Town of Bowdoin, Maine
Source: Friends of Merrymeeting Bay Facebook
Merrymetting Bay from above
The community of Bowdoin is friendly and family-oriented and has been that way for many generations. The local elementary school is located here in Bowdoin and the middle and high schools are in nearby Topsham and shared with that town.
Exploring Bowdoin Maine
Bowdoin was founded in 1788 and named for the Bowdoin family (brothers William and James who were very influential here). Bowdoin College in nearby Brunswick was also named for James Bowdoin. This prestigious school was founded in 1794 and has turned out many great scholars including former US President Franklin Pierce, and literary greats Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and Nathaniel Hawthorne.
The town of Bowdoin has been an agricultural community since its early days. Sheep, apples, wheat, hay, and potatoes were popular during the 18th and 19th centuries. There were also many mills located here at that time as well as an ice company and a brickyard.
In 1993 Cindy and Tim Lavan purchased their first alpacas and their business has thrived ever since. Cindy spins, knits, and weaves the alpaca fleece into beautiful finished products that are available for sale in many local stores. She also turns the fleece into Huacaya and Suri alpaca yarns for sale.
Source: Bowdoin College Facebook
Bowdoin College from Above
The Bowdoin Historical Society
The Historical Society maintains The Old Bowdoin Town Office as their headquarters. There is also a small museum located here at 23 Cornish Drive.
They also look after and help to preserve The Old Bowdoin Center School. This one-room small neighborhood school was moved to its current location by the Historical Society. In 1789 there were some 18 schools just like this one but today they’ve all disappeared or are in bad condition.
The First Baptist Church of Bowdoin and Coombs Cemetery are also looked after by The Historical Society. This Federal/Greek revival-style church was built in 1839. It’s a small wooden framed building with a small cemetery beside it. Both were part of an extensive property owned by Miss Viola Coombs and given to the community to use for worship.
Each of these old buildings is worth a stop if you’re passing through Bowdoin. Get a close-up glimpse of how life might have been in this small rural town two hundred years ago.
Another historical site worth a look at is the Monument at Bowdoin Center. This important structure was placed here in 1907 and dedicated to the memory of the Bowdoin Civil War Veterans. There are 128 names inscribed on the monument itself. And there is a cannon here as well, one that was used at Fort Popham on the Kennebec River during the Civil War. An interesting spot to visit.
Nature Walks
During the warmer months, Pleasant Pond is a great place to spend the day fishing, boating, and swimming. Peacock Beach, off of Rte 201 has a small beach, picnic tables, playing fields and restrooms.
Or, if you’re interested in exploring wildlife, check out Merrymeeting Bay. This large body of water consists of 9,600 acres of wetland habitat where you can glimpse both water creatures and migrating birds.
Since 1975, the non-profit group, Friends of Merrymeeting Bay, have helped to preserve this area with research, education, advocacy and land conservation efforts.
More to See Around Bowdoin
Maine takes its reputation as a vacationland very seriously and each town takes pride in its part in maintaining this experience for visitors to their community.
Bowdoin is a smaller town and more rural, which means that you have to look outside of town at neighboring Litchfield, Brunswick, Bowdoinham, Lisbon Falls, and Topsham for lodging, shopping and restaurants. But there are a few places here worth a visit.
Rocky Ridge Orchard is located at 38 Rocky Ridge Lane, and is open to the public from mid-June through the end of October each year. Pick your own apples here in the Fall or check out the seasonal fresh fruit and vegetables for sale. They have a bakery on-site and sell wonderful homemade treats such as apple cider donuts. And you can pick up a delicious deli sandwich and eat it while sitting on their large barn swing. They also have antiques and Maine gifts for sale.
Mitchell and Savage Maple Products is a popular spot to visit on Maple Sunday in March each year to get a taste of the yummy maple syrup and other maple products they sell. This 100-acre farm is located at 435 west Burrough Road.
The Potter’s House Inc. is a great place to stop by to see the beautiful pottery creations of Mary and Jeff Spencer.
Whether you’re just passing through or looking to relocate, stop in and visit a few of these sites in this quaint rural town of Bowdoin.
