Discover Ellsworth Maine

Gateway to Acadia National Park

Ellsworth Maine is a small city that serves as the closest gateway to Acadia National Park in Maine. It has a rich history and cultural heritage all its own.

Most people who visit Acadia will see Ellsworth primarily as a means to an end, the last large town/city before you reach Mount Desert Island. And it is that... but if you have the time, it can be much more.

Ellsworth's population was around 6456 as of the 2000 census, and comprises approximately 93.8 square miles. The city was incorporated in 1800, after being inhabited originally by Penobscot and Passamaquoddy Native American Tribes. The first recorded settlers were French and the area was fought over during the French and Indian Wars in the mid-1700s.

Ellsworth Maine is situated on Union River and was once an important shipbuilding port. The first schooner in city was built in 1773. However, Ellsworth ceased to be shipping center after Great Flood of 1923.

Today, Ellsworth is the county seat and trading, banking, and dining center of Hancock County. Day tours available starting at Ellsworth City Hall (http://www.ellsworthchamber.org/visit/visit_daytours.shtml)

Ellsworth Maine is a 30 minute drive from Bar Harbor. It's a straight shot down Route 3. Whenever we visit Acadia, we stop first in Ellsworth to do our grocery shopping, as there are several large, modern grocery stores there, as opposed to Bar Harbor, which has a rather tiny one with limited selection.

We also have gone back out to Ellsworth to see movies or shop a bit on a rainy day. Other sites to see include:

• Woodlawn Museum
• Ellsworth Public Library
• Old Hancock County Jail
• Stanwood Homestead Museum
• Birdsacre Sanctuary
• Congregational Church
• Ellsworth City Hall
• Agassiz Outcrop

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