Only a few hours from Boston, the Belgrade Lakes Region encompasses a large area of Central Maine that can actually be divided into three distinct destinations: Northern Belgrade Lakes, China Lakes and Winthrop Lakes. Today, I'd like to share with you more about the Winthrop Lakes Region located in the southwestern corner of Kennebec County.
The Winthrop Lakes Region is an area comprised of hamlets, villages and small towns, including Winthrop, Fayette, Wayne, Monmouth, Mount Vernon, Readfield and Manchester. Each has its own personality but all come together to form a single destination community.
Winthrop is "a small town with big character," located on the shores of Maranacook Lake to the north and Lake Annabessacook to the south. These lakes and others in the area are famed for their quality bass fishing. Winthrop is also home to summer concerts at Norcross Point, a Sidewalk Art Show and the Winthrop Performing Arts Center. The Kennebec Land Trust is dedicated to conserving properties in the area, thus providing habitat for an abundance of wildlife and places for folks to explore. This close-knit community of residents and businesses appreciate the natural beauty of the area. Winthrop prides itself on being a green community and in the past year has reduced the energy use of the town and schools. More "green" projects are in the works. Lovely country roads lead to delightful restaurants, farm stands, antique shops and outdoor activities.
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Breathtaking scenery, magnificent lakes, bountiful activities and great places to relax and rejuvenate are what awaits you in the Winthrop Lakes Region. Own lakefront property here and you can join in the varied activities of hiking, cross-country skiing, or snowmobiling on rolling mountains that change colors with the seasons. Swim, skate or boat on the myriad of lakes in the region. Enjoy local church suppers, arts and crafts shows, and community celebrations. Explore the Winthrop Lakes Region. I think you'll fall in love with it.
Manchester is situated at the northern end of the island-studded gem, Cobbosseeconte Lake. It's home of the Ladies Delight lighthouse, one of three lighthouses on the lake. Ladies Delight is a small island formed from a large, jagged reef about one mile south of Island Park. The lighthouse was built in 1908 to prevent passenger launches from going aground on the reef. The Cobbosseeconte Yacht Club, one of the oldest inland yacht clubs, is located in Manchester. Throughout the year Longfellow Greenhouses offers a variety of exhibits and festivals including the Cabin Fever Art Exhibit, Designing Women Art Show, Fall Art Show, and Poinsettia Festival.
Readfield consists of four villages, East Readfield, Readfield Depot, Readfield Corner and Kents Hill. Kents Hill School, a preparatory high school, began in 1825 as Maine Wesleyan Seminary. Lakes and ponds in Readfield include Maranacook Lake, Torsey, Lovejoy, Crotched and Carlton Ponds. Recreation and conservation areas are numerous throughout the town. These are places where one can sit in peace and quiet or take a walk and possibly see wildlife in its natural element. Each summer residents and visitors enjoy Readfield Heritage Days held at the Readfield Fairgrounds. Readfield is a year-round paradise for outdoor enthusiasts.
Mount Vernon is at the northernmost reaches of the Winthrop Lakes Region. The quaint and quiet village includes a fire station, community center, post office, country store and several specialty shops. Scenic hills above pristine lakes and open farm fields as well as wooded areas offer abundant venues for getting away from it all. Mount Vernon is graced with the shimmering waters of Torsey Pond, Parker Pond, Long Pond, Echo Lake and Flying Pond, plus several smaller ponds. Elizabeth Arden's "Maine Chance," a health spa on Long Pond, long ago put Mount Vernon on the map.
Fayette is located on Echo Lake and Lovejoy Pond. It is truly a place where you can take time to slow down and smell the flowers. The town is surrounded by the tranquil beauty of farms and woodlands. The picturesque Longfellow Mountains, stone-wall lined roads and views of sunsets over the Presidential Range (60 miles away) lure people to this peaceful hamlet. Within Fayette, you'll also find Parker, David and Tilton Ponds along with at least eight smaller ponds. This is the perfect place to swim, fish, boat and relax on the beautiful clear lakes and streams.
Wayne is a quintessential New England village with two churches, a library, general store and specialty shops on Main Street. It is one of the prettiest villages in Maine. Set on the northwest shoreline of Androscoggin Lake and south of Pocasset Lake, some describe it as an "Interlachen" village. It is said of Pocasset that "he who comes once to the lake, invariably comes again." The Androscoggin Yacht Club has been in existence for 90 years and is one of the oldest in the United States. Folks don't need to own a boat to join the yacht club, which offers a beach and many social programs. The Dead River flows through Wayne and provides opportunities for kayaking and canoeing.
Monmouth is located on the northern end of Cochnewagon Lake, amid lush agricultural land. The rolling hills of Monmouth are noted for the production of high quality apples. East Monmouth sets on Cobbosseeconte Lake, truly a boaters paradise. Cumston Hall in Monmouth is one of the crown jewels of Maine. It towers dramatically over Main Street and is listed on the National Register of Historic Buildings. The architectural gem is home to the Theater at Monmouth, Maine's Shakespearean theater, plus the library and town office. The Monmouth Museum on Main Street depicts 19th century rural Maine. A Rise and Shine Bed and Breakfast, which overlooks Cochnewagon Lake, was originally called "Clearview Farms" and was a gentleman's racehorse farm in the 1950s for descendants of Franklin Winfield Woolworth, founder of the five and dime store, F.W. Woolworth Company. Monmouth is also home to the Monmouth Fair, "A little fair with a lotta pull." This small family oriented agriculture fair is held each fall.
