A Vacation Center

Magic City Becoming Famous As One of Vacation Centers reads a 1932 caption in the local newspaper. Sub headlines read: IS NEAR KATAHDIN and Good Fishing and Hunting Abound Near Town – Good Facilities. The article (found in a Chamber of Commerce secretary’s repot book) has the name Frank H. Speed handwritten on it. Speed was secretary of the Chamber at that time.

            The article highlights some of the area’s attractions and that the town “is fast becoming a recreation center” and is “situated approximately ninety miles north of the port of Bangor in the valley between Millinocket Stream and Millinocket Lake.”

            The article continues, “The Magic City possesses very hard surface streets, some of the finest cement roads in the State of Maine having been built in Millinocket.” The George W. Stearns High School building is called “one of the finest in New England” and the town also boasted three elementary schools.

            A very fine hotel “overlooking Katahdin which is one of the most picturesque mountains this side of the Rockies. The sun strikes Katahdin before any other point in the United States and it is further said that more land can be seen from the top than any other point in the world. There are hundreds of lakes, streams and ponds and rivers full of togue, salmon, and trout are being taken out of Millinocket Steam in the very limits of the town.”

             The article continues saying Millinocket is almost on the shore of Millinocket Lake (a gem in the wilderness) and that more salmon were taken that year from the lake than any other lake in the state! At that time Millinocket Lake, Ambajejus and Pemadumcook together boasted “in the neighborhood of a hundred cottages are owned by residents here and outside.” Some commute between the cottages and work.

            “There is an automobile road leading through our community to the very foot of Mount Katahdin so that the hike is made easily to the very top of the Mountain and return in a day if one desires.” (Side note: Last fall, a museum visitor, road map in hand, asked for directions to Katahdin and a car drive to the top! She was disappointed that she and friends could not do that!)

            The article concludes, “Millinocket had many advantages to offer any person wishing a real home. Its schools, roads and health given properties make a very desirable spot in our state.  The town “possesses fine swimming holes, bathing beaches, ice rinks and many other community benefits.” The roads are open year around so that at any time in mid winter one can eat breakfast in Millinocket and supper in the city of Boston, making the trip by automobile.