the wandering chick
...Boothbay
the harbor, Ocean Point and Cape Newagen
Boothbay is a large peninsula in Mid-coast Maine, about an hour north of Portland. It comprises many smaller villages, towns and islands, each with its own name, coves and harbors.
To name a few, there's Boothbay East, Boothbay Harbor and West Boothbay Harbor, Ocean Point and Southport. Then there's Cape Newagen, which is a part of Southport. And so is Squirrel Island. And so it goes. There are more.
Maine's coast is an open invitation to excellent inns, B&Bs and cottages that hug the rocky seashore with views of blue, glassy waters as far as the eye can see. There are several lighthouses in the area that add to the beauty of any shoreline.
The biggest tourist gathering is Boothbay Harbor with restaurants and shops on both sides of Booth Bay. It's from there that boat cruises of any sort one may want leave. Summer is the big season, bursting with the hustle and bustle of visitors from all over.
The outer-lying villages, like Ocean Point and Southport are, in comparison, quiet, serene and almost reverent. Take a nice stroll, catch a peaceful sunset or just sit and absorb the beauty. You'll find it around every bend.
Southport is another community that makes up Boothbay. I have given it its own page.
To see other Maine locations, please return to the Maine home page.
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The 1901 footbridge connects the two sides of Booth Bay and its harbor. It's a natural tourist attraction that allows scenic views of the harbor. It was reconstructed in the 1970s, having once been a swing bridge.
Mainers truly seem to love their buoys. You can't go far, rather driving or walking, without seeing them hanging from fences, porches, on sides of buldings and even in decorative (sometimes) piles in yards. I must admit they put a smile on my face.
Nothing much is said about the structure near the center of the bridge. I've read reference that, over the years, it has been a studio, a home and a shop. I cannot verify that, but it does not appear to have any real purpose other than to add a scenic touch to the bridge itself.
Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic church on the east harbor side
Shops, restaurants and hotels line the streets of Boothbay Harbor. It's also where you'll find the piers from where the various boat cruises leave.
A boat yard on Boothbay's east side
There are many things in my simple life that make me smile. Cairns, for one, a nice-smelling camp fire and buoys. So, going down a backroad in Boothbay headed for Ocean Point, I ran across a resident who had a for sale sign out by the side of the road at the end of his driveway. Surrounding the sign was a can for money and a half-dozen or so buoys. For $8 each, I figured I had found myself a real bargain! I bought an old, faded well-used lime green and white one...and smiled all the way to O.P. and back. (At the antique store in Boothbay Harbor, the prices for them start at $26, and they're not nearly as old and smelly.)
If I ever come back to this area, I think I might would choose Ocean Point to stay. A small, quiet, pristine community that looks out over the Atlantic. Rugged coastline and Burnt Island Lighthouse in the not-too-far distance.
A walking path above the coastline and easy access to parking are made available to the general public. The walk starts out on a narrow grassy path, but before long you're on large wide slabs of the coast.
Ram Island Light is located off the mainland of Boothbay on an island by the same name. This is one of many Ram Islands in Maine,. It marks the entrance to Boothbay Harbor and the Damiscotta River. Funding of $5,000 was appropriated for the building of Ram Island Light in 1837.
Burnt Island Lighthhouse is Maine's second oldest surviving lighthouse. It was built in 1821 and nothing has changed since. It sits on an island by the same name and can be seen from points on Boothbay. (Portland Head is the oldest lighthouse in Maine.)
The Janet M. Wilson Memorial Chapel was built and is maintained by the residents and friends of Ocean Point. It was dedicated in 1917 to the wife of Reverend Lewis Wilson.
Cape Newagen is a neighborhood of Southport. Its tiny cove makes a stunning sunset picture, with Cape Island just across the way. It's said that the home on Cape Island was that of actress Margaret Hamilton who is best known for her role as the witch in The Wizard of Oz. She died in 1985.
Cuckolds Light Station, as we see it today, was first lit in 1907. It can be seen as far as 14 miles out (12 nautical miles) and protects the entrance into Boothbay Harbor.
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