History of Islesborough, Maine
From
A Gazetteer of the
State of Maine
By Geo. J. Varney
Published by B. B. Russell, 57 Cornhill,
Boston 1886
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Islesborough consists of one long island and several
small ones in Penobscot Bay,. Waldo County. The largest of these, formerly known as "Long Island," is
11 miles in length, and three miles in width in the widest part, but scarcely more thaii three rods in the narrowest,
which is at the middle. The other islands are Sevenhundred-acre Island, Warren's, Spruce, Ensign, Job's, Lime,
Lasell's, Mark, Saddle, Mouse, and several others smaller. The entire land area is about 6,000 acres. Turtle's
Head is a long promontory at the north. The harbors are Sabbath Day Harbor and Bounty Cove, on the eastern side;
Seal Harbor, Crow Cove, on the western side; and Gilkey's Harbor on the south-western side. At the end of the neck
which forms the north-western side of the island, is Gilkey's Harbor Light. The rocks are for the most party slaty
schists. The soil is fair, and, with the abundant dressing from shore and stable, yields well in hay and potatoes,
which are the crops chiefly cultivated. Spruce and fir make up the bulk of the scanty forests. The piineipal body
of fresh-water pond is Meadow Pond, having an area of about 12 acres. It lies about onethird of a mile from the
seashore, its surface being 60 feet higher, and its outlet furnishes three good water-powers. There are also fine
opportunities to make use of tide-power. The inhabitants are hardy, industrious, and intelligent. Fishing and navigation
are the principal occupations of the inhabitants. In 1855, 153 vessels sailed from Islesborough, many of which
were owned in the town,-where, also, most of the masters resided. |
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