Madison blends recreation with small-town charm in the Kennebec Valley
Along the banks of the Kennebec River, Madison is a rural community of fewer than 5,000 people. The small town sits in Maine’s Western Foothills, where residents can access year-round outdoor recreation. “If you’re really into ATVs, snowmobiling, skiing and hiking, your access point there is much closer,” says Nick Isgro, a Realtor with eXp Realty who was born and raised in central Maine. While fishermen frequent the Kennebec River and Wesserunsett Lake, winter sports enthusiasts can head 38 miles northwest to Sugarloaf Mountain. In addition to its natural surroundings, Madison has a quaint downtown that embraces New England charm. “It’s a sweet little town that’s somewhat preserved in time. If you replaced the cars on the street, it would look like the 1950s,” Isgro says.
Year-round recreation near the Kennebec River and Wesserunsett Lake
Residents can access the Kennebec River at the Nathan Street Boat Launch, and the Historic Pines Trail offers carry-in access for fishing, kayaking and canoeing. Main Street Playground is a popular spot for kids, with slides, climbing walls and a swing set. Youth sports leagues frequent the Preble Avenue Recreational Facility, which has football, baseball and softball fields. During Madison’s snowy winters, which average around four feet of snowfall annually, the town grooms cross-country skiing trails at the recreational facility. For snowmobilers, the Abnaki Sno-Riders Snowmobile Club maintains roughly 40 miles of snowmobiling trails that crisscross through town.
Wesserunsett Lake covers 1,446 acres near the village of East Madison. The East Madison Boat Launch provides access to the lake and is also a popular spot for swimming, shoreline fishing and watching the sunset. There are a few campgrounds near the water, and the Lakewood Theater sits along the lake’s western shore. Founded in 1898, the theater proudly declares itself the country’s longest-running summer theater and puts on several shows each season. The Lakewood Golf Course rounds out the town’s recreational offerings with an 18-hole course that’s open to the public.
Classic New England home styles downtown, countryside and lakefront
Madison offers a variety of housing styles and options. Downtown is the most densely populated part of the community, featuring traditional New Englander, Cape Cod and ranch-style homes on tree-lined streets. American Foursquares and Victorian-style houses are also common in this part of town. Properties in the countryside tend to have larger lots and include sprawling ranch-style and log cabin-inspired homes with up to several acres of land. “You’re going to see a lot of that classic, mid-century mix,” Isgro says. Prices typically range from $160,000 for smaller properties to $370,000 for larger builds with significant acreage. Waterfront properties on Wesserunsett Lake tend to be more expensive, though they rarely come on the market.
Downtown has local businesses and essentials near farm-fresh favorites
Downtown Madison anchors the community with a handful of shops, restaurants and small businesses. Regional favorites include Campbell’s Hardware and Renys Department Store, a one-stop shop selling brand-name clothes, toys and more at discounted prices. A hair salon and an old-fashioned barbershop serve the community alongside bigger retailers like Family Dollar and Hannaford.
Downtown’s dining scene includes fast-casual chains such as Subway and Dunkin’, along with family-owned restaurants such as Fonzo’s Pizza, Seafood & More. The area is also home to the Madison Public Library and a few houses of worship. Those looking to support Madison’s agricultural community can head to Maine Maple Products, North Star Orchards or Backyard Farms, the top grower of year-round tomatoes in New England.
MASD 59 has a low student-to-teacher ratio and B-range Niche ratings
Madison is part of the Maine School Administrative District 59 (MASD 59), which earns an overall grade of B-minus from Niche and has a lower-than-average student-to-teacher ratio of 9-to-1. It consists of Madison Elementary, Main Street Middle and Madison Junior/Senior High School. The elementary and junior/senior high school both receive a B-minus from Niche, while the middle school receives a B. Students can participate with the high school's award-winning girls soccer team, which won back-to-back 8-player state championships in 2023 and 2024.
Parade, fireworks and more light up the annual Madison-Anson Days
A bridge over the Kennebec River connects Madison with the neighboring town of Anson. Each August, the two communities come together to celebrate Madison-Anson Days, a three-day festival that features a different theme each year. The event includes activities for all ages, including a parade that marches from Anson to Madison. There are also plenty of attractions on the river, including boat rides, a fishing derby and a dazzling fireworks show over the water.
State Route 43 and U.S. Route 201 pass through this car-dependent town
Residents typically rely on their cars for commuting, running errands and other daily activities. Madison’s main thoroughfares are State Route 43 and U.S. Route 201, both of which carry traffic north-south through downtown and the countryside. Residents can take US 201 to Interstate 95, which leads about 65 miles east to Bangor and roughly 40 miles southeast to Augusta. Augusta State Airport offers daily flights to Boston via Cape Air, and more commercial flights are available at Bangor International Airport. Healthcare is available at Redington-Fairview General Hospital, about 10 miles away in Skowhegan.
Written By
Sally Stimpson
