Town of Cumberland, Maine

Cumberland, Maine is a quaint town with a population of around 8,500 people. It’s located just shortly past Portland and before Freeport, and on the coast of Casco Bay. The town still has ties to its strong agricultural and farming roots and prides itself on being family-friendly. It’s also a very safe place to live, having been named in both 2020 and 2021 as Maine’s safest town based on its (zero) violent crime statistics.

A Brief History

The town of Cumberland was incorporated in 1821 after it split from North Yarmouth, which it was originally part of. Cumberland is historically a farming town. They grew crops, apple orchards, flowers, and had dairy farms, too. There was also a shipbuilding business in the 1800s. Some of its businesses from the late 19th century are still standing today, like Spring Brook Farms and Sweetser’s Apple Barrel & Orchards.

Exploring Cumberland Maine

Cumberland, while still small, is now one of the wealthiest areas in the state. The good news is that visitors can experience all of the same great things as residents!

Even though Cumberland split from North Yarmouth, the two towns still share the same school district, MSAD 51. There’s Mabel I. Wilson School, Greely Middle School, and Greely High School, all located in the neighborhood of Cumberland Center. The MSAD 51 district has been ranked as one of the top school districts in Maine for years and has consistently upheld a graduation rate of 95% and above. Cumberland Center also houses the town hall, the library, post office, Atlantic Regional Federal Credit Union, and the fire department.

Businesses in Cumberland are more service-oriented than entertainment-related. There are several different types of pet service businesses here, including a dog care facility called Charlie’s Friends. There are two veterinarians: Westside Animal Hospital and Cumberland Animal Clinic. There’s a handful of farms, including the two long-standing ones mentioned before.

For health services, you’ll find a pediatric clinic, a podiatry clinic, a chiropractor, and three dental practices. For relaxation and leisure in Cumberland, you can visit Lucinda’s Day Spa or Skin Deep Day Spa for a massage, facial, or any number of spa treatments.

Restaurants

Cumberland has a few casual American eateries, one of the most popular being Louie’s Grille. It has a wood-paneled dining room, wooden tables, and wooden booths. It feels homey, and classically Maine. They serve American food and seafood—classics like burgers, mussels, and mac and cheese. Whatever meal you order, you’ll get a big enough portion for leftovers the next day.

Right across the street from Louie’s is Cumberland Food Stop. This place is like a convenience store, grocery store, and mini restaurant all in one. They sell wine, craft beer, pantry goods, fresh produce, dairy products, and even fresh-cut, high-quality meat. You can also order freshly made meals to go at their counter like burgers, pizzas, paninis, wraps, and more. If you’re not in the mood for a sit-down meal in public but still want restaurant-quality food, you’ll find it at the Food Stop. Other casual places to eat in this town are Cumberland House of Pizza, Caddy’s Ice Cream Shack, Bru-Thru Coffee Shack, and Rachel’s On The Green.

Popular Attractions

The Cumberland Fair is a multi-day annual agricultural and farmers’ fair with tons of activities and events centered around farm animals, crop contests, cooking demonstrations, and exhibits. Crop contests include the Maine State Pumpkin and Squash Weigh-Off. The fair draws in thousands of visitors every year and has been taking place annually since 1868. Every day of the fair has a nearly endless schedule of different events to check out. You’ll love visiting the animal pens and looking at the gigantic crops that are up for prizes.

Like many towns in Maine, Cumberland has some gorgeous parks to visit, but they offer more than just a pretty view. These listed parks have features like athletic fields and trail systems for walking and skiing. Here are just a few of Cumberland’s most notable parks.

Twin Brook is a whopping 250-acre park that has athletic fields like baseball, softball, soccer, and even a disc golf course. There are 4 miles of wooded walking trails. In the winter, many of the trails are groomed to set up for cross-country skiing. The park has restrooms, and its huge size makes it a common venue for Cumberland events.

Cumberland’s Town Forest has two short loop trails for walking, both about three-quarters of a mile long. There’s a separate snowmobile trail for the winter months. Children especially will love walking the Story Walk loop, which you can get to by entering near the Cumberland Town Hall off of Drowne Road. The Story Walk is a project that posts pages of its currently chosen children’s book at protected intervals alongside the trail for families to read a story together as they walk among nature. The books are changed every month, so come back often to read a brand new story!

The size of Knight’s Pond Preserve is even bigger than Twin Brook at 300 acres. It has a wider walking trail network, totaling about 6 miles in total now with more to come, and a snowmobile trail. Dogs are allowed to come on leashes. You can find lots of vernal pools along the way, which are habitats for certain species of plants and animals. In the winter when Knight’s Pond freezes, people use it for ice skating. There’s plenty of wildlife among the woods, so keep your eyes open.

Overall, Cumberland is a safe, almost sleepy town where daily life is simple. Its agricultural origins have never left it, which shows in its nature and family-oriented culture today. Anyone who passes through here will feel like they’re home.

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