Gardiner is a historic town along the Kennebec River
Gardiner is a quaint historic town in Kennebec County with about 6,000 residents. The Kennebec River flows to the east, and locals wandering the historic downtown district can hear it lapping as they shop or dine. A rail trail follows its banks, and it’s a backdrop for waterside parks and festivals. Gardiner is known for its historic architecture, and old Victorian and Colonial-style homes are scattered throughout the community, with a large concentration surrounding the town common. Plus, the community is near U.S. interstates 95 and 295, making regional travel convenient.
Historic downtown has diners, thrift shops and bookstores
Historic downtown Gardiner features a quaint strip of local businesses. Brick sidewalks and vintage streetlamps line this walkable district, where there aren’t any stop signs or strip malls. Residents can dine at spots like A1 Diner. Housed in an old railcar, the restaurant serves everything from baked beans and mac and cheese to chicken salad plates and meatloaf. Nearby, Depot Pub is the community’s local watering hole. “It’s called The Depot because the train used to run by,” says Kim Gleason, owner/broker of McAllister Real Estate, who graduated from Gardiner Area High School. “The train no longer runs through, but it maintains a lot of character.” Inside this dive, there’s an old newspaper shop front and wooden booths where folks can sip beers and eat fried food. Downtown is also known for charming shops, like Stone Bread & Books, a bakery and bookstore. A few doors down, Rags to Riches Thrift Shop sells secondhand goods, while Top-Side Gaming offers a selection of trading cards. Cultural centers, like the Johnson Opera House and the Gardiner Public Library, are also in this area. Just north of the downtown area, locals can go grocery shopping at Hannaford.
Riverfront parks and trails offer scenic spots to walk and play
Gardner Common features a walking path, playground and white gazebo in the middle of its grassy green space. Located downtown, it's surrounded by historic churches and Colonial-style homes. Nearby Waterfront Park has a boat launch, scattered benches and a waterside walkway. It’s the site of community events, including a free summer concert series on Friday nights. Also along the water, the Kennebec River Rail Trail follows a defunct rail bed for nearly 7 miles, from Augusta, Maine, to Gardiner. It’s popular for walking, running and cycling.
Historic homes surround the common, large lawns outside of downtown
No two properties look alike here, with styles ranging from charming Victorians to Colonial Revivals with bright coats of paint. Historic homes surround Gardiner Common. Away from downtown, things start to spread out, with houses sitting on large lawns. “If people own one of those historic properties, they tend to hang onto it,” Gleason says. For about $100,000 to $250,000, homebuyers can find a historic farmhouse or small cottage that may need repairs. Cape Cods or Colonial Revivals can run in the $270,000 to $500,000 range, while new construction can cost $550,000 to $700,000.
Annual festivals like Artwalk bring neighbors downtown
“There’s a lot of community involvement in Gardiner,” Gleason says. Neighbors gather for events and festivals throughout the year. The annual Artwalk Gardiner celebrates artists living and working within a 20-mile radius. Their work is displayed in galleries and businesses along Water Street, in the historic downtown. In June, the Greater Gardiner River Festival celebrates life along the Kennebec through live entertainment, food trucks, a craft fair and more. The Day of Lights takes place around the holiday season, as downtown businesses and churches adorn their exteriors with festive decorations. It’s actually a month-long celebration, which includes different events, like Shop Small Saturday, a tree lighting ceremony and a parade.
Regional School Unit No. 11 serves Gardiner
Students are zoned for the Regional School Unit No.11 district. They can attend Helen Thompson School, earning a B-minus from Niche, before Gardiner Regional Middle School, which gets a B. Next, they may attend Gardiner Area High School, which receives a C-plus from Niche and has a community service graduation requirement.
Augusta and Portland are within an easy drive from Gardiner
Gardiner is car-dependent. U.S. interstates 95 and 295 are just west of the community, and U.S. Route 201 cuts through its center, running north-south. Augusta is about 7 miles north, Portland is about 50 miles south and Maine’s coast is about 43 miles east. For air travel, Portland International Jetport is about 54 miles away.
Written By
Adreanna DeMarino
