in York County, incorporated 1653 as Cape Porpoise. See photos. After early white settlers were driven away by Indian raids, it was reorganized as Arundel in 1718. In 1821 its name was changed to Kennebunk Port. It has long been an attraction for tourists and summer residents. Well-known residents included writers Booth Tarkington and Kenneth L. Roberts.
On August 2, 1909, Mr. Edwin A. Grozier, Publisher of the Boston Post, a newspaper, forwarded to the Board of Selectmen in 700 towns* (no cities included) in New England a gold-headed ebony cane with the request that it be presented with the compliments of the Boston Post to the oldest male citizen of the…
The U.S. Census identifies “Urbanized Areas” (Urbanized) and “Urban Clusters” (Clusters), reporting population and the number of housing units (Housing). Data is extracted from the Maine 2010 Population Housing Unit Counts, 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Issued August 2012.
Precipitation normals are calculated by taking the mean (average) of the precipitation in each month, over a thirty-year period. Sixty-one locations reported on this aspect of Maine’s climate for the period 1971 through 2010. Data reflects the average in the number of days with a minimum of .01 inches of precipitation for a location. See…
Here are the coldest to the warmest areas of the state, based on 49 reporting stations. Data, collected by month for thirty years, are calculated by recording the difference between the mean temperature for a month, and 65 degrees as the base temperature. (See detailed definition below.) HDD = heating degree days; CDD = cooling…
The following heating and cooling degree day normals by month for forty-nine locations in Maine, one aspect of the climate, are calculated by recording the difference between the mean temperature for a month and 65 degrees as the base temperature. (See detailed definition below.) HDD = heating degree days; CDD = cooling degree days; AP…
Lobster landings occur all along Maine’s long coastline. Stonington in Hancock County is by far the port receiving the largest amount and value of this commercial fishery. Lobster’s $435 million plus ex-vessel value accounted for 77% of the total value of commercial fish landings in 2011. Historical landings have increased substantially in recent years. The…
Stanley Tupper was a Republican U.S. Representative; born in Boothbay Harbor, Lincoln County January 25, 1921; educated in Boothbay Harbor public schools, Hebron Academy; Middlebury College in Vermont, and LaSalle Extension University in Chicago. He served in the United States Navy from September 1944 to March 1946; later he was a member of board of…
Selected Works Alice Adams (1921) Beasley’s Christmas Party (1909) The Beautiful Lady (1905) Beauty And The Jacobin; An Interlude Of The French Revolution (1912) Cherry (1903) Claire Ambler (1928) Clarence; A Comedy In Four Acts (1921) The Collector’s Whatnot: A Compendium, . . . (1923) The Conquest Of Canaan: A Novel (1905) The Fascinating Stranger,…
A suburb of Portland, the rapidly growing community now ranks as tenth most populous in Maine according to the 2000 U.S. Census, up from 13th place in 1990, having grown almost 36 percent in ten years. See photos. The Scarborough Marsh Wildlife Management Area is managed by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife in a federal-state partnership program. The town’s fine beaches and the Scarborough Downs race track and off-track betting facility are attractions for many.
A Brief History of Railroads Maine Railroad technology was first developed in Great Britain, and included Richard Trevithick’s steam locomotive of 1804 and George Stevenson’s locomotive “Rocket” of 1829. In addition to the standard gauge (width) lines reviewed here, narrow gauge railroads also had a special role to play in the state. The first railroad…
The rugged coast and unpredictable waters of Maine have created an environment demanding protection for seafarers. Lighthouses have been built along Maine’s coast since the country began. In fact, there are more lighthouses here than in any other state Maine’s size. There are some 71 lighthouses between Boon Island off York, and West Quoddy Head in Lubec.
The name means “the long cut bank” for a land formation near the sea. Shipbuilding and shipping were once staples of the economy, now oriented to tourism and light manufacturing. See photos. The conversion of historic buildings for contemporary use and the historic districts have enhanced Kennebunk’s attraction for visitors and new residents.
The villages of Hiram and East Hiram are divided by the Saco River. Nearby Mount Cutler sports a hiking trail; a chain of ponds hugs the western border above South Hiram. Raymond Cotton, a storekeeper and author, made many home movies. See photos & 1938 video on blueberry farming. The community buildings (churches, library, grange, museum) are within walking distance in Hiram village.
Joshua Herrick (1793-1874) a U.S. Representative, was born in Beverly, Massachusetts, March 18, 1793, where he attended the common schools. Herrick moved to the District of Maine in 1811 and engaged in the lumber business. He served in the War of 1812, moved to Brunswick and became connected with the first cotton factory of Maine.…
is on Moose Island at the end of a peninsular surrounded by Cobscook Bay and Passamaquoddy Bay. See video and photos. Visited by European fishermen and traders in the 1600’s, the area was settled in 1772. A proposed oil refinery was rejected based on concerns about oil spills and environmental threats. Once a fish canning center (the first sardine cannery in the U.S. opened in 1875), the city struggles against its isolated location. The historic downtown has undergone substantial restoration.
Cultural resources in Maine range from the many community institutions to larger institutions with statewide or broader significance. This page contains a brief summary. (last checked in 2017; try an online search if necessary.) Acton Shapleigh HS Albany Township History Allagash HS Alexander – Crawford HS Andover HS Androscoggin HS Anson HS Bangor HS and…
Early settlers from Biddeford in England may have given the area its name. Biddeford was destroyed during Queen Anne’s War, but was resettled beginning in 1714. Lumbering was the major industry until the early 19th century; textiles dominated for 100 years from mid-century. First Irish, then French Canadians came to work in the mills. See photos.
A town “Arundel” formed in 1719. In 1821 it became Kennebunk Port, from which, in 1915 a new town emerged: “North Kennebunkport.” In 1957 it changed to Arundel. Kenneth Roberts’ historical novel “Arundel” recounts the early life of the area and influenced the reemergence of the name. See video and photos.
was Maine’s first county, established November 20, 1652, by the Massachusetts act that also incorporated the town of Kittery. The county included all of the land claimed by Massachusetts beyond the Piscataqua River, which now defines the southern boundary of Maine with New Hampshire. In 1674, the jurisdiction of Massachusetts was extended to Muscongus Bay,…