Heritage of the Kennebec River
Le patrimoine de la Rivière Kennebec
The Kennebec River is the largest river in Maine. Originating from Moosehead Lake, the river flows 190 miles through Somerset, Kennebec and Sagadahoc Counties to the Gulf of Maine at Popham Beach. The Kennebec was a primary travel route for Native Americans for over 40,000 years before the arrival of Samuel de Champlain who explored the area in 1604-1607, as well as George Popham who established a short-lived colony, Fort St. George, at its mouth. Benedict Arnold also chose the Kennebec River for his march into Canada in 1775.
From this point, the Kennebec River became a gateway for trade and settlement by Europeans. Lumber, pulp and ice were transported down the river to the coast to be traded for the finished goods needed by colonists. Shipbuilding flourished along the banks of the Kennebec. Over the years, the Kennebec has provided power for the mills along its banks, and the river continues to be an important source of hydroelectric power today and recreation, particularly white water rafting.
À partir de ce moment, le fleuve Kennebec devenu une entrée pour le commerce et la colonisation européenne. Le bois, la pâte et la glace étaient transportés sur le fleuve jusqu'aux rives pour être transformé en produits nécessaires aux colons. La construction navale grandit le long des rives de la Kennebec. Pendant plusieurs année, la Kennebec fournit la ouissiance énergétique hydroélectrique nécessaire aux moulins le long des rives, et ce fleuve continue, aujourd'hui, d'être une importante source d'énergie hydroélectrique, de loisirs principalement pour le « White Water Rafting ».
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Native Americans • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1775.
Location. 44° 35.248′ N, 69° 35.641′ W. Marker is in Fairfield, Maine, in Kennebec County. Marker is at the intersection of Bridge Street and Main Street, on the right when traveling east on Bridge Street. Marker is at a scenic river overlook just south of the Bridge Street bridge's west abutment. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fairfield ME 04937, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Early Electric Power Generation (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Heritage of the Kennebec River (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); VFW 6924 Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Two Cent Bridge (approx. 3 miles away); Waterville Maine Veteran's Park (approx. 3.2 miles away); Waterville Maine WWI Marker (approx. 3.2 miles away); Waterville Maine Civil War Memorial (approx. 3.2 miles away); Immigration (approx. 3.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fairfield.
More about this marker. The marker is heavily degraded and the text is only legible because it is identical to a nearby marker.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 15, 2018. It was originally submitted on October 15, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 172 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 15, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.