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This map is intended to help orient viewers to the State of Maine and to visualize the relative locations of towns and cities and popular destinations statewide. The information that follows provides a brief description of towns in southern Maine as well as the Chamber of Commerce location, telephone number and web site (with links) for each community.
Chambers of Commerce in Southern Maine
Biddeford-Saco Chamber of Commerce, 110 Main Street, Suite 1202, Saco, ME 04072207-282-1567 www.biddefordsacochamber.org
Greater York Region Chamber of Commerce, 1 Stonewall Lane, York, ME 03909
207-363-4422 www.gatewaytomaine.org
Kennebunk-Kennebunkport-Arundel Chamber of Commerce, 16 Water Street, Kennebunk, ME 04043207-967-0857 www.gokennebunks.com
Ogunquit Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 2289, Ogunquit, ME, 03907
207-646-2939 www.ogunquit.orgOld Orchard Beach Chamber of Commerce, 11 First Street, Old Orchard Beach, ME 04064
207-934-2500 www.oldorchardbeachmaine.com
Sanford-Springvale Chamber of Commerce, 917 Main Street, Suite B, Sanford, ME 04073207-324-4280 www.sanfordchamber.org
Portland Region Chamber, 60 Pearl Street, Portland, ME 04101207-772-2811 www.portlandregion.com
Wells Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 356, Wells, ME 04090207-646-2451 www.wellschamber.org
Southern Maine Towns
ARUNDEL
Part of Kennebunkport until 1915, when it became North Kennebunkport. Following publication of Kenneth Roberts’ book Chronicles of Arundel in 1957, the town was renamed Arundel. It is a town of sprawling farmlands and open areas with no defined town center.
Founded: Area settled 1620. Incorporated 1957.
Size: 23.9 square miles, 62 square kilometers.
Population: 3571
Principal industry: Agriculture
Town Office: 468 Limerick Road, Arundel, ME 04046.207-985-4201 www.arundelmaine.org
BIDDEFORD
Largest city in York County, shares Saco River with sister city of Saco. Also includes coastal communities of Biddeford Pool, Hills Beach, Fortunes Rocks and Granite Point. During the Industrial Revolution, the Saco River was a source of waterpower for mills that attracted many immigrants, among them French-Canadians, the Irish and Albanians. Home to the University of New England, Southern Maine Medical Center and major shopping centers.
Founded: Settled circa 1620. Incorporated 1718 as a town, 1855 as a city.
Size: 34.5 square miles, 89.5 square kilometers.
Population: 22,072
Principal industries: Light industry, commerce
Famous residents: Ovid Demaris, author; Prentiss Mellen, senator and jurist; Henry B. Quinby, physician and governor; Cor Van Den Heuvel, poet and editor; Amos Whitney, engineer and inventor
Attractions: Annual (June) La Kermesse Franco-Americaine Festival, historic City Theater, Saco River, beaches in coastal communities
Chamber of Commerce: Biddeford + Saco Chamber of Commerce,28 Water Street-Suite 1, Biddeford, ME 04005
207-282-1567 www.biddefordsacochamber.org
ELIOT
Rural community, known as the Upper Parish, once a part of Kittery. Separated from Kittery in 1810. Location on Piscataqua River spawned shipbuilding industry. Many large clipper ships as well as small craft were launched from Eliot.
Founded: Settled circa 1630. Incorporated 1810.
Size: 21.3 square miles, 55 square kilometers.
Population: 5954
Principal industry: Agriculture
Famous residents: Moses G. Farmer, inventor of electric trolley car; John Freemont Hill, politician, governor
Attractions: William Fogg Library, William Fogg House, the 1725 Dr. Willis Homestead and 1768 Libby Home
Chamber of Commerce: Greater York Region Chamber of Commerce, 1 Stonewall Lane, York, ME 03909.207-363-4422 www.gatewaytomaine.org
KENNEBUNK
Sign on the Lafayette Center at the south end of the village proclaims: “Kennebunk, the only village in the world so named.” Popular vacation area with beaches, shopping and dining districts in downtown and Lower Village sections. Bordered by the Kennebunk and Mousam rivers, sites of prosperous shipbuilding yards and shoe and textile manufacturing in 1800s. Historic District lined with magnificent homes built by sea captains and merchants.
Founded: Settled 1620. Incorporated 1820.
Size: 35.5 square miles, 92 square kilometers.
Population: 11,245 (winter) 13,500 (summer)
Principal industries: Tourism, lobster fishing, commerce, light industry
Famous residents: Edmund Muskie, statesman, governor; Kate and Tom Chappell, founders of Tom’s of Maine; Joseph Dane, congressman; Clement Storer, congressman and senator
Attractions: Beaches, Brick Store Museum, Franciscan Monastery, Wedding Cake House, Blueberry Plains
Chamber of Commerce: Kennebunk/Kennebunkport Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 740, Kennebunk, ME 04043.207-967-0857 www.visitthekennebunks.com
KENNEBUNKPORT
Popular vacation destination that includes Cape Porpoise and Goose Rocks Beach. Scenic ocean views, beaches, historic homes, some of which are now inns and/or restaurants. Long traditions of boat building and lobster fishing.
Founded: Settled 1620. Incorporated 1653.
Size: 22 square miles, 56.9 square kilometers.
Population: 3920 (winter), 6280 (summer)
Principal industries: Tourism, fishing
Famous residents: former President George H. W. Bush; Booth Tarkington, author; Kenneth Roberts, author; Jayne Morgan, singer; Russell Nype, actor
Attractions: Walkers Point – summer home of former President George H. W. Bush, art colony, Dock Square, Goat Island Lighthouse in Cape Porpoise
Chamber of Commerce: Kennebunk/Kennebunkport Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 740, Kennebunk, ME 04043.207-967-0857 www.visitthekennebunks.com
KITTERY
Southernmost and oldest town in Maine with a long history of shipbuilding, including the Range (1777) commanded by John Paul Jones during the Revolutionary War. Many examples of early Colonial architecture, historic sites and scenic coastal roads. Early forts and charming clusters of vintage cottages with views of Portsmouth Harbor.
Founded: Settled 1623. Incorporated 1647.
Size: 21 square miles, 54.4 square kilometers.
Population: 9743
Principal industries: Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, commerce, fishing
Famous residents: William Whipple, signer of Declaration of Independence; Sir William Pepperrell, merchant and soldier
Attractions: Fort McClary State Historic Site, Fort Foster Park, Route 1 outlet stores
Chamber of Commerce: Greater York Region Chamber of Commerce, 1 Stonewall Lane, York, ME 03909.207-363-4422 www.gatewaytomaine.org
LYMAN
Rural community with several waterways, including Bunganut Pond and Kennebunk Pond. Open lands dotted with farms. Includes village of Goodwin Mills, site of a mill started in 1782.
Founded: Settled circa 1660. Incorporated 1780 as Coxhall. Name changed to Lyman in 1803.
Size: 40.4 square miles, 104.7 square kilometers.
Population: 4150
Principal industry: Agriculture
Town Office: 11 South Waterboro Road, Lyman, ME 04002.207-499-7562 www.lyman-maine.org
NORTH BERWICK
A pastoral community with quaint village center. Originally part of Kittery. Became a railroad hub for shipping manufactured goods throughout New England. Bauneg Beg Mountain and pond popular with campers and hikers.
Founded: Settled 1693. Incorporated 1831.
Size: 38.4 square miles, 100 square kilometers.
Population: 4625
Principal industries: Pratt & Whitney, manufacturer of aircraft engine parts; Hussey Seating Company, maker of auditorium and stadium seats
Famous residents: John W. Goodwin, minister; Daniel J. Morrell, congressman
Chamber of Commerce: Greater York Region Chamber of Commerce, 1 Stonewall Lane, York, ME 03909.207-363-4422 www.gatewaytomaine.org
OGUNQUIT
Called “beautiful place by the sea” and a popular vacation resort town with beaches and a long tradition as an art colony. Home of summer theater, the Ogunquit Playhouse, known for bringing Broadway and Hollywood celebrities to perform. Lively evening entertainment and abundant restaurants and lodgings.
Founded: Settled 1641 (as part of Wells). Incorporated 1980.
Size: 4.3 square miles, 11.1 square kilometers.
Population: 1522 (winter), 20,000 (summer)
Principal industry: Tourism
Famous residents: John Kendrick Bangs, author; Walt Kuhn, artist; Charles H. Woodbury, artist; Henry Strater, artist and founder of Ogunquit Museum of American Art; Walter Hartwig, founder of Ogunquit Playhouse
Attractions: Ogunquit Playhouse, Ogunquit Museum of American Art, Barn Gallery, Perkins Cove, Marginal Way oceanfront walk
Chamber of Commerce: Ogunquit Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 2289, Ogunquit, ME, 03907.207-646-2939 www.ogunquit.org
OLD ORCHARD BEACH
Popular summer destination, with seven-mile beach, amusement park and historic pier. Downtown has many souvenir shops and restaurants. In early aviation era, beach used as landing strip for flights to Europe. Town includes the Chautauqua community of Ocean Park, site of entertainment, nondenominational worship and educational events.
Founded: Settled 1657. Incorporated 1883.
Size: 7.5 square miles, 19.5 square kilometers.
Population: 8856 (winter), 11,764 (summer)
Principal industry: Tourism
Attractions: Seven-mile beach, The Pier, Palace Playland Amusement Park, Ocean Park buildings (on National Register of Historic Places)
Chamber of Commerce: Old Orchard Beach Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 600, Old Orchard Beach, ME 04064.207-934-2500 www.oldorchardbeachmaine.com
SACO
Shares Saco River with sister city of Biddeford. Proud history as a mill town producing textiles. Industries also included brickyards and machine shops. Examples of classic architecture throughout the town. Amusement parks on Route 1 and Ferry Beach State Park attract summer tourists. Historic Factory Island buildings under renovation now house shops, galleries and apartments.
Founded: Settled circa 1631. Incorporated 1762 as Pepperrellborough, renamed Saco in 1805. Incorporated as city in 1867.
Size: 39.3 square miles, 102 square kilometers.
Population: 16,822
Principal industries: Tourism, industy and commerce
Famous residents: Henry A. Barrows, actor; Samuel Brannan, businessman and pioneer; Catie Curtis, singer-songwriter; John Fairfield, governor and senator; George Lincoln Goodale, botanist; John Wingate Thornton, lawyer, historian and author
Attractions: Beaches, amusement and water parks; Ferry Beach State Park
Chamber of Commerce: Biddeford-Saco Chamber of Commerce, 110 Main Street, Suite 1202, Saco, ME 04072.207-282-1567 www.biddefordsacochamber.org
SANFORD
Early settlers used waterpower from Mousam River to create prosperous mill town producing textiles, shoes, carpets and lumber products. Outlying area has airport and several industrial parks. Lakes in wooded areas are popular for water sports and camping.
Founded: Settled 1739. Incorporated 1768.
Size: 48.7 square miles, 126 square kilometers.
Population: 20,806
Principal industry: Industry, commerce
Famous residents: Randy Brooks, musician; Louis B. Goodall, businessman and congressman; Forrest R. Haselton, president, Sears & Roebuck; Peter Kostis, golf instructor and sportscaster; Fred Nutter, broadcaster; Harold Shaw, dairy pioneer; John Lincoln Wright, musician
Chamber of Commerce: Sanford-Springvale Chamber of Commerce, 917 Main Street, Suite B, Sanford, ME 04073.207-324-4280 www.sanfordchamber.org
SCARBOROUGH
Seaside community with several neighborhoods, including Pine Point, Prouts Neck, and Higgins Beach. The 3100-acre Scarborough Marsh is the largest tidal marsh in Maine. Scenery was subject of paintings by local resident and famous Winslow Homer. Major commercial centers along Route 1 corridor.
Founded: Settled early 1600s. Incorporated 1658.
Size: 55 square miles, 143 square kilometers.
Population: 19,000
Principal industries: Commerce and tourism
Famous residents: William King, first governor of Maine; Rufus King, U.S. senator from New York and U.S. ambassador to Britain; Winslow Homer, artist; Kelly Moore, stock car driver; Paul Jamestown Ledman, historian; Glen Close, actress
Attractions: Beaches, Scarborough Marsh, Winslow Homer studio
Chamber of Commerce: Portland Region Chamber, 60 Pearl Street, Portland, ME 04101.207-772-2811 www.portlandregion.com
SOUTH BERWICK
Charming New England town with architecture dating to Colonial times. Site of several factories during Industrial Revolution. Called “river of many falls” by Abenaki Indians in reference to Salmon Falls River that serves as border with New Hampshire. Home to Berwick Academy, a private secondary school founded in 1791. Noted for apple orchards and farming. Annual Strawberry Festival in June draws thousands of visitors.
Founded: Settled 1631. Incorporated 1814.
Size: 35 square miles, 84.6 square kilometers.
Population: 6671
Principal industry: Agriculture
Famous residents: Nicholson Baker, novelist; Sarah Orne Jewett, novelist; Gladys Hasty Carroll, author; William Burleigh, congressman; Deanna Rix, wrestler
Attractions: Sarah Orne Jewett House, Hamilton House, Counting House Museum, Vaughan Woods State Park
Chamber of Commerce: Greater York Region Chamber of Commerce, 1 Stonewall Lane, York, ME 03909.207-363-4422 www.gatewaytomaine.org
WELLS
Settled as a fishing and farming community, Wells and its miles of beaches is now a popular vacation destination. Boasting to be the “friendliest town in Maine,” Wells offers a lively selection of summer attractions, especially along the Route 1 corridor. Includes Drakes Island and the community of Moody.
Founded: Settled 1622. Incorporated 1653.
Size: 58.2 square miles; 150.6 square kilometers.
Population: 9780 (winter), 27,900 (summer)
Principal industry: Tourism
Famous residents: George Burroughs, clergyman; Nathaniel Littlefield, congressman; John F. Scamman, congressman; John Wheelwright, clergyman.
Attractions: Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge, Harbor Park, Wells Antique Auto Museum, Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve
Chamber of Commerce: Wells Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 356, Wells, ME 04090.207-646-2451 www.wellschamber.org
YORK
Known as “The Yorks” because it has several distinct sections – York Village, York Harbor, York Beach and York Heights, as well as Cape Neddick. Quaint tree-lined village streets with pre-Revolutionary buildings and thriving art community. Beaches, amusements, animal park and scenic coastal views. Home of picturesque Cape Neddick Lighthouse, commonly known as “the Nubble,” for its perch on a rocky promontory just off the mainland.
Founded: Settled 1624. Incorporated 1642, making it the oldest incorporated town in Maine.
Size: 57.7 square miles, 149.4 square kilometers.
Population: 13,306 (winter) 36,000 (summer)
Principal industy: Tourism
Famous residents: John Hancock, merchant and statesman; Richard Foerster, poet; May Sarton, writer; George Thatcher, statesman; Christopher Cassidy, NASA astronaut
Attractions: Cape Neddick Lighthouse, Mt. Agamenticus with miles of hiking and biking trails, Old Gaol (jail) and other historic buildings open to the public.
Chamber of Commerce: Greater York Region Chamber of Commerce, 1 Stonewall Lane, York, ME 03909.207-363-4422 www.gatewaytomaine.org
12 Depot Street, Kennebunk, Maine
P.O. Box 647, Kennebunkport, Maine 04046
207-467-3292 publisher@touristandtown.com