Lincoln County, Info

Lincoln County Town Information

Lincoln County was incorporated in 1760. The 1990 census shows a population of 30,357 with the County seat being in Wiscasset.

These are the towns in Lincoln County:

Alna
Alna Originally incorporated in 1794 as New Milford, it changed its name to Alna (Latin for "alder trees") in 1811. Alna is a rural village with the atmosphere of a farm community and picturesque back roads. The Alna Meeting House (1789) ia rare example of an 18th century church with high pulpit and box pews unchanged throughout the years. Alna has two historic districts, Sheepscot and Head Tide, birthplace of American poet Edward Arlington Robinson. Both districts have many handsome homes and period buildings.

Boothbay
Boothbay, formerly known as Cape Newagen, may have been settled as early as 1630. It was later called Townsend and incorporated as Boothbay in 1764. It separated from Boothbay Harbor in 1889. Boothbay is a rural fishing community divided into four villages: Boothbay Center, East Boothbay, Ocean Point and Trevett, plus three islands in the Sheepscot River: Barter, Hodgdon and Sawyer. There are many attractions for visitors to enjoy, as well as historic houses and places to stay and eat.

Boothbay Harbor
Boothbay Harbor was incorporated in 1764 as part of Boothbay. It is a busy tourist and fishing community with one of the finest natural harbors on the Maine coast. The harbor is an ideal setting for many fine restaurants, craft and gift shops. Visitors have many choices for accommodations. While in Boothbay Harbor , visitors can choose from several scenic boat rides and fishing trips, visit the art galleries, antique shops, theaters and the State Marine Aquarium at McKown Point.

Bremen
Bremen is on the east bank of the Medomak River. It was originally settled by Germans who had been promised a prosperous city but instead of found a wilderness in this beautiful coastal region. Bremen was incorporated in 1828. Today most of the residents are descendants of the fishermen, boat builders, woodsmen and farmer who created the town. There are many places to visit in Bremen, including the Todd Wildlife Sanctuary.

Bristol
Bristol was granted to Elbridge and Aldsworth of Bristol, England in 1629. It was settled as early as 1625 under a deed from the sachemf Samoset to John Brown, and was incorporated in 1765. Today Bristol has eight villages: Bristol Mills, Pemaquid Harbor, Pemaquid Point, Pemaquid Beach, Pemaquid Falls, New Harbor, Chamberlain and Round Pond. The lighthouse on Pemaquid Point is one of the most famous in the country. Historians will want to visit Fort William Henry and the Colonial Pemaquid Restoration, and naturalists will want to spend time at the Rachel Carson Salt Pond Preserve.

Damariscotta
Damariscotta was named by the Abnaki Indians and means "plenty of alewives". Massive shell heaps along the river are monuments to the 2,000 years Maine's original inhabitats harvested oysters and gathered for great feasts along the Damariscotta estuary. Damariscotta was deeded to John Brown in 1625 by the Indian sachem Samoset and incorporated in 1847. A fine example of a Greek Revival church sits at the top of Main Street, The Chapman-Hall House, its oldest building, was built in 1754.

Additonal Resources:
Damariscotta Region Chamber of Commerce

Damariscotta Information Bureau.

Round Top Center for the Arts.

Dresden
Dresden was settled by German immigrants in the 18th century and originally named Frankfort. In 1760, the town was known as Pownalborough after the Governor of Boston, Thomas Pownal. In 1794 it was incorporated as Dresden. The Pownalborough Court House (1761) still stands and is open to visitors. John Adams once practiced there. In the 19th century ice was harvested at Dresden and shipped all over the world. It is situated on the Eastern Flyway, and is a popular destination for duck hunters. There are good deer hunting and farms and orchards that offer "pick-your-own" berries and apples.

Edgecomb
Edgecomb was incorporated in 1774. Its rolling woods and farmlands and views of the Damariscotta and Sheepscot Rivers make Edgecomb a lovely place to visit.. Edgecomb was once home of the Wawenocks. It was settled by Samuel Trask and called Freetown and later named after Lord Edgecomb, a friend of the colonist. Fort Edgecomb, an octagonal, wooden, two-story blockhouse was built in 1808 to protect Wiscasset's seaport. It is one of the most well-preserved fortifications of the period, and is open to the public.

Jefferson
Jefferson. Settled as a farming community in 1770, Jefferson maintains its rural charm to this day. Jefferson Village is at the head of Damariscotta Lake's Great Bay . Clary Lake and Dyer Long Pond and Deer Meadow Pond offer great fishing. Visitors should not miss the Haskell Mountain picnic area and the superb view from Lookout Tower. On a drive through Jefferson, one will see many of the old farm houses and the Jefferson Cattle Pound built in 1829. Other points of interest are the Trask Meeting House (1844)and the First Baptist Church (1808).

Monhegan Island
Monhegan is an Island located nine miles southeast from Pemaquid Point Light. Monhegan is about 1 mile wide and 2 ½ miles long. Settled in 1720, it was named Isle St. George in 1605 by George Weymouth and Isle la Nef by Champlain in 1606. It was the rendezvous of the Popham Colony in 1607. Long before Columbus discovered America, Monhegan Island was a stopover and repair station for European fishermen. There is some evidence that the Vikings were on the island. Fishing and lobstering are still the main industry from January to June. Today the island is visited by artists inspired by its natural beauty.

Newcastle
Newcastle is on the west bank of the Damariscotta River and was named for the Duke of Newcastle. It was once part of the territory governed by the Duke of York and known as the town of Dartmouth or Sheepscot, a settlement that flourished until it was destroyed by the French and Indians. The village of Sheepscot boasts many fine Federalist and Colonial houses. While in Newcastle, one should visit St. Patrick's Catholic Church, the oldest Roman Catholic church in New England, built in 1808.

Nobleboro
Nobleboro, once known as Walpole, was settled in 1788. Nobleboro was named after Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Noble, commander of the second Massachusetts Regiment in 1745 during the siege and fall of the fortress of Louisburg on Cape Breton Island. He was commander of many men from the Province of Maine. Nobleboro touches Duck Puddle Pond, Pemaquid Lake and Damariscotta Lake where camping and fishing are greatly enjoyed.

Somerville
Somerville, located in the northern part of the county, offers nature at its best. Dodge Hill, Crummet Mountain, James Pond and Long Pond offer sportsmen plenty of outdoor activities. Once known as Patricktown Plantation, the town is about 12 miles east of Augusta and about 12 miles northeast of Wiscasset. It was incorporated in 1858 and, the incorporation was repealed in 1937. It was once again organized as a settlement in 1938 and again incorporated as a town in 1974.

South Bristol
South Bristol is a narrow peninsula bordered by the Damariscotta River on the west and John's Bay on the east. Once a part of Bristol, the town was incorporated in 1915 and has three sections: Walpole, South Bristol and Christmas Cove. Christmas Cove claims to have been named by Captain John Smith who landed there on Christmas Day in 1614. Visitors will find South Bristol unrushed and serene. Fishing, clamming, and lobstering along with ship and boat building have been the town's economic base for many years. Recently, new aquaculture businesses have been introduced to the area with cultivated mussels and oysters.

Southport
Southport was settled in 1603 and incorporated as a town in 1842, this fishing and boat building community is a beautiful wooded island. Cape Newagen was well known among early explorers. Squirrel and Capital Islands are also a part of the town. This scenic island offers many tourist accommodations among Burnt Island Lighthouse, Cuckolds Lighthouse and Hendricks Head Lighthouse.

Waldoboro
Waldoboro was settled by German immigrants in 1740 because Samuel Waldo claimed that the region was a thriving area. Instead, they found a very hard life in an undeveloped portion of Maine's wilderness. The Old German Meeting House is still a reminder of the history. It has a nearby cemetery which contains the graves of many of the earliest settlers. Waldoboro was incorporated in 1773. It is at the head of the Medomak River tidewater on Muscongus Bay. During the 19th century it became a busy shipbuilding community. Between 1830 and 1860 the river was lined with shipyards.

Westport
Westport, incorporated in 1828, is an island community located on the Sheepscot River. The island is 11 miles long. It was known as Jeremy Squam Island to the Indians and early settlers. John Richards bought the island from Robinhood, a Sagamore Indian, in 1649. Settled in 1735, the island has been mostly a fishing community.Edgecomb. Doggett's Castle, on the western bank of the river, is where Captain Samuel Doggett moored his ship, Dolphin, while trading with the Indians.

Whitefield
Whitefield is on the Sheepscot River. It is a popular vacation area and fishing spot. There is an excellent fishway on the upper Sheepscot at Coopers Mills. Settled in 1770, the town was named for Rev. George Whitefield, a famous Methodist preacher. Many of the settlers were Irish Catholic. St. Denis' Parish evolved from a log building in 1823 to a brick building in 1833 and is one of New England's earliest Catholic churches.

Wiscasset
Wiscasset was settled in 1663 on the tidal waters of the Sheepscot River. This now peaceful deep water port had been a major hub of commerce for the emerging State of Maine in the late 1600's to early 1700's. The old Custom House built in 1791 still stands. The Lincoln County Courthouse was built in 1824 and is the oldest working courthouse in New England. There are many other fine examples of federal architecture including the Nichols-Sortwell House(1807) and Castle Tucker (1807). Wiscasset has several restaurants, many gift shops and antique stores.