Last updated on June 13th, 2024
Laws and Revolutions
57. Maine actively participated in the Underground Railroad, helping escaped enslaved people find freedom in Canada. Abolitionist Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” in 1852 while living in Brunswick, Maine.
58. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was founded in 1933 during the Great Depression. Maine established several camps that contributed to reforestation, trail construction, and other conservation projects that still benefit the state today.
59. The Maine DOT requires the people to clear the snow off the windshield before operating their car. However, the state’s legislature does not compel its people to clean the snow off their vehicle unless it is obstructing the operator’s clear view of the way or an intersecting way.
60. Maine was one of the first states to implement Prohibition in 1851, banning the sale and manufacture of alcohol. The law was repealed in 1934, but some local laws remain remnants of the temperance movement.
61. In 1855, the “Portland Rum Riots” occurred when the mayor and other officials tried to enforce the state’s prohibition laws. The riots resulted in one death and significant property damage.
62. Maine granted women the right to vote in school elections in 1874, 46 years before the 19th Amendment granted women’s suffrage nationwide.
63. The Passamaquoddy Tribe’s land claim in Maine was settled in 1980, recognizing their rights and restoring tribal lands, marking an important milestone in Native American rights.
Economy
64. Almost 90% of the lobsters in the US come from Maine, which catches 40 million pounds each year. The industry provides work for thousands of people from the lobstermen to the seafood restaurants. There’s even an annual celebration dedicated to the state’s favorite crustacean.
65. Toothpick Capital of the World: At its peak, the town of Strong in Maine was producing 7 billion toothpicks each year. However, sales declined due to the influx of cheaper alternatives from Asia and the increasing popularity of floss.
66. Tourmaline has been a common funeral gift among Maine’s Native Americans for centuries. Large-scale mining began until 1822 when businessmen learned about the stone. Maine also has deposits of quarts, amethyst, citrine, mica, and feldspar.
67. Maine’s abundance of trees and harbors made it a logical base for boat builders since the time of the first settlers. Today, the best ship-building companies in the world have manufacturing facilities here and continue to prop up the economy.
68. Only 13% of the land in Maine is dedicated to farming, but it’s enough to make the state one of the leading producers of potatoes, grains, apples, sweet corn, and maple syrup in the country.
State Symbols
69. State Fruit: Wild Blueberries
Maine is crazy for blueberries. They have a bigger harvest of wild blueberries than any other place in the world. Locals use it to make blueberry pies, pancakes, oatmeal scone, gelato, syrup, muffins, ketchup, cake, and more
70. State Treat: Whoopie Pie
Get ready to shout for joy when you taste the whoopie pie: a confection made with two chocolate cakes and a creamy filling. Maine loves it so much that they hold an annual Whoopie Pie Festival, featuring the best creations by local bakers.
This delightful treat was designated as the official state treat in 2011, recognizing its popularity and cultural significance in the state.
71. State Cat: Maine Coon
The Maine coon is a fluffy gentle giant that can grow up to 48.5 inches. It behaves a lot like dogs: sociable, loyal, and affectionate. With above-average intelligence, Maine coons are easy to train as stress-free household companions. This cat one of the oldest natural breeds in the U.S.
72. State Bird: Black-capped Chickadee
Most birds fly away when they encounter humans, but the black-capped chickadee is an exception. This small songbird might even feed from an open hand and make a home in people’s backyards, becoming permanent residents.
73. State Tree: Eastern White Pine
“The Pine Tree State” leads the way in sustainable forestry. Over 80% of Maine remains covered in forests, and many of the trees here are Eastern White Pines that grow to an incredible height of 200 feet.
People
74. Bette Davis, Actress
Two-time Oscar winner Bette Davis was a resident of Maine’s Cape Elizabeth. The fiery Hollywood icon is also known as “The Fourth Warner Brother” because she fought for the rights of actors and gained everyone’s respect, including the studio executives.
75. Stephen King, Novelist
Stephen King is known for writing novels that blend crime, suspense, fantasy, supernatural, and science fiction. The “King of Horror” has sold 350 million copies of his books. Born in Maine, he and his wife Tabitha run a charity organization in the state.
76. Radio Station
This famous author, Stephen King purchased the radio station WKIT-FM in Bangor, Maine, in 1984. He acquired the station to ensure that the city always has a rock radio station for the community to enjoy, demonstrating his love for both radio broadcasting and his hometown.
77. Samantha Smith: America’s Youngest Ambassador
Samantha Smith, an American schoolgirl from Manchester, Maine was known as “America’s Youngest Ambassador” in the United States and the “Goodwill Ambassador” in the Soviet Union. During the Cold war, the ten year old Samantha wrote a letter to the leader of the Soviet Union, Yuri Andropov, asking his viewpoint of war with America and what efforts was he taking to avoid the war.
Surprisingly, the Soviet leader read her letter and replied to her as well. He also invited her with her family to visit the Soviet Union. However, unfortunately, this bright kid died on 25 August 1985 in an airplane crash in Auburn, Maine.
78. Milton Bradley
Milton Bradley, the producer of board games, was born in Vienna, Maine.
79. Joan Benoit Samuelson
Joan Benoit Samuelson from Cape Elizabeth, Maine was the first-ever women’s Olympic Games marathon winner. She won the Gold medal at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. She was inducted into the Maine Women’s Hall of Fame in 2000. At the age of 61 years, she returned to the circuit at the Boston Marathon in April 2019, and completed the race in 3:04.
80. Nelson Rockefeller, Businessman/Politician
Nelson Rockefeller was born in Bar Harbor, Maine. After graduation, he worked in his family’s business empire and became an influential voice in politics. He was elected as New York governor in 1959 and was chosen as US vice president in 1974.
81. Erin Andrews, Sportscaster
Born in Lewiston, Maine, Erin Andrews went on to become a sportscaster for ESPN and Fox Sports. She covers hockey, football, baseball, basketball, and more. Andrews has been an endorser for Reebok, Kraft Foods, StubHub, Covergirl, and other companies.
Culture
82. A specific accent
Maine has its own distinct accent and vocabulary, including unique phrases and words not commonly used in other parts of the United States. Visitors to the state will quickly notice that locals talk differently. They don’t pronounce their R’s, which makes them easy to identify. However, there is no single accent. It differs depending on which area you go to. For example, “ayuh” means “yes,” and a “camp” is a summer cottage or cabin.
83. New Year Polar Plunge
A few bold swimmers start the New Year in the cold waters of Maine beaches. In Portland, they call it the Polar Bear Dip. In Old Orchard Beach, it’s the Lobster Dip. In Kennebunk, they have the Freezin’ for a Reason – charity projects all over the state.
84. Fryeburg Fair
In 1851, a few visionary farmers and merchants started the Fryeburg Fair to show off their products to the community. The small event continued to grow through the years until it became one of Maine’s biggest fairs, drawing visitors across the region.
85. Bar Harbor Music
Maine appreciates good music across all genres. At the Bar Harbor Music Festival, there is something for everyone as concertgoers can enjoy jazz bands, string orchestras, brass ensembles, operas, and a lot more. That’s quite a treat if you love live music.
86. Trek Across Maine
It’s a fun charity cycling event that attracts entire families. The full 180-mile route starts at the Sunday River and ends at the town of Belfast. If that’s too long, then cycle the 97-mile route instead. The scenic route will make you fall in love with the state.
87. North American Wife Carrying Championship
Couples flock to Bethel’s Sunday River to compete in a unique race. Men must run with their wife on their back across a muddy route. The winning pair is rewarded with the woman’s weight in beer and 5x her weight in prize money.
Places of interest
88. Sugarloaf Ski Resort
Maine’s Sugarloaf Mountain is a ski paradise in Carrabassett Valley. It has a 4,237-foot peak that is visible from the nearby Appalachian Trail. The resort has 14 lifts that can accommodate 21,810 skiers per hour and provide runs of up to 3.5 miles.
89. Old Orchard Beach’s Palace Playland
This amusement park has been around since 1902, offering 28 exciting rides within the 5-acre property. It is famous for retaining its classic atmosphere, having the largest arcade in the state, and lighting up the fireworks every summer.
90. Houlton
The town of Aroostook in Houlton is a testament to the state’s colorful past. You can see well-preserved Victorian homes and the National Historic District called Market Square. It’s home to Temple Theater, Maine’s oldest cinema.
91. Freeport
Walk around downtown Freeport and you might see a giant 16-foot boot casually displayed outside a building. It’s the famous L.L. Bean flagship store, located in a bustling shopping district that also features charming artisan shops and restaurants.
92. Another giant boot
The unique mailbox shaped like a giant boot in Trenton, Maine, was created in 1986. Since its installation, it has become a local landmark and a popular tourist attraction, frequently featured in photographs as a charming and quirky roadside sight.
93. Sportfishing
Maine’s waters are home to giant bluefin tuna, some of which can weigh over 1,000 pounds. The state is a popular destination for sportfishing enthusiasts looking to catch these massive fish.
94. A wooden roller coaster
Thrill-seekers can satisfy their itch for excitement at the Funtown Splashtown theme park. It features the only wooden roller coaster in Maine called Excalibur. At 100 ft tall with an 82-ft drop, it’s the biggest in Northern New England.
95. Maine Wine Trail
The state receives millions of tourists each year, and many of them hit the Maine Wine Trail with more than two dozen wineries on the map. There’s also the Maine Beer Trail with over 100 breweries to choose from.
96. Fort Knox
Fort Knox in Maine is a historic fort located on the Penobscot River. It was built between 1844 and 1869 and is now a popular tourist attraction.
97. A replica of Stonehenge
The replica of Stonehenge made entirely of old refrigerators, known as “Henge,” in the town of Edgecomb, Maine, was created in 1986.
Disasters and mysteries
98. The Great Gale of 1898 was a devastating hurricane that struck the coast of Maine, causing widespread destruction and claiming many lives. It remains one of the most significant natural disasters in Maine’s history.
99. The “Dash,” a ghost ship, mysteriously appeared in 1885 in Penobscot Bay. Its crew was missing, and the ship was in perfect condition, sparking numerous theories and legends about its origin.
10 largest cities in Maine
Portland
It was the first state capital of Maine and serves as the closest transatlantic port to Europe. Portland is also the 20th largest fishing port in the United States.
Lewiston
It is the second-largest city in Maine and was named one of the top 25 places to retire in 2017 by Forbes magazine.
Bangor
Popularly known as Maine’s “Queen City,” the city of Bangor was established in the mid-1800s by European-Americans. Today, retail, education, healthcare, and services are the main drivers of prosperity in the Bangor economy.
South Portland
It broke off from Cape Elizabeth in 1895 and is widely known as the region’s center for industry and retail. The city’s economy is driven by its proximity to transportation options including marine, air, rail, and highways.
Auburn
Located in south-central Maine, Auburn was first settled in 1786 at which time it was a part of Bakerstown. Today, the city is also one-half of the Lewiston-Auburn Twin Cities.
Biddeford
A city in York County Maine, Biddeford is home to the annual La Kermesse Franco-Americaine Festival and The University of New England. It is also one of America’s earliest European settlements – first visited in 1616.
Sanford
The seventh-largest city in Maine, Sanford is located on the Mousam River and features many wooded areas and lakes. It is also a part of the Maine metropolitan area.
Saco
It was originally settled by the Sokoki tribe of Abenaki Indians. It got its name in 1653 from an Algonquian term that means “river mouth.” Saco is also a popular tourist attraction in Maine thanks to the amusement parks and recreational spots.
Westbrook
The city of Westbrook got its current name from Colonel Thomas Westbrook. Originally, the city was named after Saccarappa Falls. Westbrook is also home to the Rock Row activity hub where residents and visitors alike can enjoy everything from an intimate date night to a rock concert.
Augusta
Not to be confused with Augusta, Georgia, Augusta is the current state capital of Maine. At its current population of approximately 19,000, Augusta Maine is one of the least populated state capitals in the United States. In fact, Pierre, South Dakota and Montpellier, Vermont are the only two state capitals with smaller populations than Augusta.
About the flag of Maine
History
The current Maine state flag was adopted in February 1909 by the state legislature; it features Maine’s coat of arms on a blue background. Maine is among 26 American states that use a blue flag with a state seal.
Before 1909, there was the 1901 Maine flag that featured a green pine tree and a blue North Star. The pine tree was a common symbol in New England and it represented freedom.
A 2001 survey ranks Maine’s flag as one of the worst in America. In 2019, a bill was introduced by Maine lawmakers suggesting the adoption of a simpler flag based on the 1901 flag. A Maine resident also presented a design for a new flag. Measures to change the flag have failed.
Who Designed It
The state seal was created by Bertha Smouse. The original Maine state flag is the creation of General John T. Richards. He suggested a simple flag with a blue star in the canton and a pine tree in the center. The congress of Maine played a central role in designing the 1909 flag.
How & When It Came Into Being
To know about Maine flag, it is vital to understand how it came into being. The story of Maine’s flag starts in 1901 when the legislature published an official pattern of the flag featuring a green pine tree. A law was passed in 1909 that enacted a state flag; the law describes the size, colors, and other elements of the flag.
What Does the Flag Represent
The flag features a seaman and a farmer which represents Maine’s traditional reliance on agriculture. The blue color symbolizes justice, truth, vigilance, and loyalty. The pine tree represents Maine’s timber industry.
Why is The Flag Blue
War veterans in the legislature wanted a flag that resembled the battle flags of prior wars. They wanted the color blue because the uniform of the Union soldiers was blue while that of Confederacy soldiers was grey.
About Life in Maine
Maine is known for its jagged, rocky Atlantic Ocean coastlines, its mountains, forests and picturesque waterways. It is celebrated for its wild blueberries and excellent seafood (especially lobster and clams). Today, the coastal and ‘down east’ parts of the state (especially Portland), have become recognized as vital region for the creative economy although it also suffers from a high incidence of poverty, especially in its rural areas.
The culture of Maine inheres in the attributes of people struggling with the frontier who live in a diverse and eclectic society that has contact with a range of other cultures. The songs, folktales, stories and humor of its people are earthy and direct that usually highlight the absurdity of people’s awkward and humorous attempts (and failure) to conquer nature.
The state has a well-known connection with the sea (as well as a reputation for fine seafood) and has a rich history of voyages that its inhabitants made to Europe and Asia. It has a rich history of shipbuilding as well as examples of its sailors’ art of wood carving and scrimshaw. Today Maine also leads a revival in local crafts such as pottery, weaving, carving and metal work.
Maine has a rich tradition for serving as the birthplace, or permanent/seasonal home, for many famous American artists including writers such as Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and Stephen King and painters including Andrew Wyeth and Winslow Homer. Maine’s heritage in art is also reflected in the state’s finest museum, the Portland Museum of Art, and its support for many cultural and arts programs throughout its communities.
Maine is celebrated by its inhabitants as one of the quietest, most serene and peaceful states to live in. It has a population of only 1.3 million people and an estimated 24 billion trees making it an ideal location for people that want to escape city living. With over 90% of its area covered by forest it also features over 3500 miles of rugged Atlantic coastline making it a nature lovers paradise.
Maine – Quick facts and state symbols
| State Abbreviation | ME |
|---|---|
| State Capital | Augusta |
| Largest City | Portland |
| State Size | Total (Land + Water): 35,385 sq miles; Land Only: 30,862 sq miles |
| Population | 1,095,962 (Estimate July 1, 2023 from United States Census Bureau) |
| Statehood | March 15, 1820 |
| State rank by population | 42nd |
| State rank by date of formation | 23rd |
| State rank by area | 39th |
| Number of Counties | 16 |
| Demonym | Mainer |
| Bordering States | New Hampshire |
| Official Language | None |
| Highest Point | Mount Katahdin 5,270 ft (1606.4 m) |
| Lowest point | Atlantic Ocean Sea level |
| Length | 320 miles (515 km) |
| Width | 210 miles (338 km) |
| Governor | Janet Mills (D) |
| Senate President | Troy Jackson (D) |
| Electoral Votes | 4 |
| State Motto | Dirigo (I lead) |
| State Nickname | Pine Tree State |
| % Water | 13.5 |
| Famous people | Anna Kendrick (Actress) Patrick Dempsey (Actor) |
| State Flag |
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| State seal |
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| State coat of arms |
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| State Animal | Moose
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| State Berry | Blueberry
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| State Bird | Chickadee
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| State Cat | Coon Cat
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| State Dog | Chinook
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| State Fish | Landlocked salmon
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| State Floral Emblem | White Pine Cone and Tassel |
| State Fossil | Pertica quadrifaria
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| State Gem | Tourmaline
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| State Insect | Honey bee
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| State Crustacean | Lobster |
| State Tree | Eastern white pine
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| State Herb | Wintergreen
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| State Vessel | Bowdoin
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| Longitude | 66° 57′ W to 71° 5′ W |
| Latitude | 42° 58′ N to 47° 28′ N |
| Time Zone | Eastern Time Zone |
| Website | www.maine.gov |
| Area Codes | 207 |
| Table last updated | June 27, 2024 |
