Skowhegan

The town of Skowhegan, settled in 1773, is located at the junction of Route 2 and Route 201 along the scenic Kennebec River.  Skowhegan’s commercial and industrial development has always revolved around the powerful river gorge that runs through the charming downtown area.

Today Skowhegan is an active business area home to modern businesses that include SAPPI Fine Paper, Howard P. Fairfield, the Redington-Fairview General Hospital and the New Balance Shoe Company.

The town's annual summer tradition dating back to 1818 is the Skowhegan State Fair. The fair features carnival rides, musical entertainment, harness racing and a demolition derby.

Skowhegan is nationally known as the home of Senator Margaret Chase Smith, the first woman U.S. Senator. The Margaret Chase Smith Library on Norridgewock Avenue houses the Senator’s memorabilia and serves as a museum and educational center on her life and career.

Located off Route 2, Coburn Park features over 200 different species of trees, pond and flower gardens. Concerts are held in the bandstand and gazebo during the summer. The nearby 320-acre Lake George Regional Park is open year round for swimming, fishing and hiking. Park facilities include a public boat launch, playing fields and picnic areas.

Two unique bridges are part of Skowhegan's history. The Walking Bridge runs between the North Side and South Side of town and was originally a railroad bridge that was converted into a walking bridge. The Swinging Bridge, originally a wire footbridge, spans the South Channel of the Kennebec River from Skowhegan Island to Alder Street. Constructed in 1883, the bridge has been damaged or destroyed by four different floods, but the town has continued to maintain this popular tourist attraction.

Other local attractions include the Skowhegan Drive-in movie theatre, Ken’s Bowling Center and Gifford’s Ice Cream and Miniature Golf Course.