The sun rises first in Eastport, making it the most eastern city in the United States. It also boasts the most northeasterly commercial shipping port in the US, hence the name Eastport. Eastport ships cargoes of paper products as well as some logs and granite to various international destinations. Once the site of a booming sardine fishing and canning industry, Eastport has evolved into the leading center of the aquaculture industry on the East Coast. It produces millions of pounds of fresh farm raised Atlantic salmon each year. Other industries include a U.S. military chemical warfare uniform production plant and the traditional fishing industry.

Tourism is also a growing industry, for there is great natural beauty to our area. On any given day (provided the season is right) one can see fascinating wildlife such as whales, porpoises, seals, bald eagles, osprey, ducks and sea birds. We even had a moose swim to town a couple years back! The unique maritime history of the area provides much to explore. Eastport is home to the world's second largest whirlpool, the "Old Sow". Eastport is the only US owned principality that has been under rule by a foreign government. It was held from 1814 to 1818 by British troops under King George following the conclusion of the War of 1812.

Currently, Eastport has a surprising amount to offer for a community so remote on the coast. There is a large community of artists living here year-round or as summer residents; a number of art galleries; an arts center, which offers a concert series, and art classes. A large co-op gallery, a very active community theater, and two museums provide culture to the inquisitive. Recreational opportunities include a tennis court, mini-golf, softball diamonds, ice-skating rinks, basketball courts, two golf courses within an hour's drive, hiking trails, sailing, whale watching, birding, and fresh and salt water fishing.

We have a fine school system with a new elementary school and a regional high school. The Marine Technology Center, a branch of the Washington County Technical College, offers training in boat building and refurbishing/painting as well as commercial fishing. The University of Maine at Machias is only 45 minutes away.

The municipal airport, with a 4,000 foot paved and lighted runway capable of receiving corporate jets also offers charter flights to Bangor, Portland, Boston and beyond as well as sight seeing flights.

There is a fully staffed medical center and a dialysis center on the island. There are two small hospitals nearby and a major medical center with excellent staff and facilities. The major medical center is Eastern Maine Medical Center. It is in Bangor which is two and a half hours away. Eastport has an ambulance service. Our fire department is volunteer, but very professional. We also have a fully staffed police department who take their jobs seriously, but always have time to stop and chat with people. Eastport has seven churches, two gas stations (one is full service), a large grocery store, two convenience stores, a pharmacy, several real estate brokers, an abundance of beauty parlors and several restaurants, both seasonal and year round.

On Route 190 just three miles outside Eastport is the Pleasant Point Indian Reservation home of the Passamaquoddy tribe, which you pass through to reach Eastport. It is a modern settlement with more than 700 descendants of the people who occupied this land before the first Europeans arrived in the 15th and 16th centuries.

We hope that you find this information helpful. Please do not hesitate to contact us further if you would like additional information. Again, thanks for your interest in the Eastport area. We hope to see you soon.

A HISTORY TRAIL

1. Eastport's National Historic Waterfront District extends from the Customs House down Water Street to Bank Square and the Peavey Library. The library displays the 1814 letter from Admiral Hardy demanding the citizens of Eastport swear loyalty to the British throne under threat from the cannons of his fleet. Later, downtown Eastport was severely damaged by fire in 1864 and 1886.
2. Eastport Barracks Museum. Located on Washington Street, this building was used as part of the officers' barracks for Fort Sullivan. It was moved to its present site in 1877. The Museum tells the story of Eastport's past. Among its collections are the results of an archeological dig on the fort site, a history of Eastport's fires, and its participation in the country's wars. There is an extensive genealogical collection. Open summers only, 10:00 - 4:00 on week days.
3. Raye's Mustard Mill, Eastport. America's only remaining mill producing stone ground mustard, historically this mill served the sardine packing industry. The mill shop is open 10:00 - 4:00 on week day. Tours of the mill and operation are available.
4. Fort Sullivan Site, Eastport. Fort Sullivan was built in 1808 to defend Eastport. The fort was taken by a British naval force led by Admiral Hardy in 1814. Moose Island was returned to the U.S. in 1818. Only the remains of the powder house exist on Fort Sullivan Hill today, located behind the parking lot of Shead High School. An earthworks battery still exists on Treat Island (located between Eastport and Lubec).
5. The Waponahki Museum Pleasant Point Reservation, Perry. The museum preserves the history, culture and language of the Passamaquoddy tribe. The collection includes photographs, traditional baskets, tools and life-size casts of tribal members. Language tapes and pamphlets are also available. Open by appointment. Call (207) 853-4001
6. 45 Parallel Degree Marker, Perry. In 1888, U.S.G.S. surveyors establishing a line of coastal "benchmarks" were so proud of their work and the painstaking accuracy that it required that they placed an additional marker at the point where the 45 degree line crossed Route 1. Some ten years later, local citizens replaced the temporary marker with the present red marker stone. This marks the spot where one could stand half way between the Equator and the North Pole!
7. St. Croix Island International Park (Overlook), Red Beach Community of Calais. In 1604, Samuel DeChamplain and Sieur DeMonts founded this French settlement. The severity of the winter climate (35 died from exposure and scurvy that winter) caused the colony to be abandoned the following spring. From the park the island is clearly visible.
8. Grace Episcopal Chapel, Robbinston. The summer chapel was built in 1852 by Dr. Steenstra, who studied at Harvard Divinity School and later had a parish in Philadelphia, from which he would come to Maine for the summer months. The interior is virtually untouched from its early years, with the original simple wooden seats and altar furniture.
   

   Russell Selwood Photo, Used by permission, All Rights Reserved

9. Robbinston boat landing, General Brewer established a boat yard at this site. General Brewer was awarded land in the area of Robbinston for his service in the Revolutionary War. The house he built circa 1795 can be seen when one looks north from the boat landing.
10. Pembroke Iron Works, Pembroke, The arches, visible on the west side of the Pennamaquan River where it crosses Route 1, are the only remains of the iron works. The Iron works was active off and on from 1828 to 1849, running consistently from 1849 until its closure in 1886. Pig iron and scrap iron were converted here to hoop tires, nails, railroad rails and bar stock.
11. Reversing Falls, Pembroke, This incredible natural feature has tidal rapids which reverse directions with the tide. Historically a ferry site was located here. Lumber and other supplies were floated on Cobscook bay and were transferred to schooners because navigation through the falls was so difficult.
12. West Quoddy Head Light, Lubec, This was one of the last manned lighthouses on the coast of Maine. Sail Rock, visible just off the shore, is the easternmost point of land in the United States. Whales and other marine life can often be seen from here. Extensive, well maintained trails offer a variety of hikes for differing fitness levels.
13. Treat Island Overlook, Treat Island is visible from many locations along Route 189, including from opposite the cemetery. Treat has had a long history. One famous visitor was Benedict Arnold, who traded on Treat. He stopped there on his flight to England during the Revolution. Treat was inhabited with approximately fifty houses and a community school. The island was purchased by the Army Corps of Engineers for use in the Passamaquoddy Tidal Power Project. The island is privately owned today.
14. Lubec Historical Society, Lubec Historical Society on Route 189 houses a collection of local history memorabilia and offers assistance with genealogy. Open Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays 9:00-3:00 in summer only.
15. The sardine Museum, Lubec, This museum located on Route 189 serves the history of the sardine industry which until recently was a mainstay of economic life in this entire area. Open Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Sundays 2:00-5:00; Saturdays 1:00-4:00 - summers only.
16. Roosevelt-Campobello International Park Campobello, New Brunswick, The Roosevelt cottage was the beloved summer home of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. It is restored as it was when the Roosevelt family summered there. There is an extensive set of beautiful trails maintained by the park.
17. Head Harbor Light, Campobello, New Brunswick, Located on the opposite end of the island from the International Bridge is Head Harbor Lighthouse. The lighthouse is now automated, but the keeper's house, lifeboat station and track all remain. The lighthouse is accessible to the able bodied at low tide stages. Use caution: It is possible to be stranded by the incoming water.

What makes the region and its history unique?

The first naval battle of the American Revolution occurred just off what is now Machiasport.

Moose Island, on which Eastport is located, was occupied by the British army from 1814 to 1818, when the border between the United States of America and British North America was finally agreed upon.

During the nineteenth century, the port of Eastport was a major shipping center for the United States, rivaling the port of New York in the 1850's. The lumber, stone and fish that were exported and the numerous commodities imported created a lively schooner trade up and down the east coast.

This prosperity enabled an increase in recreational pursuits, such as weekly concerts, community theater grand balls and cakewalks, and community athletic events. These live on today in the annual four-day July Fourth festivities, and in the community-wide interest in the high school basketball teams.

This region was the birthplace of the sardine industry.

The tides in this area, at the mouth of the Bay of Fundy, are the greatest in the United States. Tides reach 25 feet or more during storms. These tides were to be harnessed for electric power in the failed Passamaquoddy Tidal Power Project of the 1930's. The Quoddy Maritime museum on Water Street has a working model of the dam on display.

Passamaquoddy and Cobscook Bays are teeming with unique animal life both above and below the water. This has contributed both to the area's historic fisheries and its present aquaculture industry.

The proximity of Maine and New Brunswick ports encouraged a smuggling trade from the late eighteenth century on.