Anchored by the historic shipbuilding communities of Bath to the west and Waldoboro to the east, the counties of the southern midcoast - Sagadahoc and Lincoln - form one of the state's tiniest, yet most picturesque, regions. All of the midcoast's population centers are located on or very near Route 1, which runs roughly parallel to the coast and provides the region's economic and cultural backbone.  As you travel north on Route 1 across the Sagadahoc bridge in Bath, you'll look down the Kennebec River to the Georgetown peninsula, across the river from Bath Iron Works.
At the end of the bridge, in Woolwich, you'll cross a series of bridges that lead to the islands of Arrowsic and Georgetown, framed by the Kennebec River on one side and the Sasanoa and Back Rivers on the other. The beautiful harbor at Georgetown is known as Five Islands, and is one of the most scenic spots in Maine. When you cross the second bridge on Route 127 (about five miles from Woolwich), you'll be on the island of Georgetown, Maine. The island has over 82 miles of shoreline, with sandy beaches, sheltered coves, harbors, rocky headlands, and marshes. Abundant wildlife, including osprey, harbor seals, bald eagles, deer, and moose, share Georgetown Island with its 1,000 human inhabitants.  Bath, home of Bath Iron Works - a century-old shipbuilding yard specializing in defense contracts and one of the state's largest private employers, is perched on the bank of the Kennebec and is proud of its well-preserved historic downtown area. Bath provides services to the island hamlets of Arrowsic, Robinhood, Georgetown, and Popham.
Some of the finest Federal architecture in Maine can be found by driving Bath's neighborhood streets, once the home of wealthy ship captains and shipping magnates. The city celebrates its long and proud tradition of boatbuilding at the highly regarded Maine Maritime Museum. Popham Beach is one of the finest and longest sandy beaches in Maine. Located at the tip of the Phippsburg peninsula near Bath, Popham Beach State Park is a popular spot for both locals and visitors. |
