Wayne is a scenic lake town in central Maine
Located in the Winthrop Lakes Region of central Maine, Wayne is a small town known for its access to water recreation and the outdoors. “It's like a hallmark Maine lake town — very picturesque,” says Anna Moskowitz, an associate broker and Realtor with Hoang Realty who’s sold homes in the area since 2012. Androscoggin Lake is the biggest lake in this area, and others include Pocasset Lake, Berry Pond and Wilson Pond. Many of the homes here have private lake access, but there’s also plenty of public access points. The community has a small commercial area that hosts events like the annual Strawberry Festival. The larger town of Winthrop is only 6 miles away, while Maine’s capital, Augusta, is an 18-mile drive.
Outdoor recreation centers on lakes, trails and wildlife
Androscoggin Lake is the largest of the community’s lakes and ponds, and boaters can access the water at a public boat ramp or join the Androscoggin Yacht Club, which offers sailing and swimming lessons. The lake is also known for its wildlife. “Everybody loves our loons,” Moskowitz says. “People count the loons every year; it’s a whole thing.” On the third Saturday of July, members of the Androscoggin Lake Association count and document the loon population to help protect the beloved birds, which are known for their haunting songs.
Hiking areas here include Gott Pasture Preserve and the Macdonald Conservation Area. Nearby, Mount Pisgah Conservation Area has a hiking trail to a fire tower that provides expansive views of the surrounding landscape. In winter, many of these trails can be used for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, and the 30 Mile River Snowmobiling Club maintains snowmobile trails throughout the community. Cary Memorial Library hosts regular events, including a monthly book club, a weekly story and craft time, and a spring plant sale.
Lakefront properties and forested retreats
Most of Wayne is heavily forested, and the homes here can sit on multiple acres, with the trees providing a sense of privacy from neighbors and the road. Farmhouses from the early 1900s and ranch-style homes are common, and there are also lakefront homes with private docks and beaches. “There are definitely a good number of seasonal homes in Wayne, especially on the lake or around the lake,” Moskowitz says. A few active farms remain in the area, typically farther away from the lakes, where pastures and crop land fill the view. Home prices generally range from around $250,000 to $730,000, while manufactured homes can cost between $130,000 and $170,000. Lakefront properties can have a high risk of flooding and might require flood insurance.
Local shops and farms offer seasonal treats and fresh produce
Wayne’s Main Street is home to a small commercial area between Androscoggin and Pocasset Lakes. Here, Tubby’s Own Ice Cream serves lobster rolls, foot-long hot dogs and hand-dipped ice cream from May through September. A Small Town Bakery at Wayne General Store is open year-round and offers handmade desserts and sandwiches. “They also have a place that’s kind of an institution, which is a farm called Stevenson’s Strawberries,” Moskowitz says. “They start with strawberries, and they end with pumpkins. So, you can go and pick pounds and pounds of delicious strawberries, and then at the end of the year, you go and buy the pumpkins by the trunkload or by the truckload. It’s so much fun.” Each Saturday from Memorial Day through Labor Day, the Wayne Farmers Market provides locally sourced produce, meat and other foods. More shopping and dining options — including a Hannaford grocery store — are in Winthrop.
The annual Strawberry Festival brings the community together
In mid-July, the annual Strawberry Festival draws out the community for a day of games, live music and vendors selling strawberry-themed products. The day kicks off with a cardboard boat race and also includes a strawberry jam contest. “We go to it every year, and I actually have a friend from Georgia who comes up,” Moskowitz says. “It’s right on the water. It’s all really pretty.”
Regional School Unit 38 serves the area
Kids attend Regional School Unit 38, which earns an overall rating of B from Niche. They can start at the C-plus-rated Wayne Elementary and then go to the B-rated Maranacook Community Middle. At the B-minus-rated Maranacook Community High, students can participate in the theater program, which puts on a musical and a play each year.
Augusta and Lewiston-Auburn are around 30 minutes away
State Route 133 leads 6 miles to Winthrop, a drive that takes around 10 minutes. Augusta is around 18 miles away, and Lewiston-Auburn is a 23-mile drive; both cities are around 30 minutes away. MaineGeneral Medical Center's Alfond Center for Health is 20 miles away. Portland International Jetport is a 64-mile trip. Residents rely on their cars to get around, though there are sidewalks in Wayne’s town center. Wayne Community Church serves the area, and more houses of worship are in Winthrop.
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Written By
Annie Franklin
