KNOX COUNTY
County Offices
62 Union Street
Rockland 207-594-0420
www.knoxcountymaine.gov
Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 508
Rockland 1-800-562-2529
https://www.camdenrockland.com
Major Highways
U.S. Highway 1; Routes 17, 73, 131
Services
Distinguished as the last incorporated county in Maine, Knox County is anchored by the county seat of Rockland — selected by Norman Crampton as the “50th Best Small Town in America.” Penobscot Bay Medical Center in nearby Rockport provides state-of-the-art healthcare for residents of Knox County, offering inpatient and outpatient care; diagnostic, therapeutic and rehabilitative services; patient and community education; and a full-range of specialty services. More than 85 staff physicians ensure a wide spectrum of specialties and sub-specialties. Advanced care is available in The Birthing Center, cancer care center, rehabilitation, day surgery unit, nutritional care, occupational therapy, speech & hearing center, and the Creative Learning and Childcare Center as well as many other specialties.
Area public and private schools provide a first-rate education in Knox County, supported by a network of post-secondary institutions from vocational programs to a major university campus. Artisans College, Coastal Cosmetology, Maine Coast Art Workshops, Maine Photographic Workshops, Mid-Coast School of Technology, Thomaston Center, and the University College of Thomaston provide opportunities for higher education and training close to home. An extension of the University of Maine System, University College at Thomaston offers access to courses, degrees and support services in a number of area communities, including Rockport, Islesboro, Monhegan Island, North Haven, Thorndike, Vinalhaven, and Waldoboro.
Lifestyle
Situated in Mid-coast Maine, beautiful Knox County harmonizes rocky shores with majestic mountains and panoramic hills and valleys. Each one of the 18 municipalities in the county boasts a distinctive flavor and atmosphere, offering everything from breathtaking landscapes to oceanfront living. The Rockland-Thomaston area serves as the gateway to Penobscot Bay, one of the most scenic bodies of water along the East Coast. Scores of islands, historic lighthouses, ferries, serene harbors, and lobster boats create endless post-card scenes.
Wonderful homes, close-knit communities, a bright future, and a proud past characterize the world’s “Lobster Capital.” Rockland’s Maine Lobster Festival has drawn crowds to this area for more than half a century. Resident and tourists alike appreciate the magnificent architecture of downtown Rockland, where fine restaurants, galleries, and shops have made this area the Mid-Coast retail center of Maine. The Wyeth Center and Farnsworth Art Museum, one of the nation’s finest regional art museums, interpret Maine’s role in American art.
Rockland Harbor is home to more windjammers than any other port in the nation, while Thomaston is known for world-class yachts and stately sea captain’s estates. Thomaston also hosts one of the largest Fourth of July celebrations in the Mid-coast region. South of Rockland is Owls Head, noted for its historic lighthouse, Owls Head Transportation Museum, and the Knox County Regional Airport. Birch Point Beach State Park offers an idyllic oasis with a sandy beach framed by a naturally secluded setting. From scenic fishing villages to well-developed urban centers, Knox County offers a home that excels in beauty and livability.
Rockland
Municipal Offices
207-594-0300
www.ci.rockland.me.us
Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 508
Rockland 1-800-562-2529
https://www.camdenrockland.com
Rockland has historically drawn economic strength from the area’s prosperous shipbuilding, commercial fishing, and granite quarrying. As it embraces this diverse and colorful heritage, Rockland’s Main Street has been designated a Historic District. The streets are lined with stunning examples of colonial, Italianate, and Greek Revival architectural grandeur. Intimate restaurants, unique shops, sandy beaches, historic wharves, and scenic footpaths also grace the area.
Rockland is known internationally as the “Lobster Capital of the World.” Over the years, the city has played a significant role in the East Coast’s lobster industry. For more than half a century, Rockland has played host to the famous Maine Lobster Festival.
Rockland is also home to more windjammers than any other port in the nation. When newcomers take the time to discover this colorful and vibrant maritime atmosphere, they invariably explore the many craggy peninsulas, majestic lighthouses, tiny hamlets, and hidden beaches that are scattered throughout Knox County.
Surrounded by picturesque beauty, Rockland’s neighboring communities offer majestic countryside and ocean vistas. To the east are the scenic island communities of Vinalhaven, Matinicus, and North Haven. To the south are the peninsulas of Owls Head, St. George, Cushing/Friendship, and the island of Monhegan; along with the towns of South Thomaston, Tenants Harbor, and Port Clyde. Warren, Union, and Washington lie to the west, and Glen Cove, Rockport, and Camden lie to the north.
Thomaston
Municipal Offices
207-354-6107
www.town.thomaston.me.us
Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 508
Rockland 1-800-562-2529
https://www.camdenrockland.com
Steeped in picturesque maritime tradition, Thomaston is known as “The Town That Went to Sea.” The town gained this nickname because more wooden ocean-going vessels have been constructed in Thomaston than in any other place in the nation. The quaint historic district reflects this legendary heritage. The district is brimming with impressive, beautifully restored homes dating from 1790 to the late 1800s. Almost all of these magnificent buildings have remained as private residences.
In addition, the business section of the village has stayed much the way it appeared in the mid-1800s. In fact, the exteriors of the buildings continue to reflect the architectural appeal of the historic retail shops. The interiors have been modernized to provide a setting that is convenient and contemporary. These structures are enhanced by the town’s tree-lined streets and lush village green that overlooks the St. George River.
Due to the careful restoration and refurbishment of the town’s charming buildings and storefronts, Thomaston offers today’s residents a variety of shopping amenities and services. Along with the careful preservation of its past, Thomaston provides cultural advantages that include museums, bookstores, theater companies, and other cultural groups.
