Kennebunkport
A seacoast destination since the late 1800s. Kennebunkport has the charm and allure that attracts visitors and residents alike. The Port includes the fishing village of Cape Porpoise and the beach community of Goose Rocks Beach.

Lying along North and Maine streets, Ocean Avenue, and intersecting streets, Kennebunkport's historic district provides one of the richest samples of eighteenth, nineteenth, and early twentieth century architecture to be found in Maine. In addition, the houses and other buildings are well preserved and maintained, so that the attractiveness of the streetscapes combined with the sense of historical time and place create a visual experience of richness and beauty.

Although the earliest settlement in the town centered about Cape Porpoise Harbor in the 1620s, the community center had moved to the banks of the Kennebunk River by the later eighteenth century. This resulted from the dramatic growth of maritime activity, particularly after the Revolution, and the desirability of river locations for shipyards and accompanying businesses.

The architecture of the town dates from these years, starting with post-Colonial and Federal houses of large proportions, followed in turn by Greek Revival, Italianate and Mansard residences, reflecting continuing prosperity throughout the nineteenth century. The turn of the century brought with it the influx of summer residents and vacationers, whose impact on the community resulted in an economic renewal just as the shipbuilding industry was seeing its last days at the turn of the century.

Today, Kennebunkport again thrives as a summer resort and a sought after residential community, preserving its historical architecture and charm.

Link: The Kennebunkport Historical Society