Albion offers rural living with access to nearby towns
Albion, a small rural town in central Maine, offers a laid-back and pastoral setting for its roughly 2,000 residents. The Kennebec County town, settled in 1790, includes the villages of Albion and South Albion. The main village is home to the town office, elementary school, a general store and the Greek Revival-style Albion Christian Church. “Albion has a cute little downtown with one little main road and a gas station,” says Traci Britten, a local librarian in the neighboring town of China. Lovejoy Pond is a local favorite for kayaking, fishing and swimming, and both full-time and seasonal camps surround its shoreline. U.S. Route 202 connects residents to the surrounding towns, including Augusta, the state capital. “Many use Albion as an avenue to get to other areas, like Bangor,” Britten says, referring to the larger city about 40 miles northeast. Off the main highway, country back roads lined with farmsteads contribute to Albion’s slow-paced atmosphere.
Small markets and farms serve most daily needs
Because of Albion’s extremely rural landscape, the town's retail offerings mainly consist of small markets and farmsteads. The Albion Corner Store in the small town center has sandwiches, some grocery items and a gas pump. Albion Mini Mart also doubles as a kitchen, offering made-to-order pizza and burgers alongside select convenience market items. On the town’s north side, the family-owned Misty Brook Farm sells organic meats, eggs, grains and dairy, all grown and raised on-site. Another family-owned farmstead is Hart to Hart Farm, which offers milk, meats and eggs. The farm also hosts educational programs and family-friendly events, like Farm Days and Farm Camp.
Lakefront cabins and farm estates provide seclusion
The majority of Albion is made up of single-family homes, with an owner-occupancy rate of 82%. Most homes are located down quiet back roads lined with pine and maple trees, opening into clearings of farm fields. The market offers a variety of New England styles, including Cape Cods, Colonial-inspired homes and farmhouse vernacular architecture, with a median sale price of around $365,000. On the lower end, buyers can find modest homes starting at 700 square feet, often on multiple acres, for $130,000 to $250,000. Slightly larger ranch styles, Cape Cod cabins, split-levels, and colonial styles—many with multi-car garages and more acreage—typically range from $185,000 to $385,000. Lakefront homes on Lovejoy Pond, including Cape Cod camps and multi-story chalets, offer private water access and woodsy seclusion that can reach up to $450,000. Rare farm estate-like properties on more than 60 acres may sell for as much as $925,000.
Lovejoy Pond presents bass fishing and kayaking
A point of pride for those who live in Albion is Lovejoy Pond, a 379-acre lake popular for warm-weather recreation. There are no public boat launches, but residents can access the water from private docks or personal boat ramps. The lake attracts those looking for bass and perch fishing, as well as those who want to go kayaking and swimming.
Lawrence public schools encourage experiential learning
Albion public school students can begin at Albion Elementary, which receives a C-minus rating from Niche, before progressing to Lawrence Junior High School, which has a C-plus. Students can then advance to Lawrence High School, which holds a C and was a recent recipient of the state’s Rethinking Responsive Education Ventures—or RREV—funds. The Maine Department of Learning awards public schools with RREV to invest in their outdoor and experiential learning. Lawrence High used the funds to create the Lawrence Engagement and Achievement Program—or LEAP—to alternatively educate students through community engagement and other nontraditional practices.
U.S. Route 202 connects locals to surrounding areas
U.S. Route 202 runs north-south through Albion, serving as the car-dependent community’s main thoroughfare. The highway connects residents to surrounding towns, including Augusta, 25 miles southwest. No public buses or trains service the area.
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Written By
Mary Beth Greene
