Farmland and nature shape Appleton’s rural character
Appleton is a small, rural town with just under 1,500 residents and a farming history that dates back to 1829. Farm fields still shape the landscape, especially those filled with wild Maine blueberries. While the setting is sparse, the town is comprised of distinct pockets that offer their own flavor. West Appleton Country Club sits to the north, the Appleton Preserve winds along the river to the east and Sennebec Lake anchors the southern edge. Around the village center, there's a library, fire department, Baptist church and a couple of local eateries. Life in Appleton moves at a slower pace, but bigger coastal cities are nearby. “People are choosing Appleton because it’s part of the Five Town school system and you tend to get more bang for your buck because it’s inland and rural,” says Melanie Trott, broker and owner with The MidcoastHome Real Estate Company. “There are rolling hills, beautiful ridges, wonderful lakes and more agriculture. It’s a small-town rural Americana feeling, all within 10 to 15 minutes of the coast.”
Golf, trails and lake days define outdoor recreation
Appleton’s outdoor scene is simple but inviting, with trails, lakes and wooded areas offering a steady dose of nature. Golfers can head to the West Appleton Country Club, a 9-hole course with a log cabin-style clubhouse. The Appleton Preserve, located to the east, features a 1.75-mile trail that follows the St. George River and is home to more than 300 plant species. In addition to hiking, it’s a popular spot for birdwatching, fishing and seasonal hunting. Sennebec Lake spans over 500 acres along the south side of town and draws locals for bass and trout fishing, kayaking and swimming. Sennebec Lake Campground includes boat slips, cabin and tent rentals, RV space, and a playground. The campground also hosts community events throughout the year—from paint nights and live music to a meet-and-greet with Santa.
Cabins and farmhouses vary in acreage and price
Homes in Appleton tend to be single-family, with nearly 90% being owner-occupied, and sit on generous plots from half an acre to 100 acres. “While Appleton does have a little village center, most of the population is spread out,” Trott says. Ranch-style layouts and wooded cabins are common, often with attached garages or wide balconies. Most properties fall between 1,000 and 2,000 square feet and are priced from $200,000 to around $575,000. Historic farmhouses from the early 1800s and secluded lakeside retreats push the upper end, with some reaching 8,000 square feet on more than 100 acres. These typically list for around $1 million, though a few go well beyond $2.5 million.
Students attend A-rated schools with innovative programs
Students living in Appleton can attend Appleton Village School, which holds an A-minus rating from Niche, for kindergarten through eighth grade They can progress to Camden Hills Regional High School, also rated an A-minus. The high school includes The Hatchery Innovation Center, launched in 2019, where students can sign up for the Innovation Engineering dual enrollment course through The University of Maine. The program encourages hands-on creativity, and recent projects involved repurposing materials to build tables and chairs.
Locals depend on nearby towns for dining and essentials
Local dining and retail options around the village center are small-scale. Bray Brook Farm runs a seasonal cash-only ice cream stand out of a wooden cabin, where residents can grab a cone and visit with the resident donkeys. The Burkettville General Store doubles as a convenience mart and gas station, with Edgecomb’s tucked inside serving breakfast, sandwiches and pizza. For groceries and everyday essentials, locals often head 5 miles south to The Common Market in the neighboring town of Union. When looking for a broader dining scene, residents can select from a range of coastal eateries 13 miles away in Camden.
Quiet state roads serve the car-dependent community
Appleton is car-dependent, with no public bus or train service available. State Route 131 and State Route 105 are the main two-lane roads that run through town, meeting near Sennebec Lake and connecting residents to nearby towns. The nearest airport is Bangor International, about 60 miles north, and the closest medical facility is MaineHealth Waldo Hospital in Belfast, approximately 20 miles away.
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Written By
Mary Beth Greene
