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Yesterday |
A
Tradition of Farming the Sea
The town of Tremont, as perhaps in no other place on
Mount Desert Island, has managed to maintain its traditional
relationship with the sea. Fishing is in decline and a new
economy is emerging, fueled by the onslaught of development and
rising real estate prices. Despite these changes, the character
of the community remains—a vibrant portrait of a way of life
that demanded an independent spirit and resourceful habits.
<complete story>
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Bass Harbor Light
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Neighbor |
Real
Estate Reality: Town No Longer So Affordable
Once a community that Mount Desert Island natives could affordably
call home, Tremont now finds itself grappling with the
bittersweet reality of being “one of the most beautiful places
in Maine.” That characterization comes from Michael Chammings,
who has served as the town manager of Tremont (which includes
the villages of Bass Harbor, West Tremont, Bernard and Seal Cove
as well as Gott’s Island) for three years.
<complete story>
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Today |
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Last
Working
Harbor
As its name suggests, Bass Harbor is one of those villages
that is all about the meeting of sea and shore. Among other
things, it’s one of the last predominantly working harbors on
Mount Desert Island’s increasingly rarefied waterfront.
<complete story>
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| Written and
photographed by Aaron Porter, Mary O'Brien and Mark Honey |
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Go
Figure |
Acreage:
10,329
Population, 2000: 1,529
Population, 1990: 1,324
Population, 19 years and younger, 2000: 367
Median age: 41.6
School: Tremont Consolidated School
Library: Bass Harbor Memorial Library
Churches: Episcopal 1, United Methodist 1, Baptist
1, Congregational 2.
Town meeting: Second Tuesday in May
<more town facts>
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They
Said It |
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“I lov e
Tremont. This town is still authentically Maine.”
—Phil Worden,
member, Land Use Ordinance Committee,
Appeals Board
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Milestones |
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The early years
1842:
Brig Etrurian, 246 tons, is built at Seal Cove.
1848: Tremont separates
from Mount Desert.
1850: Population 1,425.
1851: Schooner Henry Clay
of Tremont is lost in the Yankee Gale.
1858: Bass Harbor Light
begins service.
1900: Population 2,010.
1905: Southwest Harbor and
Manset form a new community.
1907: Post offices at Seal
Cove, West Tremont, Center, McKinley, Gott’s Island and Bernard.
1911: Ocean View Grange No.
508 is chartered.
1920: A branch of Union Trust
Co. locates in town.
2002: Western Mountain now
known as Bernard and Mansell.
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