Falmouth & Falmouth Foreside, Maine
Real Estate & Community Information
Travelers along Route 1 in southern Maine will delight in the town of Falmouth. Located just across the Portland border along the coast, Falmouth offers a variety of attractions for locals and visitors alike.
Cross the Martin's Point Bridge and continue along Route 1 to enjoy boutiques, shops and a variety of restaurants. Afterwards, enjoy the salty air of Casco Bay while on your hike around nearby Mackworth Island, home to Baxter School for the Deaf. Established by Governor Percival Baxter, the school is surrounded by a small field for picnicking, several beaches and a public trail all for a small entrance fee. Measuring just over a mile, the trail loops around the island treating visitors to views of Casco Bay, sandy beaches and rocky shores. It is the perfect place for an ocean-side picnic or shaded walk under the pine trees. As you explore this quiet island, be sure to pick up any interesting bits of shell, sea glass and driftwood to construct your own fairy house along the island's northern border. Leashed dogs are welcome. There is a small rest area and public parking is available.
Cross the Martin's Point Bridge and continue along Route 1 to enjoy boutiques, shops and a variety of restaurants. Afterwards, enjoy the salty air of Casco Bay while on your hike around nearby Mackworth Island, home to Baxter School for the Deaf. Established by Governor Percival Baxter, the school is surrounded by a small field for picnicking, several beaches and a public trail all for a small entrance fee. Measuring just over a mile, the trail loops around the island treating visitors to views of Casco Bay, sandy beaches and rocky shores. It is the perfect place for an ocean-side picnic or shaded walk under the pine trees. As you explore this quiet island, be sure to pick up any interesting bits of shell, sea glass and driftwood to construct your own fairy house along the island's northern border. Leashed dogs are welcome. There is a small rest area and public parking is available.
Back on the mainland, just north of the island is the Gilsland Farm Center, headquarters for Maine Audubon Society. The Center offers 2- miles of trails along the Presumpscot River estuary through the rolling hills, forests and salt marsh of Falmouth. Enjoy a picnic in their butterfly garden and marvel at the hundreds of peonies growing throughout the property. Throughout the year, the Audubon hosts nature walks, seminars and educational programs exploring the natural beauty of the area.
Once you've completely enjoyed all that Falmouth has to offer, venture along scenic Route 88 North, which winds through the coastline and admire the stately homes of Falmouth Foreside.
Once you've completely enjoyed all that Falmouth has to offer, venture along scenic Route 88 North, which winds through the coastline and admire the stately homes of Falmouth Foreside.
Falmouth's schools are ranked as one of the best in the State, with the Town providing all services for K-12.
It is a vibrant, independent town that provides most services to citizens itself; cooperative agreements with regional agencies and neighboring communities help to round out a full program of services.
Attractions in Falmouth include the local harbor and town landing, indoor and outdoor ice skating facilities, shopping, many parks and recreational facilities, 3 golf courses, and a medical center.
History
Beginning in 1652, Massachusetts officials visited the region to negotiate with Maine settlements to become a part of Massachusetts. Although these were peaceful negotiations, they took place with the thinly veiled threat of the sizable Massachusetts militia. So, after initial reluctance, Kittery and Georgeana (soon renamed York) joined in 1652 and Wells, Cape Porpoise, and Saco become part of the Bay Colony the following year. George Cleeve strongly opposed these actions and fought for Lygonia to remain independent, but he too finally yielded in 1658. The articles of agreement between the freemen of the region and Massachusetts specified that Black Point, Blue Point, and Stratton’s Islands would be organized as the town of Scarborough.
Meanwhile, Spurwink and the Casco Bay settlements would be brought together in one town that would be named Falmouth. Sometimes geographical similarity inspires a name. There certainly is a geographical similarity between Falmouth Bay in Cornwall, and Casco Bay. Although these geographical similarities may have helped inspire the name, there is powerful symbolism in the choice of the names “Falmouth” and “Scarborough” for Maine towns. Like its Puritan allies in Parliament, Massachusetts conquered its Royalist oppositions in Maine. The Puritans of Massachusetts must have considered “Falmouth” and “Scarborough” as appropriate names for the last Royalist strongholds in Maine to fall to Puritan Massachusetts. The Puritans of Massachusetts imposed the names Falmouth and Scarborough in conquest, a reminder to the population of their fate and of their new overlords.
It is a vibrant, independent town that provides most services to citizens itself; cooperative agreements with regional agencies and neighboring communities help to round out a full program of services.
Attractions in Falmouth include the local harbor and town landing, indoor and outdoor ice skating facilities, shopping, many parks and recreational facilities, 3 golf courses, and a medical center.
History
Beginning in 1652, Massachusetts officials visited the region to negotiate with Maine settlements to become a part of Massachusetts. Although these were peaceful negotiations, they took place with the thinly veiled threat of the sizable Massachusetts militia. So, after initial reluctance, Kittery and Georgeana (soon renamed York) joined in 1652 and Wells, Cape Porpoise, and Saco become part of the Bay Colony the following year. George Cleeve strongly opposed these actions and fought for Lygonia to remain independent, but he too finally yielded in 1658. The articles of agreement between the freemen of the region and Massachusetts specified that Black Point, Blue Point, and Stratton’s Islands would be organized as the town of Scarborough.
Meanwhile, Spurwink and the Casco Bay settlements would be brought together in one town that would be named Falmouth. Sometimes geographical similarity inspires a name. There certainly is a geographical similarity between Falmouth Bay in Cornwall, and Casco Bay. Although these geographical similarities may have helped inspire the name, there is powerful symbolism in the choice of the names “Falmouth” and “Scarborough” for Maine towns. Like its Puritan allies in Parliament, Massachusetts conquered its Royalist oppositions in Maine. The Puritans of Massachusetts must have considered “Falmouth” and “Scarborough” as appropriate names for the last Royalist strongholds in Maine to fall to Puritan Massachusetts. The Puritans of Massachusetts imposed the names Falmouth and Scarborough in conquest, a reminder to the population of their fate and of their new overlords.
By 1716, the Legislature of Massachusetts felt the New Casco Fort was no longer necessary and ordered it to be torn down. However, Samuel Moody did not agree with this decision; so he decided if the fort must come down, he would use the lumber and materials to make a settlement for his soldiers and their families. In 1718, Falmouth was once again declared a town, using the same boundaries and same name it had been given in 1658.
The original boundaries of the town extended all the way from the Spurwink River in Scarborough up the coast to a point opposite Clapboard Island. This covered most of what is now Westbrook, Cape Elizabeth, South Portland, Portland and Falmouth. Cape Elizabeth and South Portland broke away in 1765, Portland in1785, and Westbrook in 1814, leaving Falmouth the size it is today.
The current Town Hall was built in 1899 and has seen many renovations during its 100 years. In 1962 the Council-Manager form of government was established. Since that time, the Town has had a Town Manager who is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the Town.
The original boundaries of the town extended all the way from the Spurwink River in Scarborough up the coast to a point opposite Clapboard Island. This covered most of what is now Westbrook, Cape Elizabeth, South Portland, Portland and Falmouth. Cape Elizabeth and South Portland broke away in 1765, Portland in1785, and Westbrook in 1814, leaving Falmouth the size it is today.
The current Town Hall was built in 1899 and has seen many renovations during its 100 years. In 1962 the Council-Manager form of government was established. Since that time, the Town has had a Town Manager who is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the Town.