Small farms and secluded properties in Whitefield
Farms and forests define the landscape in Whitefield, a rural Maine town located around 16 miles from Augusta. “It has quite a large agricultural history, and it's still active. There’s a little Amish community there even,” says Shane Patrick, an associate broker with Whitetail Properties Real Estate, LLC, who’s sold homes in the area for three years. “Maine doesn’t have the best land for gigantic farms, just because of the way the glaciers went across the area, but it really does work for small family farms.” While many move here to make a living off the land, many others come for the privacy and park-like setting. “It’s not so far off the beaten path that you have to travel 45 minutes-plus to get anything you need,” says Johnny Swan, an associate broker with Brookewood Realty who grew up nearby. “You can be near all the major amenities in Augusta within a half hour.”
Older farmhouses and newer Cape Cods on several acres
Whitefield’s agricultural history is easily seen in its architecture. “There’s a thing in Maine called big house, back house, little house, barn,” Patrick says. The big house and back house would shelter two generations of a farmer’s family, while the little house would function as a workshop, and the barn would accommodate animals. “Those used to be all attached a hundred years ago. The winters were much harsher, and so that way, people could get to the barn without having to go outside to tend the animals,” Patrick says. “There are a bunch of those old farmhouses, and you’ll see new construction that mimics that.” These farmhouses were typically built in the 1800s, and buyers can also find newer ranch-style and Cape Cod houses, most of which are on several acres of land. Homes built before 2000 generally cost between $260,000 and $540,000, while newer houses can cost between $560,000 and $920,000. Manufactured homes can range from around $90,000 to $300,000.
Outdoor fun includes nature trails, river access and a golf course
The Sheepscot River flows through Whitefield and is a popular spot for fishing, canoeing and rafting. The Whitefield Salmon Preserve provides access to the river, and it also has nature trails and a swimming hole. The Maguire Preserve is another hiking spot that has views of Weary Pond. Both preserves can be used in winter for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. At the public Sheepscot Links Golf Club, golfers can play the nine-hole course and work on their swings at the driving range. The Whitefield Library has regular story times, author talks and book clubs. Nearby, Damariscotta Lake State Park offers more water recreation, and the towns like Wiscasset and Damariscotta provide access to coastal waters.
High schoolers have school choice
Kids go to Regional School District 12, which receives an overall rating of B from Niche. They can start at the B-rated Whitefield Elementary, which teaches elementary and middle grades. High schoolers have school choice and can attend one of several schools in the region, including private schools for no cost. The A-minus-rated Lincoln Academy in Newcastle is around 13 miles away. Here, students can join over 40 clubs, including the outing club, which takes students on hiking, skiing and rafting trips.
Amish businesses, general stores and farm stands serve everyday needs
“There is a general store called Sheepscot General that has pretty much anything folks would need,” Patrick says. In addition to groceries and farm-grown produce, the store has a restaurant that serves sandwiches and pizza. Whitefield Market is a nearby gas station that also serves pizza. Farm stands here, like Chase Farm Bakery and Fuzzy Udder, sell locally made foods. “There are a couple of different little Amish stores, and they have some different trades that they can offer and services that are reasonably priced and good quality work,” Swan says. Happy Farm is one of several Amish-owned businesses here, and it offers homemade donuts, pies and quilts. Nearby, Wiscasset has restaurants and locally owned stores, while Augusta is home to national retailers.
Country roads lead to Augusta in less than 30 minutes
Whitefield’s roads are quiet, two-lane or unmarked state and back roads. “You’ve got to be on the lookout for Amish buggies if you’re cruising some of the windy side roads,” Swan says. Augusta is roughly 16 miles away, a drive that takes just under half an hour. Gardiner is slightly closer at 14 miles away, and Wiscasset is a 13-mile drive. MaineGeneral Medical Center's Alfond Center for Health is around 20 miles away, and Togus VA Medical Center is a 12-mile trip. Portland International Jetport is a 59-mile drive. Houses of worship here include St. Denis Catholic Church and Sheepscot Valley Community Church.
Nearby fairs during the summer
Whitefield is near two communities that have popular agricultural fairs each summer. In June, the Pittston Fair is known for its strawberry festival, which includes the Maine Strawberry Pageant and baking competitions. The Windsor Fair, which is the second-largest fair in the state, takes place around Labor Day. Both events include carnival rides, livestock competitions and fair food.
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Written By
Annie Franklin
