Birch Island, Maine Explained

Official Name:Birch Island
Settlement Type:Census-designated place
Mapsize:260px
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:United States
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Name1:Maine
Subdivision Type2:County
Subdivision Name2:Cumberland
Subdivision Type3:Town
Subdivision Name3:Harpswell
Unit Pref:Imperial
Timezone:Eastern (EST)
Utc Offset:-5
Timezone Dst:EDT
Utc Offset Dst:-4
Coordinates:43.82°N -70.0067°W
Area Code:207

Birch Island is an island and census-designated place (CDP) in the town of Harpswell, Maine, United States. It is part of the Portland - South Portland - Biddeford, Maine Metropolitan Statistical Area.

The 43acres island is believed to be one of Casco Bay's first settlements. Indigenous people traveled along the Androscoggin River to establish summer fishing camps on nearby islands.[1]

Geography

Birch Island is located in Casco Bay, around southeast of the southwestern end of the Harpswell Neck, a long peninsula, extending from Brunswick, which forms the southern bounds of Maquoit Bay.

Little Birch Island is located around northeast of Birch Island.

Norton Preserve

Norton Preserve, owned by Harpswell Heritage Land Trust and maintained by the Maine Island Trail Association, is located in the northeastern section of the island.[2] It is named for conservationists Helen and Walter Norton.[3] Walter died in May 2016, aged 91.[4] Helen owns School House 1913, a restaurant in Harpswell.[5]

Publications

Richard F. Snow published A History of Birch Island in 1992.[6]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Birch Island South Preserve . 2024-06-29 . Harpswell Heritage Land Trust . en-US.
  2. Web site: Helen and Walter Norton Preserve on Birch Island . 2024-06-29 . Harpswell Heritage Land Trust . en-US.
  3. Web site: 2016-11-24 . Helen Norton . 2024-06-29 . Press Herald.
  4. Web site: Walter Norton Obituary (1925 - 2016) - Portland, ME - Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram . 2024-06-29 . Legacy.com.
  5. Web site: Oliver . J. W. . 2023-12-20 . Future of School House 1913 restaurant uncertain after fire . 2024-06-29 . The Harpswell Anchor . en-US.
  6. Book: Snow, Richard F. . A History of Birch Island, Casco Bay, Maine: Richard F. Snow . 1992 . S'no Hill Publications . en.