Welcome to The Master-Class in MidCoast Maine!
With spring on its way, this is good time for a master-class in the amazing MidCoast. Here are some historical facts and a few quirky things that you may want to learn more about. At the very least, these facts might help you amaze friends or win a bet on who buys the pizza. The more you know about the MidCoast, the more you’ll want to explore.
The Most State Parks!
Photo credit: Shannon Bryan
The MidCoast is home to 11 of Maine’s 32 state parks. You can hike, camp and do so much more in these protected areas. All eleven parks are under two hours driving time of each other, except for Warren Island State Park. Located off the coast of Lincolnville, it’s the only state park you can’t and wouldn’t want to drive to. Accessible only by boat or water taxi, there are 12 overnight family campgrounds for a once-in-a-lifetime camping experience. The ten other state parks in the MidCoast are Camden Hills, Popham Beach, Reid, Fort Point, Birch Point, Lake St. George, Swan Lake, Damariscotta Lake, Moose Point, and Owls Head.
The World’s Largest Cats
The Maine Coon is the world’s largest, domesticated cat breed and by far, the coolest cat. Known as the “gentle giants”, these laid-back cats can reach lengths well over three feet. A Maine Coon named Barivel, holds the Guinness World Record for being the longest cat at just over 3’ 11”. The Maine Coon originated in Wiscasset, and was thought to have arrived by early sailing vessels. One story involves Marie Antionette whose prized Turkish Angora cats were shipped to the U.S. as part of an attempt to escape France. Only her cats made it to Wiscasset where it was said they were bred into what are now, Maine Coons.
The “Province of Mayne”
The origin of “Maine” isn’t entirely clear, though in 1622, a land patent for “Ye Province of Mayne” was given to the English company that founded the Jamestown and Popham colonies in the new world. George Popham started Popham Colony in 1607 in the MidCoast area of Phippsburg. It’s believed that “Mayne” or “Meyne” came from early explorers in the area who shortened, “main land.” Cool trivia: ever notice how “Maine” has such a pleasing sound to it? That’s because the word is just one syllable. And, it’s America’s only single-syllable state.
America’s First Ship
America’s shipbuilding legacy began in 1607 at the Popham Colony on the Kennebec River. In 1608, the colonists constructed a 56-ft long ship called, Virginia. When the colony was abandoned later that year, the Virginia sailed to England making it America’s first ocean-going vessel. The seaworthy ship crossed the Atlantic again to help supply the Jamestown Colony. Today, the MidCoast continues to be home to some of the best boatbuilders in the world. You can experience Maine’s seafaring history at the Maine Maritime Museum – located not far from the site of the original Popham Colony.
America’s Only Ski Area with An Ocean View
Maine’s family-friendly, Camden Ski Bowl is the only ski area in the lower 48 states that has great skiing and an ocean view. And what a view! From the top of the triple chair, you can see miles of ocean beyond sparkling Penobscot Bay. Alyeska Resort in Alaska also has fine ocean views, but it doesn’t have racing toboggans. This year, fingers-crossed, after a year’s absence, the 31st Annual U.S. National Toboggan Championships will be held February 11-13 at the Snow Bowl. The scary-steep, 400-foot long, wooden chute will see more than 400 teams compete and draw a huge crowd.
The Wine Region of Maine
Today, there are more than 25 wineries in Maine with most of the established grape vineyards concentrated in the MidCoast area. Winemakers are increasingly attracted to the region’s coastal climate and rocky soils to produce terrific, grape varietals. The results are wines ranging from chardonnay to merlot that have attained ‘grand cru’ status and national attention. Lincolnville’s Cellardoor Winery recently won “Best Malbec” and a Double Gold medal at the 2021 San Francisco Wine Competition. Other notable MidCoast wineries include Savage Oakes, Sweetgrass Farm, Oyster River Wine, and Breakwater Vineyards.
24 Historic Lighthouses
With 65 lighthouses along its 3,400-mile coast, Maine has the most oceanfront lighthouses in America (including Owls Head Lighthouse, pictured above). It would take many weeks to see them all, but you could explore over 24 of them in Maine’s MidCoast alone. Maine’s MidCoast lighthouses are fascinating places to explore in the daytime and to see at night. Many are open to the public and several have adjacent museums. Some can be enjoyed by lighthouse tours on the water or in the comfort of your car.
24 Craft Breweries
For every lighthouse to visit in the MidCoast, there’s also a good craft brewery. It’s not entirely by chance that the MidCoast has so many good micro-breweries. As of 2021, Maine has the highest number of craft breweries per capita in the country with one brewery for every 8,710 people. Most breweries are open to visit and to sample fresh beers. Many have family-friendly tap rooms and offer classic pub menus. With so many breweries to visit, you can plan a route through the MidCoast with the Maine Brewer’s Guild at https://mainebrewersguild.org/visit-breweries/plan-your-route/
The World’s Only Cribstone Bridge!
Forget the Brooklyn Bridge or the Golden Gate. The world’s only granite Cribstone bridge connects Orr’s Island and Bailey Island in Maine’s MidCoast. The rugged 1,150-ft. bridge is made of granite slabs laid in a cobwork pattern that allows the tide to flow freely. Built in 1928, some 10,000 tons of granite are joined without mortar. You can enjoy this National Register of Historic Places bridge from the deck and dining room of another nearby landmark, Cook’s Lobster & Ale House.
