Town of Milo, Maine

Milo is a small, friendly town in Piscataquis county and includes the village of Derby. It is part of the Maine Highlands area and is a short drive from the large city of Bangor.

It is often referred to as “The Town of Three Rivers” because it sits in the valley between the Piscataquis, Sebec, and Pleasant Rivers.

This small community of about 2,400 shares their interests, history, local entertainment, shopping, and restaurants with the other towns that make up the Three Rivers Community: Brownville, LaGrange, Sebec, Medford, Bowerbank, and Lakeview.

Popular activities here include boating, fishing, hiking, and hunting. There are trails for snowmobiling in the winter and for ATV use the rest of the year.

Milo’s small-town appeal can be found in its many festivals including:

• The Black Fly Festival is hosted in June, and features live music, a parade, crafters, and food vendors.
• Hometown Holidays is hosted in December and features crafts, food, caroling, pictures with Santa, tree lighting and a parade all at The Town Hall.
• Ice Fishing Derby takes place in January and features a fishing contest with prizes held at Schoodic Lake.

Exploring Milo Maine

This area was first settled in 1802 by Benjamin Sargent from Methuen, MA, and his son. In 1823 the town was established as Milo and named for Milo of Croton (a famous athlete from ancient Croton in Magna Graecia, Italy).

During the 1800s, Milo became a trade center for the area. Many mills were set up here drawing their power from local Trafton Falls. In 1868, the Bangor and Piscataquis Railroad was established and Milo became known as a small mill town by providing their goods (lumber, woolens, and textiles) to other communities nearby.

Today the Milo Historical Society and Museum at 12 High Street showcases this rich history with displays, artifacts, photos and archives.

This is a great place to visit if you are interested in learning more about the village of Derby, or Milo Junction as it once was known. This was once home to the 2nd largest railroad car and repair shop in all of New England.

Another great place to visit for a look into the past is Harrigan Learning Center and Museum located on 15 Harris Pond Road.

This archeological and geological museum is open from May through October and has many fossils, minerals, gems, and Native American artifacts on display. If you’re interested in paleontology you’ll want to stop by and see what fossils they have from that era.

They also have a discovery room, a reference library, and a gift shop on the premises. And they frequently have guest speakers.

Also, check out the Brownville and Points North Visitors Center
located here to get an idea of other local sites and amusements.

Lakes and Parks

Veterans Park is located on Water Street and is a peaceful, scenic spot to have a picnic, take a leisurely stroll, or fish. The park lies adjacent to the Sebec River and has many beautiful granite memorial plaques dedicated to fallen soldiers.

There is a boat ramp, docks, picnic area, and gazebo here.

Stop by Elaine’s Basket Cafe and Bakery at 38 Main St and pick up a picnic lunch to have in the park.

There are three nearby lakes to enjoy when you visit Milo.

Schoodic Lake is clean and clear and very deep (188 ft at its center). There are many vacation rentals available on this lake making this a perfect summer destination to swim, boat, and fish.

Sebec Lake is nearby Peaks-Kenny State Park. Visit for the day or camp out overnight and enjoy all that this beautiful park has to offer. Set in the woods and on the lake it’s a perfect spot for a picnic and to swim, fish, boat, and hike.

Seboeis Lake also has a lot to offer, including trails, sandy beaches, rocky headlands, fishing, birdwatching, and camping. It’s about an hour’s drive from Milo.

If you’re looking for more hiking trails and outdoor adventures take a drive up to nearby Mount Katahdin and Baxter State Park.

Everything Else

Milo is a small town and as such doesn’t have a lot to offer for hotels, restaurants, and malls. But you can find these in the nearby towns of Dover-Foxcroft, Guilford, and Dexter.

If you’re looking for fresh veggies stop by the Farmer’s Market at Wyman’s Farm. They also have 2 large greenhouses with flowers and plants for sale.

Start planning your trip to this lovely little town in Maine.

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