he spent his youth. After receiving his bachelor’s degree from Bowdoin College in 1954, he served as an officer in the U.S. Army Counter Intelligence Corps until 1956. In 1960 he earned a law degree from Georgetown University. After serving as…

Mitchell, Elizabeth

Elizabeth "Libby" Mitchell

Maine state legislator and attorney, has made history in the state legislature three times. In 1980 she was elected the first woman House Majority Leader; in 1996, the first woman Speaker of the House; and in 2006 Senate Majority Leader, only the third woman to serve in that position, preceded by Nancy Randall Clark in…

Minot

Minot a growing community in recent decades, has become a residential commuter area for nearby Lewiston-Auburn with its location just west of Auburn. West Minot village is tucked away at the northwest edge of the community at the junction of Maine routes 119 and 124, adjacent to Hebron. The village once had an active railroad station and a grist mill. The old grange hall, community church, and railroad station keep the flavor of earlier times.

Mining

Tourmaline from Mt. Mica Quarry

Mining has been significant part of the Maine economy at different times in different places, thanks to its geologic composition. Granite, slate, and gem extraction have been important local industries at certain points in the state’s history. The Mt. Mica mine in Paris, Maine was the site in 1820 where amateur naturalists Elijah Hamlin and…

Milo

House and Barn in Milo on Route 11 [Park Street] (2014)

Milo village lies just north of the junction of the Sebec and Piscataquis Rivers. The Pleasant River flows south through the town from Brownville to join the Piscataquis. Derby, on the east side of the Sebec River, is a service area for the Bangor and Aroostook Railroad.

Milliken, Seth Llewellyn

Lleweiillyn Seth Milliken (1831-1897) a U.S. Representative, was born in Montville on December 12, 1831. He attended the common schools and Waterville College [now Colby College]; was graduated from Union College, Schenectady, New York, in 1856. A member of the Maine House of Representatives in 1857 and 1858, he later moved to Belfast. He was…

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.