Kennebec County, Maine is a county located in the state of Maine. The county covers an area of 1,405 square miles and is home to a population of 122,000 people. The county seat is Augusta and other major towns include Waterville, Gardiner, Hallowell and Winthrop.
The geography of Kennebec County is dominated by hills and valleys that offer some spectacular views. The highest point in the county is known as Mt. Pisgah which rises to an elevation of 1,547 feet above sea level. This mountain offers excellent hiking trails with breathtaking views along the way. Other notable mountains in the area include Mt. Tom and Mt. Blue which are both located within Kennebec County’s borders.
The majority of the terrain in Kennebec County consists of forestland with mixed deciduous and coniferous trees covering much of the landscape. In addition to forests there are also numerous lakes and ponds scattered throughout the county including Lake Cobbosseecontee, China Lake and Great Pond which offer great fishing opportunities for anglers looking for a peaceful day on the water.
Kennebec County also offers plenty of outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, biking and skiing at Sugarloaf Mountain Resort which is one of Maine’s most popular ski resorts. The Kennebec River runs through much of the county providing opportunities for white water rafting as well as canoeing or kayaking trips for those looking to explore more remote areas along its banks.
Overall, Kennebec County offers a diverse landscape ranging from mountains to forests to rivers that provide plenty of activities for nature lovers looking to explore its many wonders year-round. Whether it’s fishing on one of its many lakes or taking a hike up Mt Pisgah there’s something for everyone in this beautiful part of Maine.
Country seat and other main cities of Kennebec County, Maine
The county seat of Kennebec County, Maine is Augusta. Located on the banks of the Kennebec River, Augusta is the state capital and home to a population of 19,000 people. The city offers a vibrant downtown area with plenty of shops and restaurants for visitors to explore. It also provides access to many outdoor activities such as fishing, kayaking and camping in the surrounding areas.
According to COUNTRYAAH.COM, another major city in Kennebec County is Waterville. Located on the banks of the Sebasticook River, Waterville is home to a population of 16,000 people and features a variety of attractions including Colby College, the Waterville Opera House and the Maine State Museum. The city also offers plenty of outdoor activities such as hiking trails along Messalonskee Stream or biking along Rails-to-Trails paths that run throughout town.
Gardiner is another major city located in Kennebec County. Home to a population of 5,500 people this charming town is located on both sides of the Kennebec River and features many historic sites such as Fort Western which was built in 1754 during King George’s War and provides visitors with an opportunity to explore its colonial-era history.
Hallowell is another small town located within Kennebec County’s borders. This picturesque town sits at the headwaters of Cobbosseecontee Stream and features an array of attractions including art galleries, antique shops and restaurants for visitors to explore while here. It also offers access to many outdoor activities such as hiking trails along Cobbosseecontee Stream or fishing trips on one its nearby lakes or ponds.
Finally, Winthrop is another small town located in Kennebec County offering visitors plenty of things to do while here including exploring its historic downtown area full of unique shops and restaurants or taking advantage its proximity to Lake Cobbosseecontee for fishing trips or canoeing excursions along its banks.
Overall, each city within Kennebec County provides visitors with something different whether it’s exploring Augusta’s vibrant downtown area or enjoying all that Hallowell has to offer there are plenty opportunities for travelers looking for something unique while visiting this beautiful part Maine.
History of Kennebec County, Maine
Kennebec County, Maine is a county located in the state of Maine. The county was established in 1799 and is one of the original counties established in Maine. It is named after the Kennebec River, which flows through its center. The county seat is Augusta, which is also the state capital.
The area that now makes up Kennebec County has a long and storied history dating back to pre-colonial times when Native Americans inhabited the region. The first Europeans to settle in what would become Kennebec County were French explorers who arrived in 1604 and founded Fort St. George near present day Augusta. In 1607, English explorer John Smith explored the area and named it “New Somersetshire” after his native county of Somerset in England.
During the French and Indian War (1754-1763), Fort Western was built by British troops at what is now Augusta as part of a line of forts defending against French forces from Canada. After the American Revolution, settlers began arriving in large numbers from New England states such as Massachusetts and Vermont looking for land to call their own. This influx of settlers led to rapid growth throughout Kennebec County and by 1820 it had become one of the most populous counties in Maine with over 20,000 residents.
Throughout its history, Kennebec County has been an important transportation hub for people traveling between northern New England states such as Vermont and New Hampshire with southern Maine cities like Portland or Bangor due to its proximity to several major rivers including the Kennebec, Sebasticook, Sandy River, Cobbosseecontee Streams among others. This has made it an important center for trade throughout its history as goods could be transported easily up and down these waterways connecting many different communities together throughout Maine’s interior regions.
Today, Kennebec County remains an important part of life throughout central Maine providing residents with access to many outdoor activities such as fishing, kayaking or camping while also offering visitors plenty of attractions like Colby College or historic sites like Fort Western that give them an opportunity to explore this region’s unique past while here.
Economy of Kennebec County, Maine
The economy of Kennebec County, Maine is diverse and vibrant. It is a major hub for economic activity in the state, with a wide variety of industries providing employment opportunities to its residents. The largest industry in the county is manufacturing, which contributed $2.3 billion to the local economy in 2018. This includes companies that make paper products, furniture, electronics, plastics and many other items. Additionally, Kennebec County is home to several major healthcare providers such as MaineGeneral Health and Central Maine Medical Center which are both major employers in the region.
Agriculture also plays an important role in Kennebec County’s economy with a variety of different crops being grown. This includes potatoes, corn, apples, hay and other vegetables as well as dairy products like milk and cheese. There are also several large farms in the county that raise beef cattle for beef production purposes as well. Additionally, there are several wineries located throughout the county which produce wines from locally grown grapes and other fruits such as blueberries or cranberries.
The tourism industry is also an important part of Kennebec County’s economy with many people visiting each year to take advantage of all that this region has to offer such as great hiking trails along the Appalachian Trail or taking part in water activities on one of its many rivers or lakes such as Cobbosseecontee Lake or Sebasticook Lake. Additionally, there are a variety of historic sites located throughout the county including Fort Western which was built by British troops during the French and Indian War (1754-1763).
Finally, retail trade is another key component of Kennebec County’s economy with numerous small businesses located throughout its towns providing goods and services to locals and visitors alike including restaurants offering delicious local cuisine or unique boutiques selling handmade items from local artisans. All these industries combined make up a diverse range of economic activity that helps drive growth throughout this region while providing employment opportunities for its residents.
