According to Educationvv, Waldo County is located in the Midcoast region of Maine and is part of the Downeast & Acadia region. With an area of 1,134 square miles, Waldo County has a population of approximately 39,000 people. The county seat and largest city is Belfast, with other cities and towns including Searsport, Lincolnville, Northport and Unity. The main industries in Waldo County are forestry and fishing. The county has several state parks and forests that offer recreational activities such as biking, hiking, camping, boating and fishing. There are also several lakes within the county boundaries that provide excellent swimming opportunities. Education in Waldo County is provided by five public school districts as well as two private schools. Higher education opportunities are available through University of Maine at Augusta’s Belfast Center located in Belfast. The county also has two community colleges: Eastern Maine Community College with campuses in Bangor and Calais; and Central Maine Community College with campuses in Auburn and South Paris. Healthcare services are provided by three hospitals located within the county: Waldo County General Hospital in Belfast; Penobscot Valley Hospital in Lincolnville; and Northern Light Health’s Blue Hill Memorial Hospital in Blue Hill.
History of Waldo County, Maine
The history of Waldo County, Maine dates back to the early 1600s. The original inhabitants of the area were the Abenaki Indians, who lived in small villages along the coast and on islands in Penobscot Bay. The first Europeans to explore the area were French explorers who arrived in 1604 and named it Acadia. In 1760, the county was established as part of Massachusetts and remained so until 1820 when it became part of Maine. During the Revolutionary War, Waldo County was a key supply center for American forces fighting against British troops in Nova Scotia. After the war, Waldo County experienced rapid growth due to its thriving lumber industry and its access to shipping routes via Penobscot Bay. By 1830, there were over 20 sawmills operating in Waldo County and several large shipyards that produced wooden sailing vessels for coastal trade. In addition to its lumber industry, Waldo County also became known for its granite quarries located near Belfast that produced some of the highest quality granite in New England. Today, Waldo County is home to several historical sites including Fort Knox State Historic Site located on Penobscot Bay; Marshall Point Lighthouse built in 1832; and a number of other museums dedicated to preserving local history such as Belfast Historical Society Museum and Searsport Historical Society Museum.
Major cities and towns in Waldo County, Maine
Waldo County, Maine is home to a variety of cities and towns. The county seat is Belfast, located on the banks of the Penobscot River. Belfast is known for its vibrant downtown area which features an array of restaurants, shops and galleries. Other major cities in Waldo County include Searsport, located along Penobscot Bay; Lincolnville, home to many historic sites; and Winterport, a rural community known for its small-town charm. In addition to these larger towns, Waldo County also includes several smaller villages such as Unity, which offers a variety of outdoor activities; Frankfort, a fishing village located on Penobscot Bay; and Brooksville, an unincorporated community with a rich history dating back to the early 1800s.
In addition to these larger cities and towns, Waldo County also includes many smaller hamlets such as Islesboro with its picturesque views of the bay; Northport with its rolling hills and lush forests; Prospect Harbor with its quaint fishing village atmosphere; Swanville with its beautiful beaches; Stockton Springs with its stunning views of Penobscot Bay; and Monroe which offers some of the best hiking trails in the region. Waldo County also includes several islands in Penobscot Bay such as Islesboro Island which is home to an abundance of wildlife including harbor seals and bald eagles. All together these cities and towns provide visitors and residents alike with plenty of opportunities for exploration and outdoor recreation while still maintaining their small-town charm.
Airports in Waldo County, Maine
According to countryaah.com, Waldo County, Maine is home to three airports: Belfast Municipal Airport, Knox County Regional Airport, and Penobscot Bay Regional Airport. Belfast Municipal Airport is the largest of the three and offers a variety of services and amenities including parking, rental cars, restaurants, and a flight school. This airport is located just outside of Belfast and serves both private pilots and commercial airlines. The Knox County Regional Airport is located in Owls Head and offers private pilot services as well as charter flights. Finally, Penobscot Bay Regional Airport is located in Rockland and provides services for both private planes and commercial airlines.
In addition to these airports, Waldo County also offers several other transportation options including bus service operated by Community Connector which provides daily trips between cities in Waldo County as well as regular service to Portland International Jetport; Amtrak Downeaster train service which connects Bangor with Boston; ferry services from Rockland Harbor to Vinalhaven Island; a seasonal passenger ferry from Searsport to North Haven Island; and water taxi services from several docks on Penobscot Bay. All together these transportation options provide visitors with easy access to all parts of Waldo County while still maintaining the small-town charm that makes this region so special.
