Life on a Maine island.

Ever think what would it be like living on a island in Maine?

Yes the hidden small out to sea community is part of the state of Maine.

seacoast-maine-rock-coast
Maine Rock Bound Coastline, Islands. ‘Hole “Nother Expericence.

But a lot like your own country. One surrounded by water and just off the Maine shoreline. Or further out to sea. Monhegan Island is a place on the travel plans. Before I go, it’s wise to bone up and get ready with a knowledge of the history, the sample the community flavor.

So from days years ago as a broadcast journalist, in an earlier life as a young grass hopper, what can I share about Monhegan Island?

The island of Monhegan, a plantation in the Gulf of Maine. About ten to twelves miles off the mainland, depending on your news source. The Maine island is part of Lincoln County.

Monhegan has a shadow island of Manana that is often in the same tourism write up information. The name is Abenaki language meaning “out to sea island”. It chews up about 55 to 70 minutes for the ferry ride out and back to Monhegan Island. Like most of living in Maine, it depends on the weather.

Here’s the ferry schedule and cost to hitch a watery ride to Monhegan Island.

The Monhegan Boat Line, make contact at 880 Port Clyde Road Port Clyde, Maine 04855 1 (207) 372-8848

The Laura B or the Elizabeth Ann are the two ferry boats to get you to and fro from Monhegan Island.

It was back in 1603 you start seeing information about the earlier explorers stopping by Monhegan Island.  Way way before Maine became a state in 1820.

There are tales of pirates, fishing and fur trading commerce in the Wikipedia link above. Tourism is part of the business model for Monhegan Island.

The local Monhegan Island Maine town website.

Here is a video for from just 5 days ago that popped up online as I start the plans to visit Monhegan Island soon.

Monhegan’s Island Inn adds a lot of information to anyone toying with a stay there.

They remind that power is generated locally, no ten mile extension cord from the mainland. So hair dryers, air conditioners, mini fridge in your room or anything that is a big power hog. None of that are in your stay at the Monhegan Island Inn.

It’s let everything air dry and take your time using Mother Nature.

You look way way better in that wind swept dried slowly anyway right? Your hair does not have to be perfect in the sea breeze. No one to impress with only 64 full time year rounders on the Maine island. That population swells to 400 as the red colored temperature rises in the glass tube. But those snowbirds retreat quickly as the temperature sinks, goes the other way.

Monhegan Island is a walking island scare larger than a square mile.

Fishing, tourism are the main income source for the Monhegan Island economy. Agriculture is encouraged and potatoes have been raised on the island that measures about 1000 acres more or less.

rope shed monhegan island
What’s Going On? Who’s Selling What? Everything You Need To Know On Monhegan Island.

You can text, make a cell call but the Internet is no robust beyond the basics. I won’t be shooting a video and trying to upload the render to the clouds above Monhegan Island on the trip there.

Here’s a video for the Island Inn Monhegan Maine.

Who hungers, thirsts for a life experience on a Maine island? Anyone seeking  one of simplicity, self sufficiency. That seems to enjoy their own company. Or just a small circle of friends sans the crowd setting, paid parking and traffic. It’s use your feet, peddle power tooling around Monhegan Island. Leave whatever you drive parked back on the mainland.

Lot of seagull chatter dubbed in, but no talking, just neat visuals to swallow from the Island Inn Monhegan Maine video.

Henry Trefethren of Kittery Maine for three hundred pounds on February 6, 1790 purchased Monhegan Island.

He wanted to buy it as early as back on October 2, 1777 from Benjamin Bickford. Not sure if the little skirmish with the Red Coats across the pond was the cause for delay or not.

When Mr Bickford bought Monhegan Island in 1770 there was a lone residence, a single barn.

The original Henry Trefethren Homestead dubbed “The Red House” is parked on rocks at middle beach  (Swim Beach). Ruth Grant Faller produced a fine book that one by one outlines all the houses on Monhegan Island with imagery, descriptions, the family connection history.

Stay tuned faithful Me In Maine blog post readers. I will be sure to take a few cameras in the days ahead. Maybe the drone if weather and wind allows to capture more details up close and personal from Monhegan Island Maine.

I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker

207.532.6573  |  info@mooersrealty.com 

MOOERS REALTY 69 North Street Houlton ME 04730 USA