Tucked far away into the northeastern corner of the United States — as far north and east as one can travel without entering America’s northern neighbor — lies a state as shrouded in mystery as it is shrouded in lush forests.
Indeed, Maine is covered with more forested land than any other in the Union — a small piece of trivia.
The story Maine has to tell is one of singular importance to the region it inhabits and the country in which it resides.
For thousands of years, Indigenous people lived and thrived in what is modern-day Maine, but the earliest European settlements began right around the turn of the 17th century. While the territory would be hotly contested by the British and French for the next century or so, the area would fall under British control, which would later be ceded to the U.S. following the Revolutionary War. Maine would be made a state in 1820, notably a non-slave one.
Maine is a natural wonderland, to be sure, but it also holds treasured stories and a history that is vital to the American tale. Thankfully, a few of these tales and important events are preserved in its three National Monuments.
Read on to learn more about “The Pine Tree State”:
Portland Headlight In Cape Elizabeth: Maine owes much of its story fodder to the mighty ocean it borders. This National Monument is a testament to the tumultuous relationship between its rugged shoreline and the mighty North Atlantic Ocean. The people of Portland commissioned the lighthouse around the time of America’s War for Independence from the British as a way to safeguard against invasion in the North Atlantic. For decades that followed, the lighthouse would be a welcome beacon for sailors the world over. Today, visitors can tour the structure, explore the nearby outbuildings and ecological exhibits onsite, or simply enjoy the pristine Maine beaches protected at this incredible site.
Photo Courtesy Portland Headlight
Katahdin Woods And Waters National Monument: This spot is often referred to as “a gift to the nation,” and what a gift it is! Katahdin Woods And Waters is an unparalleled parcel of untouched, pristine Maine backcountry consisting of mountains, valleys, rivers and streams, and amazing wildlife and plantlife. A newer National Monument, it makes up more than 87,000 acres in Penobscot Country, Maine, and was donated by one of the founders of the popular lifestyle brand Burt’s Bees. Today, there are virtually limitless outdoor activities for visitors to enjoy, from hiking and boating to stargazing, camping, biking, and fishing. This site is one monument that can’t be missed!
Photo Courtesy NPS
Maine State House: This National Monument, located in the state seat of Augusta, has long been the cradle of the people’s power in the 23rd state in the Union. The stunning structure was completed in 1832, just a year after the capital of Augusta was established. It was designed by Charles Bulfinch, the third architect of the capitol building in Washington, D.C., and took three years to complete. While not much of the original building still stands in working order, expansions and renovations on the grounds have grown the State House into a larger governmental complex from which the legislature and courts do their work. Today, visitors can tour the grounds or even sit in on specific legislative sessions as the schedule allows, giving citizens from all over the country a chance to see democracy at work in real time.
Photo Courtesy Maine State Legislature
