Whiting
Population: 407
Traveling north on U.S. 1, Whiting is your
entrance to the Cobscook Bay area. From here, you can
travel east to Lubec and Campobello Island, or north to
Eastport.
Originally
called Plantation #12, Whiting was incorporated in 1825. Timothy Whiting, an early and prominent
landowner and benefactor, offered the town a donation of 400 acres of land for the benefit
of free schools upon the condition that the town be called Whiting.
Orange River in
Whiting Copyright Alana Preston
Settlers of the
late 18th century penetrated the wilderness and their activity centered around seaside
villages and the mouth of the Orange River, the present site of Whiting village. Farm
occupations became a thing of the past in the early 1900's, but neglected fields and run-down
pastures began to produce blueberries and soon became the farmers' cash crop. The town of
Whiting makes a large contribution to Washington County's high production
of wild, low bush, blueberries.
Blueberry Field
in Whiting Copyright Alana Preston
Lumbering and
ship building are occupations that make up a large part of Whiting's history. In
addition to the lumber mills, the big business of Whiting for about 150 years years was a
grist mill with one or two carding machines located at the former stone dam in the
village.
The
town's primary
business, starting in 1915 and still in operation, is Look's
Gourmet Food Company, located on Holmes Bay. A variety
of service businesses are located in Whiting, including CUSTOM
DECKS, H&S
CONSTRUCTION AND TRUCKING and LANGUAGE
LITERACY LEARNING.
At the junction of
U.S. Route 1 and Route 189, known as Whiting Corner, you will find the Whiting
Village School,
a two-room schoolhouse serving grades K-8, the Whiting Church (both of which date from
about 1825), and the
cemetery.
Whiting
Corner Copyright Alana Preston
The WHITING-COBSCOOK
STORE also is located at Whiting Corner. This is the central stopping place for
residents of Lubec, Trescott, and Edmunds, as well as Whiting. Information, gossip,
hot coffee, gasoline, pizza, and just about every thing a traveler may need can be found
here.
Also located at Whiting
Corner is Whiting Bay Family Health Center. Dr.
Julia Arnold is a Board certified Family Physician and an active member of the
American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).
Just north of the
health center is WHITING
BAY BED AND BREAKFAST, owned and operated by Richard and Sandra Bradley.
Enjoy New York comfort at Maine prices!
About
a mile and a half east of Whiting corner on Rte 189, you can find Fred
and Patty Hartman's DOWNEAST
DRAWINGS AND WILDLIFE ART GALLERY.
Artists specializing in wildlife and Maine scenes, their work
is shown in fine shops and businesses from Bar Harbor to
Calais.
West of Whiting
Corner, you can find out more about you by visiting the CONSULTATION SERVICES.
A short distance further west is THE
PUFFIN PINES COUNTRY GIFT STORE. The store is a long-time tradition in the area, having been built in the
early 1960s. It is now under its fourth owners and third name. Famous for moccasins, The
Puffin Pines also carries a wide range of Maine-theme gifts. Its particular specialties
include "puffin stuff" and "moose merchandise", although Maine coastal
themes such as lighthouses and lobsters also are well-represented. The store has an
Information Booth with free brochures on area attractions. The Puffin Pines web site
also has links and attractions pages with
information about the area.
Further
west (also south) along U.S. 1, about 1 1/2 miles from the
town center, lies the QUODDY
REGIONAL LAND TRUST,
a non-profit organization established in 1987. The Land
Trust encourages donations by landowners of conservation
easements, which keep land in private ownership while creating
a legal framework for the long-term stewardship of protected
properties. QRLT coordinates the Cobscook Trails project
to expand opportunities for nature-based recreation and
tourism in eastern Washington County, and distributes Cobscook
Trails: A Guide to Walking Opportunities Around Cobscook Bay
and the Bold Coast.
Further
west, on Orange Lake, enjoy year-round comfort at RIVENDEL
RENTALS. Or take a spin up Halls Mills Road beside Indian Lake,
& enjoy rustic
comfort at the RABBIT
LANE CABINS.
Whiting is an excellent
central point from which to branch out and experience all the
surrounding area has to offer. Hope to see you soon!
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