Downeast Maine

The neighbourhoods along the Northeast coast of Maine are referred to as Downeast Maine, referring to when ships would sail from Boston to Maine.  They would sail downwind to the East which was soon shortened to Downeast.

Eastport, Maine

Eastport, the easternmost city in the United States, is a deep-water commercial port on the Bay of Fundy. It is located on Moose Island in the Passamaquoddy Bay. The city overlooks the Old Sow Whirlpool, the largest tidal whirlpool in the Western Hemisphere, which can be seen from Eastport’s Dog Island two hours before high tide. Although great emphasis is placed on the city’s fishing, scallop harvesting and lumber shipping industries, Eastport is the leading center of the aquaculture industry on the East Coast. In addition, blueberry and cranberry harvests are quite abundant in this part of Maine.

Population:  1646

Community Links: 

http://www.state.me.us/local/washington/eastport/
http://www.eastport.net/
http://www.quoddyloop.com/ep.shtml
http://www.eastportme.net/
http://www.eastportme.com/
http://www.portofeastport.org/

Lubec, Maine

A small seaside town located on the International Quoddy Loop, Lubec is home to the West Quoddy Lighthouse.  Built in 1808, replicated in 1858 and automated in 1988, this candy-stripped lighthouse protects seafarers from the rocky shores of West Quoddy Head, including Sail Rock - the eastern-most bit of land in the United States.  For outdoor enthusiasts, there are great hiking trails to be found and whales are often seen in the Grand Manan Channel of the Bay of Fundy.

Population:  1655
Industries:  Fishing, Blueberry farming, Wreath making

Interesting Facts: 

• Named after the German town of Lubeck
• Connected to Campobello Island, New Brunswick Canada by Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial Bridge

Community Links:

http://www.state.me.us/local/washington/lubec/
http://www.quoddyloop.com/lu.shtml
http://lighthouse.cc/westquoddy/
http://www.westquoddy.com/lubec.htm

Machias, Maine

Machias was settled in 1763 on the Machias River.  Today, Machias is the seat of Washington county and home to an Annual Blueberry Festival, held each year in August.  In addition to several unique gift and antique shops, the University of Maine Machias is found in this quaint Downeast town.  Located on Route 1, 60 miles north of Ellsworth, Maine and 100 miles from Bangor, Maine.

Population:  1420
Industries:  Blueberry farming

Community Links:

http://www.machias.net
http://www.quoddyloop.com/ma.shtml
http://www.maineguide.com/cities/cityguide.asp?cityid=42
http://www.machiaschamber.org/
http://www.machiasblueberry.com/tmachias.html
http://www.umm.maine.edu/default.asp

Calais, Maine

Settled in 1770 and incorporated in 1809, the town of Calais was named for the French port in honor of the support given by the French during the American Revolution.  The town is connected to bordertown, St. Stephen, New Brunswick by two bridges that extend over the St. Croix River.  This border crossing is the fifth busiest port of entry to the United States on the Canadian Border.

Population:  3447

Community Links:

http://www.state.me.us/local/washington/calais/
http://visitcalais.com/
http://www.calaismaine.govoffice.com/
http://www.quoddyloop.com/ca.shtml

Articles about Downeast Maine Communities

Northern Maine Communties - by Jo-Anne Jarvis-Jordon

Pleasant Bay - by Jo-Anne Jarvis Jordon

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