It seems almost inconceivable that we would still be creating "new" towns, right?  Our nation is nearly 250 years old and we have built towns and cities in all four corners of the United States, especially here in Maine!

The oldest European settlement (now American town) in the state is Kittery.  And for those who do not know, Kittery was first settled in 1623.  Yes, nearly 200 years before the State of Maine became the State of Maine!

If you are familiar with the history of our state, you know that most of our towns and cities are a couple of hundred years old.  Many were incorporated just before or just after the Revolutionary War.

So is it possible that we could still be creating new towns and cities?  Yep!

According to the town's website, the newest (youngest) town in Maine is Chebeague Island.  Located off the coast of Falmouth, Maine, the island used to be a part of Cumberland.

But how young is it?  According to the website, the island became its own community on July 1, 2007.  At the time of the writing of this article, it is less than 16 years old!

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Even though the name of the town is Chebeague Island, the municipality is actually made up of seventeen different islands of varying sizes.  However, it is important to note that only Great Chebeague and Hope are occupied year-round.

The website says, in part:

Located in Casco Bay off Portland, the Town is comprised of seventeen islands and their adjacent waters.  Great Chebeague, the largest island in the town, has a long history of habitation ranging from thousands of years of contact with Native Americans to several centuries of settlement by folks descended from the early New England settlers.

As of the 2020 census, the town only had a year round population of just under 400.  Sounds like the kind of place where Stephen King would set a novel, doesn't it?

Have you ever been here?  What is your favorite small town in Maine?  Let us know by sending a message to use through our app.

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