Harpwell Maine Real Estate

Overview of Harpswell Maine

Harpswell encompasses a conglomerate of coastal peninsulas and scattered islands along the North Atlantic. The area was most appealing among its first settlers due to its convenient portage on Casco Bay. Following much conflict with Native American tribes, Harpswell became incorporated in 1758 as a major fishing and farming community. Today, fishing boats and buoys still bob in cozy inlets, as residents and visitors relax along the sea. Harpswell has many options for real estate either by the water, on one of its islands, or inland among the farmland.

Harpswell is located just south of Brunswick and just 40 miles from Portland and the Greater Portland Area

That there are 150 miles of shoreline on Harpswell attests to its economic base in the fishing industry and its attraction to visitors who love boating, swimming, and fishing. It is a sailor's paradise. Robert Carter, cruising in Casco Bay way back in 1858, described the Bay as having "many bold and picturesque headlands and peninsulas so that scarcely anywhere else in the world can you find a more varied or more lovely commingling of land and water." Today's visitor has a wealth of choices. There are B&Bs and inns, some in wonderful historic homes. There are numerous restaurants for dining, often on lobsters and clams fresh from the waters of the Bay.

The Native Americans who originally inhabited Harpswell were part of the Abenaki. The Abenaki name for Harpswell Neck, then called West Harpswell, was Merriconeag or "quick carrying place", a reference to the narrow peninsula's easy portage. The Abenaki name for Great Island was Erascohegan or Sebascodiggin, which became by the late 1800s Sebascodegan Island. About 1659 Major Nicholas Shapleigh of Kittery, Maine, bought Merriconeag and Sebascodegan Island from the Abenaki, but because of Indian attacks, attempts to settle the area were abandoned until after Dummer's War. The Treaty of 1725 brought a truce, and by 1731 many settlers had returned.

In 1758 the town was incorporated by the Massachusetts General Court and named for Harpswell in Lincolnshire, England. Industries included farming and some shipbuilding, but fishing brought considerable profit. Because of its scenic beauty, Harpswell is today a favorite with artists and tourists. The Bailey Island Bridge is an Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.

Some other great regional neighborhoods to find good value in your real estate search might be the Cumberland or Real Estate in Bath. Harpswell is a vibrant and exciting community thus if not the right hopefully one of these other communities will be.

Harpswell Historical Housing Statistics

Harpswell’s terrain varies from coastal cliffs to inland pastures, making it a great place to start looking for real estate. Whether you looking for a palatial ocean home, a cozy shanty, or a classic New England farmhouse, MyMaineProperty.com has an option for you. Browse some of the best prices in the state today! Relocating to Harpswell is simple with the aid our our new Relocation Section.

The Harpswell, Maine Real Estate market for residential real estate saw a total of 67 residential homes and condos sell in 2012 compared with 75 in 2011. The median sales price in 2012 was $394,000 compared with $366,000 in 2011 shows that the real estate market has become quite stable.

Transaction Volume

Pricing

Harpswell Schools and Education Overview

Harpswell is a part of Administrative District 75, which also includes Bowdoin, Bowdoinham and Topsham.

"The four communities of Maine School Administrative District No. 75 are united in our dedication to develop confident, life-long learners. It is our mission to work together to ensure a community of fluent learners, critical thinkers and creative contributors to our society."

Useful School Links

• Administrative District 75 Website
• Mt. Ararat High School
• Mt. Ararat Middle School
• Bowdoin Central School
• Bowdoinham Community School
• Harpswell Community School
• Williams-Cone School
• Woodside Elementary School

Recreation in Harpswell, ME

There are historic and scenic sites, boats for rent and fishing and sailing charters. There is a wealth of natural beauty from the dramatic Giant Steps on Bailey, to the sweeping views of Harpswell Sound from Harpswell Neck along with intriguing working harbors. Don't forget to consider a fall visit; our changing foliage colors are a very special treat.

Bailey Island is not just a quintessential example of Maine’s coast; it’s also curious place with an extensive history. Once owned by a free-slave by the name of William Black, the island was rumored to be subsequently sold to Reverend Timothy Bailey for a pound of tobacco and a gallon of rum (though this story is difficult to corroborate). Bailey Island represents that which is Coastal Maine. Lobster boats enter the harbor swarmed by squawking gulls as people climb the rockbound coast line to harvest mussels and clams. Those with real estate on Bailey Island certainly own a little piece of heaven.

• Bailey Island
• Wolfe’s Neck State Park
• Holbrook Lobster Grille and Snack Bar