Weather

Ice Storm, 1998, in Sherman

in Maine is famously varied and changeable, and at times, severe. The coast, moderated by the ocean, often has local weather far different from that in the western mountains or the expanses of Aroostook County. Adding to the complexity, global warming may be affecting our climate, as may be indicated by an increasing number of…

Wayne

has been characterized as “composed primarily of residences, small farms, seasonal and vacation homes, and limited retail and commercial development.” See photos. The main village lies between Pocasset Lake and Androscoggin Lake on Maine Route 133. Other substantial ponds add to the town’s recreational attractions.

Waterville

Waterville is a regional service center for northern Kennebec and southern Somerset counties. See photos. Its downtown and the Kennedy Memorial Drive commercial strip provide business and professional services. It has been home to several U.S. Senators and Maine governors. Colby College is here.

Waterford

Crooked River in East Waterford (2003)

The main village (see photos) lies on the shore of Keoka Lake, and State Routes 35, 37 and 118 provide easy access to lakesides, and to the larger communities to the south. The Artemis Ward House commemorates the birthplace of Charles Farrar Browne, the 19th century humorist. North Waterford, at the junction of Routes 35 and 118, is home to the town’s fairgrounds. The general store there provides gas and basic groceries.

Washington

The 550-acre, four mile long Washington Pond is a major attraction for summer recreation. Also known as Medomak Lake, it is home to the Madomak Family Camp, started in 1904 as a boys camp. See amateur film. Razorville is a village on the southwest end of Washington Pond. The main village is near the eastern shore of the lake.

Washburn, Cadwallader Colden

(1818-1882), brother of Elihu Benjamin Washburn,   Israel Washburn Jr., and   William Drew Washburn, was born in   Livermore on April 22, 1818. (See more on the Washburn family at Norlands.) No other family ever sent four brothers to the United States Congress from four different states–or from seven brothers produced four congressmen, two governors, one senator,…

Washburn

Location Map for Washburn

Long a potato growing and processing area, it lies northwest of Presque Isle on Route 164, which curves through the town and links it with Caribou to the northeast. See photos. Washburn’s main village is in the southwest near the Aroostook River, which crosses its southern portion. The villages of Bugbee, Crouseville, and Adeline are along the river on Route 164.

Warren

Farm on Route 235 on the shore of Seven Tree Pond (2003)

The village lies off the heavily traveled highways: U.S. Route 1 and Maine Routes 90, 131, and 235. See photos. Adjacent to Thomaston, long a synonym for “State Prison,” Warren is now the site of its replacement. Meadow Mountain is a 259 acre town forest that serves as a nature preserve.

Walton, Charles Wesley

Charles Wesley Walton, courtesy Maine State Museum

Charles Walton (1819-1900) a U.S. Representative, was born in Mexico, Maine on December 9, 1819. He attended the common schools and was instructed at home and by private tutors. Walton studied law, was admitted to the bar in Oxford in 1841 and began his practice in Mexico in 1843. He also practiced law in Dixfield,…

Waltham

Maine Route 179 parallels the east side of Graham Lake. The frontage on this nine-mile lake, which also touches Ellsworth, Mariaville, and Fletchers Landing, has encouraged some developers to consider creating subdivisions near its shores. Route 200, also known as Cave Hill Road, connects the community to Eastbrook.

Wallagrass

Fish River at Soldier Pond Village in Wallagrass (2018)

Settled by Acadians, the town lies just south of Fort Kent on the Fish River, whose Eagle Lake outlet is in the southern portion of the township. See photos. Wallagrass Station village is located at the southern end of the town, where Station Road leads to the shore of Eagle Lake.

Wales

Rolling Hills in Rural Wales (2002)

The early settlers arrived in about 1773, some of whom came from Wales in Britain. See photos.The gentle hills in the town reflect the landscape of the old country. With access to Sabattus Pond, the town is within easy reach of Lewiston-Auburn via Maine Route 132, and of Gardiner by way of Routes 9 and 126.

Waldo

Working Farm on the Waldo Station Road (2005)

Located just northwest of Belfast, the town (see photos) is served by Maine Routes 7, 131, 137 and 203. The Belfast and Moosehead Lake Railway passes through to its terminus in Belfast. The Railway runs summer service between Unity Station and Belfast for sightseeing and “just for fun.”

Waite

Logging Equipment and Trucking Company in Waite (2013)

Year Population 1970 70 1980 130 1990 119 2000 105 2010 101 Geographic Data N. Latitude 45:23:00 W. Longitude 67:38:00 Maine House District 141 Maine Senate District 6 Congress District 2 Area sq. mi. (total) 43.2 Area sq. mi. (land) 43.1 Population/sq.mi. (land) 2.3 County: Washington Total=land+water; Land=land only [WATE] is a town in Washington…

Wade

Town of Wade on the North Side of the Aroostook River in South Wade (2015)

Once known as Garden Creek Plantation and Dunntown, Wade is just northwest of Presque Isle on the Aroostook River. North Wade is a small settlement on Maine Route 228 in the northeast corner of the township. The Aroostook River in Wade is part of one of Maine’s “Focus Areas of Statewide Ecological Significance.”

Woodpeckers

Maine Resident Woodpeckers Four species of woodpeckers are among the birds that inhabit Maine. The essence of being a woodpecker is the use of its sharp, pointed bill for digging into trees for nesting and extracting insects. Three share the title “woodpecker”: the Downy, Hairy, and Pileated. These three are year-round residents throughout the state…

Willets and Yellowlegs

Greater Yellowlegs in Harpswell

Willets and yellowlegs are birds similar in appearance, as are the greater and lesser yellow legs. Greater Yellowlegs As you have already guessed, “yellow legs” are a distinguishing feature of this long-billed shorebird.  It differs from the lesser yellowlegs by it size (14 inches compared to 10 1/2 inches) and by its longer bill (about…

Webster Ashburton Treaty

Daniel Webster

Before his illustrious career, Daniel Webster was a teacher at Fryeburg Academy in 1802 before pursuing his legal profession. Daniel Webster, Secretary of State, representing the United States, negotiated a new boundary between Maine and what is now Canada with Alexander Baring, Lord Ashburton, “Her Britannic Majesty’s Minister Plenipotentiary on Special Mission.” The treaty, signed…