Fishing, hunting and farming shape life in Benton
A small, rural town in Central Maine, Benton presents an outdoorsy lifestyle centered around river fishing and dairy farming. “Benton is on the Kennebec River, where there’s good fishing,” says Marty Britten, a local municipal worker who has lived in the area his whole life. “The Sebasticook River runs through town as well, and there’s some great fishing there, too. There are also plenty of turkey, deer and other wildlife that people like to hunt in Benton.” The New England town, founded in 1842, is split into different sections. The west side hugs the river and includes Benton Station, where warehouses and shops dominate. Britten mentions that Huhtamaki Mill, a paper and plastic packaging manufacturer, is a major employer in the area. Benton’s center is shaped by the Sebasticook River and Benton Falls, where millions of alewife fish pass each year. East Benton opens into farm fields and wooded areas where residents can hunt seasonally.
Rivers and trails offer rural outdoor recreation
Outdoor recreation centers around rivers and trails, offering a mix of nature and community spirit. Both the Kennebec and Sebasticook rivers are renowned fishing spots, especially during the spring alewife spawn. Each May, the Benton Alewife Festival celebrates the town’s harvest and Benton’s status as being home to the largest alewife run on the east coast. Festivities include dam tours, guided trail walks, children’s activities like face painting and crafting, food vendors and live music. The Sebasticook River is also a popular spot for eagle watching.
For those looking to stretch their legs, the Rotary Centennial Trail runs 1.5 miles one way along a former train track. Residents can also cross over Bridge Street to access Mill Island, where there are walking trails along the river and a playground.
Colonial styles and Cape Cods present privacy
Benton is primarily made up of single-family homes, some of which sit off the town’s two-lane country roads while others sit tucked deeper into the woods. More than 85% of residences are owner-occupied and spread far from each other, bringing locals a sense of seclusion. Buyers can find historic Colonial-style homes built in the 1800s to early 1900s, Cape Cods, ranch-styles and raised ranch-styles. Most homes range from 1,000 to 2,000 square feet, though some outliers can reach beyond 3,000 square feet. Similarly, prices span between $140,000 and $450,000, while a hard-to-find farm property can cost upwards of $550,000.
Local markets and riverfront eateries serve Benton
The retail and dining scene in Benton is modest but locally rooted. Off Neck Road, one of the main drags through town, Dixon’s Country Market serves as a go-to convenience store with gas pumps and made-to-order pizza and subs. Less than a mile west, Leanne’s Place offers a rotating selection of secondhand clothing, furniture and collectibles. Another half mile west of there, residents can cross the bridge into Fairfield to find a few riverside restaurants. The River Jack Tavern is known for shareables, salads, sandwiches and specialty cocktails from its full bar. In the more rural East Benton, there are a number of farms, some offering fresh dairy or eggs. Wilson Family Maple Syrup taps from trees on-site to make a variety of maple products.
RREV helps public schools with hands-on learning
Local students can begin at Benton Elementary School before advancing to Lawrence Junior High School, both of which receive a C-plus rating from Niche. Lawrence High School, which holds a C, was recently awarded funding through Maine’s Rethinking Responsive Education Ventures, or RREV, initiative. This program supports public schools in developing experiential learning opportunities. With the grant, Lawrence High launched the Lawrence Engagement and Achievement Program, which offers alternative learning experiences through community involvement and other nontraditional approaches.
Routes 100 and 139 serve the car-dependent community
Benton’s transportation network relies on two main roads—State Route 100 and State Route 139—which wind through different parts of town. Though Interstate 95 cuts through a portion of Benton, residents must cross the Kennebec River into Fairfield to access it. The nearest airports are Bangor International Airport, about 50 miles east, and Portland International Jetport, roughly 85 miles south.
Written By
Mary Beth Greene
