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feet up one of the towers to the tallest public
bridge observatory in the world.
See & Do Sampler: The South Branch of the
Marsh River begins in Prospect, offering canoe-
ists easy access to the Penobscot River. Fort
Knox and the Observatory are worth a long
day's visit anytime, and the fort hosts special
events throughout the year, including psychic
and medieval fairs, a Halloween haunted house,
and battle reenactments.
SEARSMONT
· www.searsmont.com
11 miles southwest of Belfast on Rte. 173
Settled around 1780, Searsmont was called
Fraternity Village in Ben Ames Williams's 1949
novel of that name. The town recently built a
new community building that houses town
offices, the historical society, community meet-
ing rooms, and a fine public library, which offers
rotating art shows and children's programming
year-round. Heavily wooded, it offers many
opportunities for outdoor recreation.
See & Do Sampler: Quantabacook Lake has
good fishing and a boat launch off Route 3. A
whitewater canoe race occurs annually on the
St. George River. There are hiking and cross-
country ski trails in the Gibson Preserve off
Route 173/Ripley Road and the Georges River
Canal Path and Trail. After a workout on the
trails, head to the Olde Mill Diner on Route
3 for good homemade food or a pizza at the
Fraternity Village Store. On the New England
Road near the center of the village, antique
motor vehicle renovator Antique Express offers
an open house every spring--a great opportu-
nity to see fine classic cars.
SEARSPORT
· www.searsportme.net/index.php
6 miles north of Belfast on Rte. 1
Settled in the late 18th century, Searsport's
early history is filled with shipbuilding and
shipping. Once home to 11 shipyards, it's
famous for its mid-19th-century sea captains
and the treasures they brought back from the
China Trade--much of which can be found at
the Penobscot Marine Museum's 12 historical
buildings. There may be some treasures awaiting
you at one of the flea markets or antique dealers
that line Route 1 from Searsport to Belfast.
See & Do Sampler: If you choose to visit by
boat, the town wharf provides plenty of access.
Moose Point State Park, the Penobscot Marine
Museum, and Sears Island are not to be missed.
Sears Island is one of the largest uninhabited
islands on the East Coast and is accessible by
causeway just north of town. Campers can stay
at Searsport Shores Campground and kayak on
the bay. Check out the town's Fling into Fall
Festival or celebrate a Victorian Christmas at
one of the historic bed-and-breakfasts.
STOCKTON SPRINGS
www.stocktonsprings.org
10 miles north of Belfast on Rte. 1
Stockton Springs is located on the scenic
Penobscot River, halfway between Belfast and
Bucksport. In the 1800s, the town was a ship-
building center with one of the longest wooden
piers in the world. By the early 1900s the con-
nection of the harbor with railroad facilities had
created a flourishing import-export business.
Lobster Pose
Belfast