The Kennebunks of Maine – History Along the Southern Coast – Legends of America
Nestled along the picturesque southern coast of Maine, the Kennebunks – comprising Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, and Arundel – stand as a testament to a rich tapestry of history, tradition, and natural beauty. This charming region has long captivated the hearts of tourists and summer residents alike, drawing them in with its scenic landscapes, captivating stories, and a unique blend of maritime heritage and New England charm.
Aboriginal Roots: The Land Before Settlers
Before the arrival of European explorers and settlers, the land now known as the Kennebunks was home to various Native American tribes, each with its distinct culture and way of life. The Abenaki people, whose name for the area, "Kennebunk," meant "the long cut bank," in reference to the steep drop-off at Great Hill near the Mousam River mouth, were among the most prominent. Other tribes, including the Penobscot, Passamaquoddy, Mi’kmaq, Kennebec, Pequawket, and Maliseet, also inhabited the region, following a seasonal migration pattern that saw them reside near the coast during the warmer months and retreat inland as winter approached.
Early Encounters: Explorers and Fishing Fleets
The first European to set foot in the Kennebunks was Bartholomew Gosnold, who sailed from Falmouth, England, and reached Kennebunkport in the spring of 1602. Just two years later, French explorer Samuel de Champlain visited the islands that define Cape Porpoise harbor, christening it "Le Port aux Isles," meaning Island Harbor.
In 1614, Captain John Smith, the renowned English adventurer of Jamestown fame, explored the Maine coast, bestowing the name Cape Porpoise after spotting a school of porpoises frolicking in the waters. His subsequent publication, "Descriptions of New England" in 1616, drew numerous fishing parties to the region, marking the beginning of its maritime legacy.
Settlement and Growth: From Trading Post to Incorporated Town
Kennebunk’s origins can be traced back to 1621, when it was established as a trading center, initially under the jurisdiction of the town of Wells. In 1622, England formally claimed the area, and settlers began to populate the coastline and the banks of the Kennebunk and Mousam Rivers. The first settlement took root in the Cape Porpoise area, where fishing vessels plied the waters, while others harvested timber, built sawmills along the rivers, and cultivated the land.
By the 1640s, land grants, known as "the Kennebunk Grants," were being parceled out along the coast and inland. In the 1650s, the Massachusetts Bay Colony asserted its territorial claims over southern Maine, promptly ordering the townspeople to construct roads and schools, organize a militia, and pay taxes.
In July 1653, Kennebunkport was officially incorporated as Cape Porpoise under the government of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, solidifying its status as a recognized settlement.
Conflicts and Resilience: Enduring the Indian Wars
After years of peaceful coexistence with the Native Americans, tensions escalated in 1675 with the outbreak of King Philip’s War, leading to a series of conflicts that would span several decades. The Wabanaki Confederacy launched raids on English settlements along the New England/Acadia border in Maine in an attempt to halt the tide of English expansion.
In 1690, a massive attack was launched on Fort Loyal in nearby Portland by Abenaki Indians and their French allies, resulting in the death or capture of everyone within. The attacks continued, with the French and Indians targeting colonists, burning farms, and taking captives. The residents of Cape Porpoise sought refuge in a harbor fort on Stage Island, where they were eventually rescued by vessels from Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Meanwhile, the inhabitants of Kennebunk fled to the Storer Garrison in Wells, only to witness the destruction of their homes, mills, and livestock by 500 Indians and their French allies.
Following these devastating events, many settlers abandoned the area, and Cape Porpoise was left deserted. In 1718, descendants and new settlers petitioned the Massachusetts legislature to re-establish a fishing community, and in 1719, the town of Arundel (at Kennebunkport) was incorporated. In 1821, the town was renamed Kennebunkport.
Despite the re-establishment of settlements, sporadic Indian attacks continued. The last raid on the Kennebunks occurred in 1726, when the Baxter and Durrell families were attacked. The Indians looted the homes, burned them to the ground, and took Mrs. Durrell and her four children captive, later killing them when they slowed their escape.
Rebuilding and Industry: From Mills to Shipbuilding
Despite the setbacks caused by the Indian Wars, settlement gradually resumed, and the mills along the waterways were rebuilt. In 1724, Captain Thomas Perkins, Jr., constructed his house in Kennebunk and built a gristmill along the river in 1751. The mill operated for nearly 200 years until 1939 and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1873. Tragically, the historic mill was destroyed by an arsonist in 1994.
The abundance of local timber fueled the rise of the shipbuilding industry, with shipyards first established on the Mousam River as early as 1730. However, the difficulty of navigating the Mousam River’s mouth led to the relocation of the trade to the Kennebunk River by 1755, with vessels being built at Kennebunk Landing. From 1790 to 1867, hundreds of ships were constructed at the half-dozen major shipbuilding yards. Shipbuilding continued in Kennebunk until 1918, leaving behind a legacy of landmarks that stand as a testament to the maritime industry’s prosperity.
Revolution and Independence: A Stand for Freedom
During the American Revolution, the people of the Kennebunks demonstrated their support for the colonies by sending delegates and ammunition to Boston. The Battle of Cape Porpoise, fought on August 8, 1782, saw a small force of inhabitants gathered on Goat Island drive away a British ship with 18 guns, inflicting heavy casualties.
When Maine declared its independence from Massachusetts in 1820, the Kennebunk District of Wells finally became the town of Kennebunk, and Arundel became Kennebunkport, marking a new chapter in their history.
Industrial Growth and Innovation: Cotton Mills and Lighthouses
In 1825, the Kennebunk Manufacturing Company erected two dams on the Mousam River to power a cotton mill. Although this venture was unsuccessful, the Mousam Manufacturing Company succeeded in building a cotton factory in 1832. Soon, other factories were established, producing a variety of goods, including thread and twine, shoes, doors, and trunks.
In 1835, the Goat Island Lighthouse was built off Cape Porpoise near Kennebunkport to guide mariners into the sheltered harbor. The original station was rebuilt in 1859, and the keeper’s quarters were added in 1860. The light station remains active today and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.
The Rise of Tourism: A Seasonal Escape
Following the Civil War, the Kennebunks began to experience a surge in tourism as people sought a seasonal escape from the cities. The development of the Boston and Maine Railroad system, with a branch line into Kennebunk Village in 1872, facilitated the influx of vacationers. Before long, there were over 40 hotels and inns in Kennebunk and Kennebunkport, catering to the growing number of visitors. Many also began building cottages along the coastline for weekend and seasonal use.
The Nonantum Resort, located on the Kennebunk River, opened in 1884 and stands as one of only two Kennebunks Grand Hotels that survive today, a testament to the area’s enduring appeal as a premier vacation destination.
Elite Enclaves: Cape Arundel Summer Colony
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, affluent visitors and residents began to build grand estates in Kennebunkport, particularly in the Cape Arundel area. Just east of the Kennebunk River’s mouth, a resort area known as the Cape Arundel Summer Colony emerged, encompassing large summer estates. Many of these properties line Ocean Avenue, extending along the Kennebunk River’s southernmost stretch and around the cape east of Walkers Point. Today, Cape Arundel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, added in 1984, recognizing its significance as a haven for the wealthy and influential.
Historic Landmarks: Churches, Golf Clubs, and River Clubs
The stone chapel of St. Ann’s Episcopal Church, consecrated in 1892, has served a congregation ever since. The grounds also include an outdoor Seaside Chapel, set up on a site once used for a fort to protect the harbor. The church rectory, built in 1891 as a private home, was later owned by Arthur Atwater Kent, the inventor of the automobile ignition system and the first affordable radio.
The Cape Arundel Golf Club, established in 1896, is one of the oldest golf clubs in the state and has long been a social hub for the Kennebunkport area’s summer elite.
In 1889, the Kennebunk River Club was founded as a private, seasonal club. In 1890, they built the Clubhouse, now known as the Boathouse. Over the years, the Club evolved to include numerous members who enjoy boating, tennis, and social activities.
Presidential Ties: Walker’s Point and the Bush Family
In 1902, David Davis Walker, great-grandfather to President George H. W. Bush, and his son, George H. Walker, built mansions at Walker’s Point in Kennebunkport. The current home has been in the Bush family for over a century, and President George H. W. Bush spent much of his childhood at the Kennebunkport estate. The house is sometimes referred to as the "Summer White House," as Bush, his wife Barbara, and their children spent most summers there.
Transportation and Change: Trolleys and Automobiles
In 1900, the Atlantic Shore Line electric trolley line provided passenger and freight service to many York County towns, carrying nearly five million passengers in 1907. The trolley operated until 1927. Today, its history and trolley cars from various areas are remembered at the Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport.
The arrival of the automobile led to the disappearance of many large wooden hotels that once lined Kennebunk’s beaches.
Arundel’s Emergence: From Kennebunkport to Independent Town
On April 1, 1915, a new town was created from Kennebunkport, initially known as North Kennebunkport. In 1957, the name was changed to Arundel.
Modern Era: Tourism and Recreation
Following World War II, the Maine Turnpike opened in 1947, and the population began to spread out from the village centers, and manufacturing declined.
Today, the shipbuilders are gone, but the era left behind several magnificent Colonial and Federal homes that dot the Kennebunks. Manufacturing is also gone, but one surviving factory building has become the Lafayette Center in downtown Kennebunk, which now houses a bank, offices, and retail stores.
Kennebunks’ agrarian history is remembered at the Lower Alewive Historic District in northwestern Kennebunk. Here are four historic farm properties initially laid out in the 1750s along Emmons Road. Another tribute to the area’s farming history can be found at the Clock Farmstead at the corner of Maine State Route 9 and Goose Rocks Road in Kennebunkport.
The Kennebunk Historic District encompasses many historic houses from the late 18th and early 19th centuries, when Kennebunk was at its height as a shipbuilding and maritime shipping center.
The Kennebunkport Historic District encompasses most of the village center, in and around Dock Square.
Visitors to the Kennebunks today enjoy more than 400 hundred years of history and find numerous recreation activities along its many biking and hiking trails; boating, fishing, and water sports along the beaches and rivers; horseback riding, golf, and numerous parks to rest and play.
The Kennebunks are located on the southern coast of Maine, just 90 miles north of Boston and 25 miles south of Portland.