$138,157Average Value$140Average Price per Sq Ft1Home For Sale
Simple, rural living along the Mattawamkeag River
Passing through town on U.S. Highway 2, it’s possible for folks to miss Mattawamkeag if they aren’t paying close enough attention. This is a real blink-and-you’ll-miss-it town, with just a handful of homes and businesses scattered around the one-lane highway that runs through it. But while it might not look like much, Mattawamkeag has just enough for residents to get by and plenty of nature to spare. “Most of the families who live here extend back generations, though we did have a small influx a few years back,” says Carleton Norris, a local who manages Mattawamkeag Wilderness Park. Despite this town’s small size, its history can be traced all the way back to its earliest inhabitants, the Penobscot tribe. Since then, the junction of the Mattawamkeag and Penobscot Rivers has been both a humble fishing community and a tiny railroad town along the Maine Central Railroad. Nowadays, though, Mattawamkeag is for people searching for a true escape from cities and suburbs. “It’s definitely rural living,” Norris says. “But for the most part, people look after each other.”
The Penbscot River and Mattawamkeag river meet.
Skip stones across the rivers that surround Mattawamkeag.
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Rustic homes and plots of land
Most homes in Mattawamkeag are located just off U.S. Highway 2 on densely wooded lots. These houses are charming and rustic, stripped of flashy flairs except for painted shutters and front porches. Often, homebuyers here purchase lots to construct their own home, as houses can be rare to list for sale. While a manufactured home can sell for under $100,000, ranch-style houses or cottages typically ask for $100,000 to $150,000. Prices rarely climb above $200,000, but a farmhouse with acreage can ask for up to $260,000.
Mattawamkeag architecture varies greatly from home to home.
Mattawamkeag residents take pride in their landscaping.
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Schools are just south in Lincoln
Homes in Mattawamkeag are zoned to Regional School Unit No. 67, which encompasses the communities of Mattawamkeag, Lincoln and Chester. Its schools are based in Lincoln, roughly 13 miles south. Ella P. Burr School serves students in pre-kindergarten through the third grade, while grades four through eight are housed in Mattanawcook Junior High. Both schools score a C-plus from Niche, and Mattanawcook Academy, the area’s high school, earns a C grade. Students at Mattanawcook High can apply to the Jobs for Maine Graduates program, which prepares high schoolers to enter the workforce or pursue higher education through portfolio development, community service and academic conferences. Students in the program receive 12 months of follow-up after graduation to ensure a smooth transition out of high school.
Students of Mattawamkeag begin their academic studies at Ella P. Burr School.
Mattawamkeag students attend Mattanawcook Junior High School from 4th to 8th grade.
Mattawamkeag Students finish their schooling at Mattanawcook Academy.
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Get lost in Mattawamkeag Wilderness Park
Forests and farmland span for miles around Mattawamkeag, and the town itself is bordered by the Mattawamkeag River to the north and the Penobscot River to the west. This area doesn’t have the typical parks with playgrounds and soccer fields, though there are some nearby in Lincoln. Instead, folks in Mattawamkeag take to the wilderness that surrounds them. Mattawamkeag Wilderness Park and Campground is about 8 miles east of town, a drive that takes about 30 minutes via the rural backroads. Driving down the dirt path to the park might feel like getting lost, but that’s exactly why folks choose to visit. This remote riverfront park and campground is ideal for fishing, canoeing or simply basking in the tranquility of the rushing waters lined by pines and firs. While the park is private enough to visit without seeing another soul, it has just enough amenities for campers to get by on. “We cater to people looking for something off the beaten path, but they still want their creature comforts. So we’ve got showers, bathrooms, all that. Just don’t come here expecting wi-fi,” Norris says. Hikers can lace up their boots and make a trek to Sleugundy Heater Gorge to observe its staggering rock formations or continue even farther to reach Gordon Falls.
Homes with large lots line the banks of the of the Penbscot River in Mattawamkeag.
Flowers grow through the rocks along the shores of the Mattawamkeag River.
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Just enough businesses to get by on
For those passing through, it’s almost impossible to know where to stop in Mattawamkeag. Its local establishments are often run out of homes, with faded or nondescript signage such as “restaurant” that do little to direct visitors. Residents, however, know there’s just enough in town to get by on. Municipal buildings dot U.S. Highway 2, locally called Main Street. Madden’s Store provides everyday conveniences, while Wyman Hardware is chock-full of supplies. Fro Dough Pizza & Bake Shop is perhaps the town’s best-known restaurant, operating out of a tiny takeout counter in a little shack painted with ice cream cones and bicycles. Crossroads BNB offers a simple menu of comforting classics, from all-you-can-eat bowls of pasta to chicken pot pie. Most residents head into Lincoln for weekly grocery runs and other necessities. The town has big-box stores such as Walmart and Hannaford in addition to a Main Street strip with local restaurants and the area’s health facility, Penobscot Valley Hospital. “You definitely have to go to Lincoln for things, but Mattawamkeag’s a nice place to come home to after work,” Norris says.
Big Apple has all the household needs Mattawamkeag residents need.
Try the burger at Crossroads BNB Mattawamkeag you won't be disappointed.
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Residents head to Lincoln for events, including the Loon Festival
Lincoln, considered the nearest commercial center to Mattawamkeag, is known for its myriad lakes and its annual Loon Festival. People from across the region come to town to celebrate this beloved lake bird with a weekend of festivities capped off by a parade and a waterfront race, cheekily known as the Redneck Regatta. Even outside of the festival weekend, it’s nearly impossible to miss the town’s 13-foot-long loon statue that sits against the shores of Mattanawcook Pond.
On Fridays Mattawamkeag can shop at the Lincoln Farmers Market.
For more shopping and dining options Mattawamkeag residents go to Main St. in Lincoln.
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Interstate 95 is close by for trips to Bangor
U.S. Highway 2 runs 13 miles south directly to Lincoln, a drive that typically takes 15 to 20 minutes. Interstate 95 is just outside of Lincoln and continues directly to Bangor, about 60 miles or roughly an hour away from Mattawamkeag.
1.48 acres +- on the Penobscot river! walk right down to the water or pull up a chair and fish until your bucket is full. This property has great fishing and a very gently sloping incline to the water. Afterwards relax and cook dinner in your screened in porch.
Looking for the perfect basecamp to enjoy Maine's wilderness year-round? This is your opportunity. This level, open lot offers 210 feet of frontage on the scenic Penobscot River and comes ready with a septic system, well, and electricity already in place plus two camper hookups and a shed for extra convenience. With a 3-bedroom septic system installed, you also have the option to build your dream
Stacy WhiteBetter Homes & Gardens Real Estate/The Masiello Group
Turnkey pizza business opportunity in Mattawamkeag, Maine! This well-loved restaurant is a favorite stop for locals and travelers alike, known for serving some of the best pizza around. Located at the gateway to the north, this affordable business is perfect for anyone looking to be their own boss. The property includes two lots and has seen many updates to both the building and equipment.
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
James Spear,
an experienced agent in this area.
Average Home Value
Source: Public RecordsDisclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
