Kennebec Lakes Region the Playground of Central Maine 1939
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c4 Co~dia[ [/nuitation Ta Yau . .. to come and enjoy a summer holiday in the K~NN~B~C LAK~S R~GION - that charming vacationland of lakes and ponds and sparkling streams ... of waving pines and sunny meadows . of thrilling sport and fun-filled days - in a cordial, "Down ~ase' atmosphere. COPYRIGHT 1939, THE KENNEBEC LAKES ASSOCIATION WINTHROP MAINE AUGUSTA Gateway to the Kennebec Lakes Region AUGUSTA - Maine's attractive Capital City on the terraced banks of the Kennebec River, is the gateway to the charming KENNEBEC LAKES REGION, a few miles westward. Smooth rib, bons of highway radiate from Augusta to weave continuously through this panoramic picture, land. Rich in Colonial tradition, this cultural center of many beautiful homes and a substan, tial commercial and industrial life has many points of scenic and historic interest. Notably among these is old Fort Western (restored), originally established as a trading post in 1628 near its present site and called Cushnoc by the Indians. It was first visited by a white man in 1607. Trading was so highly profitable that the Pilgrims were able to pay the expense of the Mayflower expedition with furs from the Ken, nebec. It was here that the Benedict Arnold Maine's Capitol expedition gathered for a week in September, 1775, before starting for Quebec. traInIng school for the recruits to the' State On a commanding height affording a mag, Police force. Here also are four runways of nificent view of the winding river valley is Augu ta's $125,000 State airport, one of the Camp Keyes where the 43d Division of the Na, finest in the East, with hangars and adminis, tional Guard meets. On this level, mile, square tration building. A revolving beacon sweeps plateau are local military headquarters, and the the sky nightly. Fort Western built in 1754 on the hanks o{ the Kennehec at Augusta Other points of interest in Augusta and en~ virons are: The State House, with its depart~ mental, executive and legislative branches, its fine museum, hall of flags and library; a 20~ acre State Park, one of the most attractive spots in Augusta, running from the Capitol grounds to the Kennebec River; Ganeston Park of 475 beautifully forested acres, west of the Capitol, with opportunity for horseback riding, hiking, picnicking and winter sports; the James G. Blaine House, now the Executive Mansion; the The Blaine Mansion - Home of Maine's Governor Macomber Playground; and, five miles east~ ward on Route 3, the U.S. V eterans Adminis~ tration Facility, a reservation of 1752 acres for Up~to~date stores, two large, modern picture disabled veterans. theatres, excellent hotels, apartments, tourists' Augusta with a population of over 17,000 accommodations and restaurants cater to a has forty~two widely diversified industries giv~ clientele of vacationists who prefer the comfort ing employment to two thousand in cotton tex~ and attractions of small city life, making daily tiles, paper, power, shoes, lumber, publishing excursions into the country and to the nearby and printing and is a trading center of more lakes, golf courses and country clubs reached than 75,000 city and suburban residents. by automobile in 10 to 20 minutes. The Augusta Country Club -18 hole golf course - 2 lighted tennis courts COBBOSSEECONTEE LAKE SECTION Manchester, West Gardiner, Litchfield THE BEAUTIFUL Cobbosseecontee Lake section the white man; and at night their campfires is the answer to that desire for r0111ance in were 111irrored in the glassy waters of the lake. every man's blood - that quest of beauty and In the meadows and clearings they raised corn thrilling adventure in a glamorous scenic set~ which was ground by hand into meal. Their ting. Search Maine from Kittery to its north~ arrowheads and crude implements are today ernmost boundaries and it would be difficult to frequently unearthed on the sandy points or find an equal spread of water with more capti~ the sheltered cove where they made their vating charm than Lake Cobbosseecontee. In homes. today's vernacular - it has everything. There is A Lake of Primitive Charm a thrill of greatness about it ..... of magnifi ~ cence. Whoever has fallen under its spell seeks Lake Cobbosseecontee and its no other mistress. One feels that he could surrounding region ~till maintains pass a life time of perpetual vacation here with~ its primitive charm. Its shores out surfeit. are heavily wooded; its The Indians first came under the spell of rugged, irregular contour Cobbosseecontee, "place broken into jutting points of abundant sturgeon;" alternating with coves here they lived on its pine~ and crescent beaches of clad shores ..... speared clean, white sand- ideal sal1110n and sturgeon to for bathing and water be dried and smoked sports. Number ~ for winter food . .... less wooded islands hunted 11100se and deer greatly enhance the ..... traded furs with spectacular beauty Bass ( 0 be proud of in Cobbosseecontee Lake. ) a iling is rapiLll-'1 becoming one of che besc sj)orts at Cobbosseeconcee. of Cobbosseecontee's broad expanse and elus, ter in the center like a constellation, nearly bi, secting the lake. Some are of horseshoe shape, making snug harbors for camping parties, pic, nics, corn and weenie roasts and steak fries. Canoeing, rowing and motorboating is a safe pastime as the Lake is rarely too rough for this sport. Largest Lake in this Region TEN miles long by one to two miles wide and extending north and south, Cobbosseecontee is the largest lake in the Kennebec Lakes Region and the first to be met in approaching from the east, on Route 202. The east side of the Lake lies within the towns of Manchester, West Gardiner and Litchfield. Manchester, an at' tracti ve and prosperous rural town, four miles from Augusta on Route 202, is the most direct approach. It is one mile from Manchester to the Lake shore at The Augusta Country Club and the Hammond's Grove Sun1mer Colony among the Pines; just beyond is Island Park, a unique resort joined to the mainland by road and bridge. Country Club, Golf and Tennis THE Augusta Country Club with its flower, bedecked lawns and elose,cropped greens and fairways bordering the lake, commands a pano, ramic view of inspiring beauty. Architecturally pleasing and expertly landscaped, the Country Club attracts a brilliant company of summer guests. Its attractive interior lends color to the social activitie centering here - dances, card parties - all enjoyed in a delightfully infor, 111al atInosphere. To summer visitors in the KENNEBEC LAKES REGION is extended the pri vi, leges of the Club ..... golf on one of the most expertl y designed 18 hole golf courses in the tate ..... tenni on mooth, fast courts, bril, liantly lighted for night playing ..... archery ..... putting on the green ..... and partici, pation in social events, n1atches and tourna, 111 nt . Island Park ing fish and game as ociation, give battle royal, especially in the spring and early summer ISLAND PARK'S alluring setting in a pine grove at months. Trout are natural breeders, too, in the water's edge makes the dance pavilion a ro, "Cobbossee" running from two to five pounds. mantic spot for summer guests who dance to Small mouth black bass is another game fish the captivating charm of rhythmic music. The with which the Lake is well stocked. Tempting needle carpeted forest is ideal for picnics; bath, pan fish supply the table at all times for Cob, ing and water sports are enjoyed here; and bosseecontee Lake is ample enough for the var, boats, canoes and "outboards" available for ious species of fish to thrive without interference. fishing or cruising. Three streams, two entering and one leaving the Lake provide fascinating canoe trips of two Salmon, Trout: and Bass to twenty miles. Juggernaut Stream connects with Annabessacook Lake; Cobbossee Stream LANDLOCKED salmon inhabit the waters of the meanders from the Outlet to Gardiner, a dis, Lake and catches of 10 pounds are not unusual. tance of nearly 20 miles. Jock stream winds The smaller salmon, "planted" by an enterpris, through a low marshy country frequented by ducks during the fall months. Along the shores of the Lake and streams are summer camps and cottages with innumerable beautiful sites for purchase. On Cobbosseecontee is located the State Y.M.C.A. Camp for boys, two other ex, cellent private camps for boys, two girls' camps, one reconditioning camp and sev, eral fine sporting camps for adults. C obbosseecontee Lake Winthrop- The Playground Center of Maine water and the opportunity to cultivate their To THE Abnaki tribe of Indians, to the first settlers and to the present residents and sum' farms and raise their families. The residents mer visitors, Winthrop, once called Pond Town, and the summer visitors of today are held by has always possessed an enduring charm. The the same subtle influence felt by the Indians and Indians found their Iivelihood in the streams by their forebears. and lakes teeming with fish and in the forests The Indian trails from the Kennebec River to abounding in game. They named the lake Cobbosseecontee, to Annabessacook, to the nearest to their homes on the banks of the N arrows Pond, to Maranacook in Winthrop Kennebec, "Cobbosseecontee," the "place of and to the lakes of Monmouth, Wayne, Read, sturgeon," and the lake farther to the westward, field, Mt. Vernon and Vienna, were easily found by the first settlers "Maranacook," "place when, in 1765, after the where deer are found." Indians had vanished, With twelve lakes within they came to select sites its lin1its and on its bor, and to build their homes. ders, Winthrop is indeed Through many of these the heart of the Lake l .....,;w ., early Indian trails the de, Region.