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| Oakland, Maine Web site - http://www.oaklandmaine.us/ |
Belgrade, Maine
Where Memories Last a Lifetime
Just
ten miles west of the City of Waterville is the beautiful
region known as the Belgrade Lakes Region. The town of
Belgrade, Maine was incorporated in 1796 as the 102nd
town of the Province of Maine in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
The name was chosen by John Vassal Davis who admired Belgrade,
Yugoslavia, when he visited there as a representative
of the East India Company. By the late 1880s, the region
was discovered by vacationers and by the early 1900s,
large numbers of tourists arrived by steam train.
Today tourists still enjoy the breath-taking beauty of
this magnificent region. The Belgrade Lakes Region include
the towns and villages of Belgrade, Belgrade Lakes, North
Belgrade, Smithfield, and parts of Rome, Sidney, and Oakland;
and, as it was some eighty years ago, is still a most
popular place to visit, vacation, or live. Great Pond,
the largest of the lakes in the region, was the inspiration
for the play and movie "On Golden Pond."
Photo by Curtis Chaput
Sidney, Maine is a fast-growing community noted for having one of the lower tax rates in Kennebec County. Surrounding the town to the east is the Kennebec River and to the west is Messalonskee Lake, where the headquarters for the famed New England Music Camp is located. The lake is also surrounded by summer resorts and cottage colonies. Both Messalonskee Lake and the Kennebec River have public boat access within their borders. Several other smaller ponds make up a beautiful rural setting. Centrally located is the Town Office, Grange Hall, Transfer/Recycling Facility, and the Public Works Department. The James H. Bean School, K - 6 grade, has been recognized by the State of Maine as a leader in efficiency and education. The district is distinguished by having had two National Educator Milken Award winners, both from Sidney. Located in three strategic areas are the Town Volunteer Fire Department and RescueSquad, serving the needs for all fire and rescue. Access to neighboring towns and cities, such as Waterville and Augusta, are Routes 23, 27, 104, and Interstate 95. I-95 makes this town a prime location for industries because of its own entrance and exit ramps.The rest of the community is made up of farming, small business, and a rural atmosphere. Sidney is a great place to be.
Rome,
Maine is located in the heart of the Belgrade chain of
lakes. There is fishing, sailing, swimming, and an array
of winter lake activites such as ice fishing and snowmobiling
to be enjoyed in any of the seven lakes of this 150-square
mile lake region. A popular 40-mile canoe adventure takes
paddlers through the lakes chain. Rome was first settled
in 1780 and originally named West Pond Plantation. The
town was incorporated in 1804. Rome is a delightful vacation
spot and an attractive community in which to settle.
Shawmut Village, Maine is located on Route 201 just north of Downtown Fairfield and south of Hinckley Village. Formerly known as Somerset Mills, the village was renamed Shawmut in 1889. Shawmut was an important railroad stop on the Penobscot and Kennebec Railroad during the mid-19th century. Present day, the stretch of Route 201 through Shawmut is known as an “Antiques Corridor”, with several antique stores and world class auction halls.
Albion,
Maine, population 2041, remains a typical Maine small
town. Founded in 1804, its proud history boasts ties to
Elijah Lovejoy, freedom of the press and Maine’s
narrow gauge railway. Its central village, excellent elementary
school, library and health center provide focus on family
and have attracted new homes in the traditionally farming
community. With proximity to the greater Waterville area,
it has ideal small business potential as demonstrated
by the growth of Johnny’s Selected Seeds.
Clinton, Maine, located five miles north of Fairfield, is bounded on the west by the Kennebec River and on the east by the Sebasticook River. The town was first settled in 1775 and incorporated in 1795. Because of the Clinton I-95 interchange, the town is attractive to industrial development. Clinton is a diversified mid-Maine community with pleasant residential areas, beautiful rural land, small fabrication factories, the largest dairy industry of the state, and Maine's premier nine-hole golf course. Clinton is home to the extremely popular annual Clinton Lion's Club Agricultural Fair.
| Clinton, Maine Web site: http://www.clinton-me.us/ |
Hinckley Village, Maine is located along Route 201 in northern Fairfield. The village consists mostly of the 2,450 acre Good Will-Hinckley campus. Founded in 1889, Good Will-Hinckley is a center of excellence for youth, providing housing, education, and counseling services. Hinckley Village is also adjacent to the S. D. Warren Division of SAPPI, one of central Maine’s largest employers.
Benton,
Maine is located on the east bank of the Kennebec River,
across the three bridges from Fairfield. The area was
first settled in 1763 and incorporated as Sebasticook
on March 16, 1842. The name was changed to Benton in 1850.
With a park and walking trails, Benton offers the pleasant
feeling of small town closeness combined with easy access
to all the benefits of the total mid-Maine community.
| Benton, Maine Web site - www.maine.gov/local/kennebec/benton/ |
Burnham is located on the Sebasticook River on Routes 11 and 100. Burnham was originally called Twenty-Five Mile Plantation. The town was incorporated in 1824. Burnham is a versatile community offering recreational opportunities, including an excellent golf course on the shores of Lake Winnecook, and is home to major industries such as Pride Manufacturing Company.
Unity
is located on Routes 9 and 202 and was incorporated June
22, 1804. It is the home of Unity College, pictured left,
which specializes in environmental sciences and outdoor
recreation. The college has an art gallery, lecture and
concert series, and an excellent library with a children's
loft, all of which are open to the public. Unity is located
on the shores of Lake Winnecook, a fine place to boat,
fish, and swim. A public boat ramp and ample parking available
gives easy access to the lake. Also located on the shores
of Lake Winnecook is the 'Field of Dreams' Athletic Complex.
The Complex has a walking path, several ball fields, picnic
tables, and an excellent playground with all new equipment.
The Snowduster's Snowmobile Club maintains several snowmobile
trails throughout the town for winter fun. Unity is home
to Unity Raceway, a local summer favorite of stock car
fans, is located on Route 139 and is open from mid-spring
to late fall. Every fall, the popular Common Ground Country
Fair attracts thousands of people to witness and enjoy
the delights of homemade ice cream and natural food. Unity's
attractions make it an all-seasons place to work and play.
Photo by Mark Tardif
|
Unity, Maine Web site -http://www.unitymaine.org/ |
Vassalboro stretches from the east bank of the Kennebec River to the west shore of China Lake. It is the home of farmers, woodsmen, and commuters to Waterville and Augusta. Settled in 1760 and incorporated in 1771, Vassalboro is located on Routes 32 and 201. Vassalboro has frontage on a major river (the Kennebec) and on four lakes and ponds, resulting in outstanding recreational opportunities. Vassalboro is home to Duratherm Window Company, York Spiral Stair, and has some of the larger dairy farms in the central Maine area. It is also home of Natanis Golf Course, which was recently expanded to 36-holes, making the public golf course the largest north of Boston.
| Vassalboro, Maine Web site: http://www.Vassalboro.net |
The town of Thorndike, Maine was established in 1819. It is a quaint little village with a population of 712. Miles of winding rural roads capture breathtaking views. The small community is famously known for the "Gordon Hill Murders" that took place June 16, 1873. The courts handed down a guilty verdict and a sentence of hanging was carried out. Later a letter arrived claiming the wrong man was hanged; someone else committed these gruesome murders. Because of this trial, capital punishment was ended in the state of Maine. The area boasts a part in the Common Ground Country Fair. This organic educational fair brings crowds from states and miles around.
| Thorndike, Maine Web site: http://www.thorndikeme.com/ |
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Located
on the banks of the Kennebec River, Waterville, Maine
is home to a unique mix of shops and restaurants as well
as two colleges, Thomas College and Colby College. A Main
Street Maine community, Waterville takes great pride in
its downtown, which is home to seven structures listed
on the National Register of Historic Places and is home
to many unique shops and one-of-a-kind eateries. Waterville
is easily accessed with two exits off Interstate 95 as
well as Route 201, which touts a national, historic byway
and is part of the Kennebec-Chaudiere Corridor.
Government:
Mayor, City Administrator, City Council
First
settled in 1771, the Town of Fairfield, Maine has some
of the most beautiful historic sites recorded in the National
Historic Register. The Cotton-Smith History House and
Museum is located at 42 High Street, and is home to the
Fairfield Historical Society. Other architectural jewels
include the Lawrence Public Library, Connor-Bovie House,
and the Amos Gerald House. 
Government:
Town Manager, Town Council
Located on the east bank of the Kennebec River across
the bridge from Waterville, Winslow, Maine is a town rich
in history and pride. Settlers arrived in the early 1700s
and built their homes around the protective “Fort
Halifax” on the confluence of the Sebasticook and
Kennebec Rivers, major routes in transporting food, goods,
and more settlers.
Oakland,
Maine is west of Waterville and abuts the Belgrade Lakes.
Messalonskee Lake, East Pond, McGrath Pond and Salmon
Lake provide four season opportunities for water activities.
The Town is home to a number of summer camps for kids.
