Town of Madawaska, Maine

Long before Madawaska was a town, and several centuries before the French exploration of the territory along the banks of the St. John River, this spot on the St. John River was a vital encampment for the Maliseet (or Malecite) nation for gathering, hunting, and fishing.

The word Madawaska has two meanings- one from the Maliseet meaning “porcupine place,” and the other from Algonquin, meaning “reeds at the fork of the river.”

The area was already well established when, in 1785, Acadians fleeing Nova Scotia to avoid being deported by the British settled alongside the Malecite. In June of the same year, the newcomers erected the “The Acadian Cross,” or “The Landing Site,” where they disembarked on the river.

The cross commemorates where the Acadians landed and serves as a reference point from where all Acadian history began here in St. John Valley. A large majority of Madawaska residents still speak French, and the Acadian Heritage is not only documented here but celebrated.

Farming was an early way of life, and the rich expanse of timber made the area with its river access highly sought-after territory. After many skirmishes, the Webster–Ashburton Treaty, signed in 1842, resolved several border issues between the United States and the British North American colonies (now Canada); Madawaska became the northernmost town in Maine.

Today, Madawaska is driven economically by the paper industry and agriculture and is home to many festivals, shops, eateries, services, activities. It also serves as the information center and foundation for Acadian history.

Let’s have a closer look at this northern Maine riverside town and see what makes Madawaska an exciting and unique place to visit.

Exploring Madawaska Maine

After a visit to the Acadian Cross along the banks of the St. John River, head on over to the Madawaska Centennial Log Cabin, home to the Tante Blanche Museum, on Main Street; the cabin is home to many artifacts donated to the Madawaska Historical Society and is a treasure trove of history and heritage.

If you’re wondering about the museum’s namesake—Tante (Aunt) Blanche was instrumental along with a hunting party in helping the community and her people survive the “black famine” of 1796; the cabin is a tribute to her care, concern (and fortitude) for her friends, family, and neighbors.

The Martin Acadian Homestead and Learning Center is a 200-year-old farm dedicated to preserving and sharing the history and activities of St. John Valley and a wonderful way to be involved in the region’s extraordinary history.

Another way to celebrate and participate in the colorful Acadian culture is to get involved in The Acadian Festival. The celebration is held every August and is a four-day festival of food, fireworks, music, and all things Acadian—a fun-filled event for your entire family.

Shopping and Dining

Madawaska is in Aroostook County, which produces 90% of all the potatoes harvested in Maine, making the potato—king of the county. A Québécois dish popular on both sides of the border here along the St. John River is poutine—fresh-cut, french fried potatoes topped with cheese curds and gravy.

Chez Helen Restaurant makes this traditional dish with a twist—adding Maine lobster to the mix. This “award-winning” entree celebrates the local heritage and regionally harvested ingredients.

Eat local and support local by buying fresh produce at Madawaska Farmer’s Market, open May through October on Main Street.

Madawaska is the northernmost Maine location for Marden’s Surplus & Salvage—a quirky and popular Maine-operated business, whose inventory is the stuff purveyed from “insurance salvages, closeouts, bankruptcies, liquidations” to provide “good old-fashioned deals.”

Marden’s is more of an adventure than a planned shopping excursion; it’s the kind of store you go into with absolutely no expectations and leave with things you never knew you needed.
What to Do Out and About

The Four Seasons Trail Association has something for every skill and age level; there’s hiking, biking, snowshoeing, skiing, and sledding adventures and events.

The park is a non-profit organization that offers free admission for everyone but promotes annual membership for continued improvement to the association.

The Four Corners Park is one of four destinations the Southern California Motorcycle Association has dedicated to long-distance motorcyclists as “checkpoints” to promote and encourage long-term, on-the-road biker life.

The other far-flung participating parks are in Key West, Florida, Blaine, Washington, and San Ysidro, California. A visit to each park gets you an invite to a special event commemorating the accomplishment and a mention on the website.

Madawaska Public Boat Landing is a launch area for small boats, canoes, and kayaks along the beautiful St. John River, and for camping along the banks while boating or paddling, check out the St. John River Campground.

Whether you are in Madawaska to celebrate or learn about your Acadian background or just traveling through, the people are warm and welcoming. The St. John Valley is a beautiful and lush region to explore.

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