Community

Millinocket is a historic town in north-central Maine, situated along the west branch of the Penobscot River. This "Magic City" sprang to life at the turn of the twentieth century as a planned community between Houlton and Bangor, with the expansion of rail service and construction of The Great Northern Paper Mill. A friendly, active community where neighbors help neighbors, the sense of security and fellowship of decades past is still very much alive. This is a fantastic place to raise a family!  With breathtaking views of Mount Katahdin, Maine's highest peak, and frontage on an idyllic chain of sparkling lakes, Millinocket is a year-round favorite of naturalists and sporting adventurers. Come live, work and play in a region rich in natural resources and beauty, one of the last waypoints before entering the expansive wilderness of beautiful northern Maine! 




Recreation

Winter, spring, summer and fall, enjoy some of the most breathtaking scenery in the northeast! Millinocket is part of two distinct overlapping regions: The Maine Highlands, and The Katahdin Region. Bordered by some of Maine's largest lakes and highest mountains, this glacial region is a paradise for the naturalist, hiker, mountain climber, and photographer. Renowned naturalist Henry David Thoreau wrote about it, and visitors and residents who wander off the beaten path discover the richness of the region that once earned Millinocket a Top-10 ranking on the Hot U.S. Travel Destinations by TripAdvisor!

 

Summertime offers activities include camping, nature-watching, fishing, boating, canoeing, kayaking and world-class white water rafting. Miles and miles of terrain await exploration along countless lakes, rivers, streams and hiking trails. There is a 9-hole golf course, and plenty of opportunity for community recreation with basketball courts, softball, baseball, and soccer fields, tennis courts and swimming pools! When balmy summer days give way to crisp fall nights, and leaves change from lush green to vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows, it's the perfect time to join one of the local sporting leagues. Winters are snowy, but with so many options for staying active, from skiing to snowshoeing to snowmobiling and ice fishing, bundling up and heading outdoors is great fun for the whole family!

 

Baxter

Baxter State Park

 

Enjoy proximity to some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world – from the splendor of the Appalachian Trail, to Gulf Hagus - the "Grand Canyon of the East", and the Allagash Wilderness Waterway. Baxter State Park is just over an hour away. If it’s the ocean that entices you, Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor are an easy day trip. You could even venture across the border to Canada - in just over an hour!

 

If you crave a more urban scene, Bangor - Maine's second largest city - is less than 90 minutes from Millinocket. With all the amenities of a typical large city, in Bangor you can dine at your choice of gourmet restaurants, see a play, dance at a nightclub, attend a hockey game, or even try your luck at the casino! There are shopping malls, a major airport serving all major US hubs, and just fifteen minutes from downtown Bangor, you can visit the University of Maine's flagship campus in Orono, with a full time student population of more than 12,000!

 

Schools

Maine has consistently ranked among the highest in the nation in terms of educational performance, and Millinocket strives to provide an array of programs, both scholastic and extracurricular, that prepare students for success in the classroom, and as members of the community. The towns in the greater Millinocket area are dedicated to their school systems and offer many after school activities for athletes, musicians and scholars. At the primary level, children attend the Granite Street School, moving onto Millinocket Middle School, and finally Stearns High School. Stearns offers a competitive academic program, sports and arts programs including baseball, basketball, field hockey, track, hockey, band, several choirs, two musicals and a competitional play each year.

 

There are several options for higher education as well! The University of Maine system's flagship campus in Orono is a manageable commute, and offers more than 60 courses of undergraduate study, and nearly as many master’s and doctorate programs. Private colleges in Maine include such prestigious institutions as Colby, Bates and Bowdoin colleges, with a long and distinguished history of academic excellence. Maine's technical colleges are also thriving, and there are several to choose from within reach of Millinocket.

 

"Big Eddy" - a prime fishing spot in the western branch of the Penobscot River near Millinocket, Maine

 

Economy

Since Italian stone masons crafted the Great Northern Paper Mill more than 100 years ago, the Mill has been one of the leading manufacturers of paper products in the U.S., and a cornerstone of the town's revenue base. Millinocket's abundant natural resources and skilled workforce have allowed for diversification within the local economy, and a number of recent startups including a wood cabinet manufacturer, a wreath-making factory, a mail order specialty products retailer, and an engineering firm, have all found this region to be a terrific place to do business! In addition to the mainstays of manufacturing, Millinocket's reputation as a four-season recreation destination has created opportunities for a variety of seasonal businesses catering to travelers, including sporting and summer camps, guide services and whitewater rafting outfitters. With the recent approval of a major resort development just outside Millinocket, economic opportunities continue to look promising for the area!

 

Real Estate

The native Abenaki people named Millinocket, which means 'land of many islands,' in reference to the several islands on sparkling Millinocket Lake. The meandering chain of surrounding lakes, frontage on the Penobscot River, and access to thousands of acres of untouched woodland, make this region an ideal place to buy or build the home of your dreams at a reasonable price. The town center offers turn-of-the-century charm, with ornately trimmed Victorian homes and flower gardens. Lakeside living offers serenity and the unparalleled beauty of sunsets over placid waters edged with hemlock and pine, and echoing with the call of the loon. Or, you might prefer a private wooded paradise, surrounded by your own land, as far as you can see from the porch of your custom-built home, in this region abounding with deer, moose, and birds. No matter what your taste, real estate is available and affordable! Amazing scenery, combined with a safe, friendly and welcoming community, plus plenty of activities to keep you busy all year long, make Millinocket a delightful place to call home!