Bucksport offers nature trails, small businesses and ghost stories
While Bucksport’s history has some coming here to seek out ghosts, residents love this small Maine town for its community events, locally owned businesses and nature trails. Located on the Penobscot River about 14 miles from Bangor, Bucksport offers a variety of water recreation near its walkable downtown, and Rich Rotella, the town’s economic development director who’s lived here for 22 years, says his favorite part of living in Bucksport is access to trails, but he admits, “Bucksport’s got this history of spookiness.” Bucksport’s most famous tale involves the gravestone of its founder, Jonathan Buck. He allegedly burned a woman accused of being a witch, and the outline of her foot appears dancing on his grave; even when cleaned, the shape reappears. “A lot of tourists and even the locals check it out,” Rotella says. Though the accuracy of the tale is disputed, the legend attracts visitors to this peaceful waterfront town, which leans into its spooky reputation with the annual Halloween-themed event, Ghostport.
Nineteenth-century architecture and multiacre properties
Homes in Bucksport’s town center typically date from the 1800s or early 1900s and feature various architectural styles, including Federal, Queen Anne and New England designs characterized by steeply pitched roofs and wooden exterior siding. Properties here are typically close together and have paved driveways. Farther from town, newer ranch-style and Cape Cod homes can sit on multiple acres, and lakefront properties are available. Prices typically range from $200,000 to $580,000, though homes with luxury amenities can cost more. Manufactured houses can range from $60,000 to $190,000. Some properties and apartments near town are available to rent.
Schools earn an overall B-minus and offer championship robotics
Kids can attend schools in Regional School Unit 25, which earns an overall rating of B-minus from Niche. The unrated G.H. Jewett School teaches pre-kindergarten and kindergarten, and the C-rated Miles Lane School covers first through fourth grade. Bucksport Middle earns a C-plus, and Bucksport High earns a B. “The people are so supportive of the kids,” Rotella says. “The robotics team at the high school always makes it to the world championships, and the community rallies around that and all the sports teams. I’m also the high school softball coach, and we just won the state championship this year. It’s really a great community.”
Outdoor fun includes nature trails and Silver Lake recreation
Bucksport is full of trails, from the mile-long Waterfront Walkway along the riverfront to the 3-mile Miles Lane Trail. “It’s a great walk for nature but also for walking with friends, walking with your dog,” Rotella says. Ian’s Playground is a popular spot for kids to burn off some energy. “Silver Lake is a great place for fishing, ice fishing, taking your boat out. There are trails around the lake as well,” Rotella says. “It’s a really nice place to get out and enjoy all Bucksport has to offer when it comes to nature and being on the water.” The Penobscot River also lends itself to water recreation, and boaters can dock at the municipal marina. Built in the 1910s, the Alamo Theater shows new movies and independent films.
Annual events like Ghostport bring the community together
Each July, the Bucksport Bay Festival draws thousands to the area for a day of vendors and kids' activities. The festival includes a parade, a car show and a kids’ zone. “Ghostport is another popular event,” Rotella says. “It’s the third Saturday in October, and it's got a Halloween theme.” The one-day event features a chili cookoff, a costume parade and a trebuchet that launches pumpkins into the Penobscot River. In December, residents go all-out decorating floats for the Holiday Lights Parade. “We give out cash prizes for the top three floats,” Rotella says. “We’ve got fireworks at the end of the night, and some nonprofits put on a s'mores lounge on the waterfront where you can roast marshmallows and have hot chocolate.”
Main Street and Highway 1 offer locally owned eateries and shops
Bucksport’s stores and restaurants are concentrated along Main Street and U.S. Highway 1. The family-owned Warren’s Waterfront Restaurant serves breakfast and lunch, and it has a patio with views of the river. Carrier’s Mainely Lobster is a casual takeout counter that specializes in lobster rolls and steamers. Residents can go to Bookstacks for new and used books, wine or coffee, but many go to visit with Lucky, the store’s cat. Other shops sell antiques, quilting supplies and toys. From May through October, the Bucksport Bay Farmers’ Market sells locally sourced produce and baked goods each Thursday at Elm Street Congregational Church. Grocery stores include Hannaford and Family Dollar.
Health care, houses of worship and transportation in Bucksport
State Route 15 leads about 14 miles to Bangor, and Highway 1 leads roughly 23 miles to both Ellsworth and Belfast. Downeast Transportation operates a shuttle service around town on Mondays and Wednesdays, and sidewalks make most of the town’s center pedestrian friendly. Bucksport Regional Health Center provides basic health care services, and the nearest hospital is Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center, located 15 miles away. Bangor International Airport is 18 miles away.
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Written By
Annie Franklin
