Waldo County

Waldo County which borders Maine's Penobscot Bay on the Atlantic Ocean is divided between the more populated coast and the interior highlands.

Cities

• 1 Belfast (pop. 9000) - the county seat and home to many good places to eat, with many good fresh lobster establishments.
• 2 Islesboro
• 3 Searsmont
• 4 Searsport
• 5 Swanville
• 6 Winterport

Get in

Waldo County's main transportation route is Route 1. Many visitors use Route 1 or Route 3 from Augusta, to travel to Acadia National Park.

See

• Fort Knox State Historic Site and Penobscot Narrows Observatory, off US Rte 1, on Rte. !74, Prospect, Maine.

Located on the west bank of the Penobscot River in Prospect, Maine, in an area known as the Penobscot Narrows, Fort Knox is one of the best preserved fortifications on the New England seacoast. The Fort has many architectural features present only to itself, as well as a rich history behind it's cannon batteries. Maine was repeatedly involved in northeast border disputes with British Canada, and the area between Castine and the rich lumber city of Bangor was invaded and occupied by the British during the American Revolution and the War of 1812. Despite the Webster-Ashburton Treaty of 1842, Fort Knox was established in 1844 to protect the Penobscot River valley against a possible future British naval incursion.

The Fort was engineered by famous West Point graduate Isaac Ingalls Stevens, who superintended fortifications on the New England coast from 1841 until 1849. Named for Major General Henry Knox, America's first Secretary of War, friend of first president George Washington, and a native of Maine. The Fort garrisoned troops from 1863 to 1866, mostly volunteers who were in training before being sent to their active posts, including members of the celebrated 20th Maine, and again in 1898, but never saw military action.

Come explore the Fort and discover this treasure of Maine and United States History. Fort Knox is open May 1 - Nov 1, from 8:30 - sunset. The grounds are open year round for your visiting pleasure. The newly constructed Penobscot Narrows Bridge boasts an observation tower, rising 420' above sea level, which may only be accessed through the Fort. Set to open this spring the observation tower will provide a breathtaking view of the Penobscot River Valley, and is the only observatory like it in the Western Hemisphere!

Do

• Kayak the rocky coast.
• Take a schooner sail trip.
• Visit nearby Camden or Acadia National Park.
• Visit Lake St. George State Park in Liberty. A high mountain spring fed lake. One of the cleanest lakes in Maine.
• Frye Mountain State Park- trails to walk.

Events

• The Maine Organic Farmers and Garderners Association in Unity is home to the Common Ground Country Fair, which draws 50,000 people to the Fairgrounds every September. The Fair celebrates sustainable living for three full days.

Buy

• Liberty Graphics, in Liberty is a factory store selling top quality cotton and organic tee-shirts.
• Liberty Tool Company, also in Liberty, is two buildings full of antique and exotic tools and things.
• The Belfast Food Co-op is Maine largest food cooperative. Anyone can shop here and the store is full of unusual and healthy food items.