USA > Maine > A gazetteer of the United States, comprising a series of gazetteers of the several states and territories. Maine > Part 2
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Agamenticus Mts. are a group of hills situated in the town of York, York county, and are distinguished by their numerals, 1, 2, and 3; the highest being No. 1, which is 672 feet above the sea. " From its summit we have a beautiful panoramic view of the sea and of the surrounding country." These mountains are composed entirely of sienite rocks.
Allagash Mts. are a group of mountains, the west part of which is distin- guished by this name, and the east part is called Fish River mountains, from the circumstance of their bordering upon that river. The Allagash part is 2200 feet high, and the Fish river 1989 feet. They divide the waters of the Allagash and Fish rivers, and are wholly within the county of Piscataquis.
Aroostook Mts. There are two ranges of mountains bearing this name, distin- guished as the North Aroostook and the South Aroostook. The North Aroostook covers a space of 15 or 20 miles at its base, and has several prominent eminences, some of which rise to the height of 3000 feet, and "are of singularly beautiful pro- portions."
The SOUTH AROOSTOOK lies 8 or 10 miles west of the North Aroostook, and in the space of 50 miles is broken into no less than six lofty summits, varying from 1800 to 3000 feet in height. These ranges lie at the head of the Aroostook river on the north, and divide its waters from those of the Allagash. They are within the bor- ders of Piscataquis county.
Baker's Mt. lies about 6 miles N. W. from the Ebeeme mountains, on the south- east of Mooschead lake, in Piscataquis county, and is an isolated mass about 3000 feet high.
Bald Mt. is so called from its bald and desolate appearance. It is a huge mass of granite, destitute both of trees and shrubs. It is situated in Stoneham, Oxford county.
There is another mountain of this name, situated between Dead and Moose rivers, and consists of a ridge of mountains about 24 miles in length. Its highest point is estimated to be about 4000 feet above the sea. It bears from Norton's ledge in Farmington, N. 95° 30' W.
Bigelow, Mt., is a high elevation of land, shooting into several peaks. It is situated on Dead river, in townships 3 and 4, in the third range of Bingham's Pur- chase, on the line between Franklin and Somerset counties. The highest peak is
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3400 fcet above the level of the sea. Its central peak bears N. 12º E. from the Eastern peak of mount Abraham. It is 12 miles W. from the Kennebec river.
Blue Mt. is situated in the towns of Temple, Weld, and Avon, Franklin county. This mountain is " a barren mass of gneiss and mica slate, containing a few crys- tals of staurotide," and is elevated "2421 feet above Bates' tavern in Avon, and 2804 feet above the level of the sea." It bears N. 66° W. of Norton's ledge in Far- mington, and from mount Abraham, S. 22º 30' W.
Bluehill Mt. is a commanding eminence, which forms a magnificent back ground to the beautiful scenery as we enter the harbor. It is in the town of Bluehill, Hancock county, and is 914 feet above high-water mark. Geologically, "it is composed of the most contorted variety of gneiss, presenting a perfectly curled mass of strata."
Borestone Mt. is a remarkable mountain in Elliotsville, Piscataquis county. It bears a very "striking resemblance to the form of mount Vesuvius in Naples."
Burnt Jacket Mt. is a rocky point that rises a few miles from the foot of Moose- head lake, on the east, more than 100 feet perpendicular above the surface of the lake. "It is composed of gneiss, curiously crossed in every direction by veins of quartz." Its whole height is over 1000 feet above the level of the sea.
Butman's Hill is one of the group of mountains called Dixmont mountains, and is in the town of Dixmont, Penobscot county. It is 1906 feet above the level of the sca.
Camel's Rump is the name given to a mountain situated in No. 4, 6th range of townships, in the north-west corner of Oxford county. Its name is derived from its form.
Chase Mt. lies N. 75° E. from Sugar-Loaf mount, between Seboois river, one of the east branches of the Penobscot, and the main branch of the Mattawamkeag river, distant from that mountain about 30 miles. It is in Penobscot county, and about 2800 feet high above the sea-level. It is also called Marchissis Mount.
Mount Desert Mts. These mountains have eleven peaks, varying from 1000 to 1800 feet in height. They are situated on the island of Mount Desert, which lies about five miles east of Penobscot bay, in Hancock county.
Ebeeme Mts. This is a group of mountains about 25 miles south of mount Katahdin, and " lies between Pleasant river, a branch of the Piscataquis, to which it gives rise, and the Penobscot river. The principal summit has been estimated to be 4000 feet above the sea."
Haystack Mt. is situated in the township of Holmes, Oxford county, and is a high elevation of land. Its height has not been measured.
Joe Merry Mt. is a considerable elevation of land, S. W. of Ambejijis lake, in Piscataquis county. "This mountain is not indicated upon the state map, nor upon that of the public lands. It is composed of granite, and is a commanding point of view for examining the surrounding country, so that it is frequented by explorers for timber." In form, it bears a strong resemblance to mount Waldo.
Katahdin or Ktaadn Mt. is the highest point of land in the state, and the " most abrupt granite mountain in New England." It is 5300 feet above the level of the sea. It is situated near the centre of the state, between the east and west branches of the Penobscot river, about 70 miles on a straight line from Bangor. On the west side it is wholly inaccessible, presenting a precipier of 2 feet descent. On the summit there is a plain of rock four or five miles in extent, from north to south. The Indians have a tradition that this mountain is the residence of their evil deity, Po- mola. They fear to ascend this mountain lest it should give offence to the presiding spirit, who manifests his indignation in storms and tempests. Dr. Jackson encoun-
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tered a tremendous snow storm when upon this mountain, which his Indian guide assured him was in consequence of the wrath of Pomola, which had been roused by his attempt to measure the height of his residence. If storms are expressions of his displeasure, those who visit his residence will have good reason not to regard him as a very placable deity.
Kineo, Mt., is composed of hornstone, and is the largest mass of this stone in the world. " It is the termination of a peninsula, which extends for some distance into Moosehead lake, on the east side, opposite the mouth of Moose river. From the lake it has the appearance of a huge artificial wall of stone, rising directly out of the water. Its cliffs jut out over the lake, at the height of 5 or 600 feet above the water, while below they descend perpendicularly 90 feet. This mountain rises 700 feet above the level of the lake, and 1610 feet above the level of the sea. The northern and western sides are covered with trees, and slope so that one can reach the top by a path along the edge of the precipice. From its summit is enjoyed a beautiful prospect of the lake with its islands, and of the adjoining country, forming a most picturesque landscape."
Mars Hill is on the eastern frontier of the state, and is a prominent object as we look north from the Monument at the head of the St. Croix river. It is an emi- nence somewhat noted on account of its connection with the north-eastern boundary question. While this controversy was pending, the British government contended that this hill was the highlands intended in the treaty of 1783, designated as the north-west angle of Nova Scotia. From this point they would run the line west- ward, following the range of isolated mountains which separate the Penobscot and its branches from those of the St. John. This hill has two peaks, one of which is 1683 feet, and the other, 1460 feet above the level of the sea. It is an isolated eminence, having no connection with any other mountains or highlands.
Megunticook Mt. is a commanding eminence in the town of Camden, Waldo county, lying north of the village. It is 1457 feet above the level of the sea. " It consists entirely of a gray variety of mica slate, forming a consolidated strata, which incline to the horizon at an angle of 70°." From the summit of this mountain is one of the finest views in the state, if not in the world. You look down upon the Penobscot bay, which presents one of the richest and most beautiful landscapes to be found, besprinkled as it is with green islands, and highlands rising beyond.
Mosquito Mt. is in the immediate neighborhood of mount Waldo. It rises from the very water's edge on the west bank of the Penobscot river, from which it is elevated to the height of 527 feet. It is a mass of excellent and beautiful granite, and may be taken from the quarry and placed directly upon the deck of u vessel, without any expense of transportation above a few feet or rods.
Moxy Mts. are a group of high hills, a few miles east of the junction of the Dead river with the Kennebec. They are situated in Somerset county, south of Squaw mount.
Northport Mt. is in the town of Northport, Waldo county, and is 486 feet above the sea-level. It " is composed of gneiss, and on its sides the granite appears pro- tending through the strata of that rock. From the summit of this mountain we have a charming view of the Penobscot bay, studded with beautiful islands, and skirted on the north and east by picturesque highlands."
Outop Mt. is in the immediate neighborhood of mount Katahdin, on the N. W., distant about 8 miles. It is one of eight peaks belonging to the Katahdin group. The Indians call it Ktaadnquoh, " which means belonging to, or of the family of Ktaadn." Ontop mount " appears in form exactly like a volcanic cone, but is pro- bably composed of granite." It is supposed to be about 4000 feet high. It is also called Chinskchcegan Mount.
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Peaked Mt. is on the Seboois river, in Penobscot county, and " is a singular sad- dlo-shaped hill on the left hand side of the stream. This mountain is composed of conglomerate or grau-wacke, and is cut through its centre by a huge mass of green- stone trap, which has produced some very curious changes in the strata. Its south- ern peak is composed of amygdaloidal trap, and slate melted into hornstone, forming a curious breccia. From the highest point of this mountain, we have a magnificent view of the surrounding country," and there may be counted "no less than 27 high mountains. The Seboois river winds in a serpentine manner from the N. and round the mountain's base." It is a craggy and steep mountain, and rises 800 feet above the level of the river at its base.
There is another mountain of this name in Dixmont, Penobscot county, which forms one of the group of the Dixmont mountains. It rises to the height of 1612 feet above the level of the sea.
Pleasant Mt. is a remarkable eminence in Denmark, Oxford county, about three miles north-west from the village. It presents three distinct peaks, and is covered with trees and shrubs to its summit. Its height has never been measured.
Rattle Snake Mt. is in Stoneham, Oxford county, and is so called from the im- mense numbers of these venomous reptiles which inhabit it. Hundreds of them are taken in this mountain annually, and destroyed for the purpose of obtaining their oil, which is used in medicine.
Russell Mt. divides the head branches of the Piscataquis river, and is situated near the west border of Piscataquis county. Its height has never been measured.
There is a group of mountains also, which bear this name, in Somerset county, ly- ing north of Moosehead lake, and about 20 miles east of the boundary heights. Their summinits have received different names, as, North Russell, South Russell, Tonquew- ac, and Cancumigomock. They separate some of the north-west branches of the Penobscot river from those of the Walloostook, and those of the Walloostook from those of the Allagash.
Saddleback Mt. " forms a long ridge, with a hollow or saddle-shaped outline, from which it evidently derives its descriptive name. It is situated in Madrid, Franklin county. It bears N. 26° E. from Umbagog lake, N. 34° W. from Norton's ledge in Farmington, and N. 19> W. from Mt. Blue."
There is another mountain of this name in the town of Baldwin, Cumberland county. On one side of it, there is "a precipice more than 200 feet perpendicular."
Speckled Mts. There are three mountains of this name in Maine. The first is "a rough and barren mass of granite in Peru," Oxford county, N. N. E. from Paris hill. It is a lofty and abrupt mountain.
The second " is a lofty, broken cone, apparently of granite, rising above the sur- rounding hills," and is situated in the township of Holines, Oxford county, bearing S. 10° W. from Umbagog lake, distant 12 miles. Its top is naked and pointed. It is estimated to be about 3000 feet in height, " and ranks as one of the highest moun- taine in the state."
The third is situated in the town of Stoneham, Oxford county, and is composed of granite. It received its name from the circuinstance of its being checked all over with small groups of fir-trees, on a ground of white granite. At a distance it has a very beautiful appearance.
Spencer's Mt. is a solitary elevation abont 3000 feet above the level of the sea. It is situated in Piscataquis county, N. of Baker's mount, and on the east side of Mooschead lake.
Squaw Mt. is situated on the south side of Moosehead lake, rising from its very shore, and its summit presents the appearance of the crater of an extinguished vol- cano. This mountain presents strong indications of a coal formation, and it has
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been reported that pieces of coal have been found upon it. It is more elevated than mount Kineo, on the east side of the lake. It is more than 1000 feet above the lake, and 2000 above the level of the sea.
Streaked Mt. is situated in the corners of the towns of Paris, Buckfield, and Hebron, in Oxford county, S. E. from Paris hill. It is 1756 feet above high-water mark in Portland harbor. It " is composed of a coarse variety of granite, which has burst through the surrounding gneiss rocks that recline upon its sides, and form a large proportion of its mass. From its summit a most interesting panoramic view may be had of the towns and lakes" (of the last of which no less than ten may be counted) " and mountains around, and it has justly been a place of resort on account of its picturesque scenery."
Sugar-Loaf Mt. is situated on the east side of Seboois river, three miles distant. Its height is 2650 feet, 1900 feet of which is above the bed of the river. " No less than 50 mountains and 17 lakes may be seen from the summit" of this mountain. It " is composed of grey-wacke and clay slate, cut through by a huge trap dyke, the igneous influence of which has converted the slate in contact with it, into a beautiful blood-red jasper, hornstone and compact feldspar. This great dyke is no less than 500 feet wide, and it rises higher above the sea, " says Dr. Jackson, "than I have ever known that rock to attain, and is certainly a most wonderful phenomenon."
Thyng's Mt. is situated in the town of Newfield, York county, and is 1700 feet above the sea-level, and is composed entirely of sienite rocks. In the same neighborhood, at the south, in the town of Sanford, are the Bonny Big Hills, called by sailors, the Three Butter Pots, from their appearance at sea.
Traveller's Mt. is the name applied to a remarkable saddle-shaped mountain, composed of two peaks. "This mountain is seen from many different points of view, and hence its name. It is not designated upon the state maps." Its centre bears N. 7º W. from lake Millinocket, in Piscataquis county.
Waldo, Mt., situated in the town of Frankfort, Waldo county, is a mass of ex- cellent and beautiful granite for building, free from foreign matter. This mountain is 964 feet above the level of the Penobscot river, upon the west bank of which it stands. It is a commanding eminence, seen distinctly from Bangor. " It is a huge dome-shaped mass of naked rock."
Wassataquoik Mt. is one of the Katahdin group, and is six miles from Outop or Chinskeheegan mount, and is estimated to be 5000 feet high, and is next in elevation to the mountain from which the group receives its name.
Whitecap Mt. is a singular mountain in the town of Rumford, in Oxford county, and is a very prominent and striking object.
To these we might add many other curious elevations of land, such as, Mt. Mica, in Paris, Oxford county, distinguished for that mineral; Red Rock Mt. in Stone- ham, noted for the redness of its rocks, and having a perpendicular precipice 250 feet in height, and 500 feet in width; but what has been said is sufficient to show that Maine has much grand and beautiful scenery to interest the traveller.
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Talleys.
As rivers conduct to the ocean the rains and melted snows in portions of country which they drain, the extent of valleys is generally known by the size and rapidity of their streams. With so many water courses as Maine possesses, her valleys are very numerous, and exceedingly diversified in their surface. The great valleys of the Penobscot and Kennebec are quite similar in their general character. Near the sea coast they are narrow, with high hills and craggy bluffs approaching near the streams ; but they expand as the rivers advance towards the head of tide water.
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Above tide water the banks of the streams are broken and precipitous in many places ; but in advancing, the high lands recede from the rivers, and a gently undu- lating country presents itself in various sections of from 30 to 50 miles in extent. In the valleys of these rivers, and in those of the Androscoggin, Aroostook, and St. John, and their several branches, are large bodies of fine alluvial soil.
Lakes and Ponds.
. Maine abounds in lakes and ponds. There is hardly a town in the state but con- tains one or more of these reservoirs, and some of them contain five or six, and even more. Many of these bodies of water are of surpassing beauty, and surrounded by scenery of every variety, from the smiling and beautiful, to the most wild, frowning, grand and sublime. Some of them are small, containing only a few acres; while others are of a magnitude which entitle them to a rank among lakes of the first class.
We can notice only some of the most important of these bodies of water-those the most noted as sources of rivers, or which demand attention on account of their beauty and the sublimity of the scenery with which they are surrounded.
Allagash Lakes are a collection of lakes and ponds which form the source and are scattered along the whole length of the Allagash river. The principal of these are Ponguonquamook or Mud Lake, a name derived from the muddy character of its waters, which forms the southern source of the Allagash river; Baamchenun- quamook, Appmoojeenequamook, Great Cross, or Chamberlain Lake, is the largest collection of water in the group, and extends N. N. E. and S. S. W. about 12 miles ; Pongokwahem Lake; Umasaskis or Sausage, are a long string of lakes through which the river flows; and the Upper and Lower Pattaquonquomis Lakes. These bodies of water present a great variety of scenery. In many places their shores are low and swampy, and in others they are abrupt and broken.
Androscoggin Lakes consist of a collection of six lakes on the north-west fron- tier of Maine. They are called Umbagog, which is 12 miles long, and from 1 to 3 miles wide ; Allagundebagog, which is 2 miles wide; Welokinbacook, which is 5 miles long, and from 1 to 3 miles wide ; Molachenkamaeenk, which is 6 miles long, and from 1 to 2 miles wide; Mooseelumaguntic, which is 14 miles long, and from one half a mile to 4 miles broad; Rangley's or Aquosack, which is 6 miles long, and from 1 to 2 miles in width. These lakes forin the principal sources of the Andros- coggin river, and cover an area of about 75 square miles, and are elevated about 800 feet above the sea.
Bascanhegan Lake is a large body of water in the northern part of Washington county, mostly in township No. 9; but it extends itself into the eastern part of No. 8, where the road from Calais to Houlton touches its western shore. Its waters are conveyed to the Mattawamkeag by a river of the same name as itself.
Cobbesseconte Lakes are a group of lakes and ponds which form the source of the Cobbesseconte river, which empties into the Kennebec at Gardiner. This is an Indian name, and means Sturgeon fishing ground, or abounding in sturgeon. These lakes extend from the south part of New Sharon to Gardiner, draining the whole of the south-west part of Kennebec county. The most important of these ponds or lakes are, Winthrop, Readfield, Wayne, and Mount Vernon Ponds. Many of these sheets of water are of surpassing beauty, particularly the two first, which contain many islands, and their shores are covered with fertile and highly-cultivated fields.
Damariscotta Pond is a collection of water situated in the towns of Jefferson and Nobleboro', Lincoln county. It is 10 miles in length, and about one third of a mile in width, and has an outlet of the same name, which empties into the ocean through Muscongus bay.
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Grand Lake is the source of the river St. Croix. It is situated on the eastern border of Maine, and lies partly in Washington county and partly in the province of New Brunswick. It contains a large number of islands, and receives the waters of many small lakes and ponds. It lies about 90 miles E. N. E. from Bangor.
Moosehead Lake is the largest collection of fresh water in Maine, if not in New England. It is 40 miles long, and varies from 1 to 12 miles in width. It is elevated 960 feet above the level of the sea; is a beautiful sheet of water, containing numerous islands. Its Indian name is Seboomook, which means a moose's head. It is very irregular in its form, and has many deep bays and coves. It lies on the western border of Piscataquis county, and is navigated by a steamboat.
Parmachena Lake "is a beautiful sheet of water, 8 miles long, and about 1 mile in width." It is not found on any map of the state, but is situated near the source of the Margalloway river, at the foot of Camel's Rump mountain, in township No. 4, 6th range, in Oxford county.
Penesewasse Pond is situated just above, or N. W. from Norway village, in the town of Norway, Oxford county. It is about 10 miles long, and one half to a mile in width. It is a most splendid sheet of water, and affords very good water power at and below the village upon its outlet, which is called Steep Falls Stream.
Penobscot Lakes is a name we choose to give a group of lakes and ponds situated near the centre of Piscataquis county, and extending into the western part of Penob- scot, and emptying their waters into the Penobscot river. They commence near the Grand Falls of the Penobscot river, and extend N. W. to Umbazookskus lake, which is only 1 3-4 miles from Ponguongamook or Mud lake, the principal source of the Allagash river, and all of them empty into the west branch of the Penobscot, or that river passes through them. The most important of these lakes are Shad Pond, one mile above Grand Falls, which is the first in the collection, and is merely a widening of the river ; Millinocket, which is a large lake, the most eastern of the group, lying partly in Penobscot, and partly in Piscataquis counties, and full of small islands, as its name implies ; and its waters are conveyed to Shad pond by a stream of its own name, six miles above Nicatou ;* Katachinæe; Quakis, a narrow pond, three miles long ; Elbow Lake; North Twin; Pamidumcook or Bar Lake; Ambejijis; Katep- skenegan, which is a long strip of water; Rippogenus, two miles long ; Chesuncook, running N. E. and S. W., 18 miles long and 2 miles wide, the name of which means big ; Umnbazookskus, which is the most northern of the group, a shallow, sandy- bottomed body of water. Most of these lakes are very beautiful, containing nume- rous islands, and surrounded by imposing scenery, especially in the distance. Splendid views are had from them of the lofty peaks of mount Katahdin, Joe Merry mount, Outop mount, and others.
Schoodic Lakes are large collections of water, of very irregular forms, joined together by boatable streams or passages. They are principally in Washington county, but extend west into Hancock and Penobscot counties. Their waters are conveyed into the river St. Croix by an outlet but 9 miles in length, called Schoodic river. These lakes cover a large surface, and are navigable for boats. Their borders, and indeed the whole country around them, is densely wooded.
Sebago Lake is 12 miles long, and 9 miles wide, and contains many islands. The largest of these contains about 700 acres. It never entirely freezes over in the severest weather. It is situated in the western part of Cumberland county, and is a fine sheet of water, forming the source of Presumpscot river, and in connec- tion with several smaller lakes and the Cumberland and Oxford Canal, forins an inland water communication of about 50 miles in extent, from Portland.
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