Bremen’s maritime heritage lives on through coastal villages
Bremen is a quiet coastal town that embodies Maine’s natural setting. While the full-time population is fewer than 1,000 residents, that number grows a bit in the summer months. Located on Muscongus Bay of the Gulf of Maine, the town is laid out into several smaller villages—Broad Cove, Medomak, Turners Corner and Muscongus—each with its own character. Broad Cove sits where the Medomak River meets Muscongus Bay and features trails, a marina, and Hog Island, home to the Audubon Camp. Medomak offers shell fishing access and working harbors. Turner’s Corner is centrally located, while Muscongus anchors the southern part of town.
Originally settled by German immigrants as a farming and fishing community, the Lincoln County town still carries that heritage in its working farms and waterfront. Today, lobster and clam harvesting are central to the local economy, alongside seasonal tourism that draws visitors to its natural preserves and coastline. “It’s not cultivated, it’s authentic. There are beautiful rolling saltwater farms with old farmhouses and peaceful oceanfront properties with larger parcels of rural land,” says Melanie Trott , broker/owner with The MidcoastHome Real Estate Company. “There’s no little town center in the community; everything is spread out. But it’s close to Damariscotta for amenities.”
Back roads lead to camp cottages and rural farmhouses
Residential roads are quiet and scenic, winding past ponds, preserves and stretches of coastline. “There are a bunch of seasonal camps in Bremen, and there’s not a lot of turnover,” Trott says. More than 90% of residents own their homes, and the median sale price is about $680,000. The market is extremely competitive, as homes sell after an average of just two days. In the more rural parts of Bremen, cottages and farmhouses are common, while other areas feature Cape Cods, ranch-styles and colonial-inspired properties. Prices can start around $150,00 for a cozy and rustic camp and rise to more than $2 million for a coastal home on multiple acres.
Wildlife preserves and ponds offer natural escapes
With a coastal setting and wildlife preserves, nature is central to life here. Hog Island, just offshore, serves as a wildlife sanctuary and hosts the Audubon Camp, which educates people on environmental conservation. The town is also home to several preserves, including Geele Preserve and Pemaquid Pond Preserve, which both offer quiet trails and opportunities for birdwatching. Inland from the bay, Bremen has a handful of small ponds scattered throughout town that are popular for kayaking, swimming and fishing.
Lobster and clam dishes highlight the local dining scene
The retail and dining scene in Bremen is limited, with just a couple of local spots tucked along the waterfront and most shopping done in neighboring towns. On the south side of town, The Anchor serves freshly caught seafood, specializing in lobster, clams and scallops in a casual, waterside setting. Nearby, Muscongus Bay Lobster Company is another bayside favorite, known for its lobster rolls. For groceries and everyday essentials, residents typically head to Hannaford, with locations in Damariscotta to the west and Waldoboro to the north. The nearest general hospital, Lincoln Hospital is also located about 8 miles away in Damariscotta.
A-rated public and private schools serve area students
Students living in Bremen can attend kindergarten through eighth grade at Bristol Consolidated School, ranked the No. 1 public elementary school in Lincoln County by Niche, which gives it an A rating. Since Bremen doesn’t have its own public high school, it’s considered a tuition-paying town, meaning the town covers the cost for students to attend a school of their choice. Many opt for Lincoln Academy, a private boarding school in nearby Newcastle that holds an A-minus rating. The academy draws both local and international students and offers a broad range of academic and extracurricular programs, including VEX Robotics.
State Route 32 connect residents to nearby towns
Bremen is car dependent, with no public bus or train service available. State Route 32 runs north-south through town and serves as the main road for residents, connecting them to nearby coastal communities and to U.S. Route 1, which is about five miles north. For further travel, Portland International Jetport is about 65 miles away.
Written By
Mary Beth Greene
