Frankfort, Maine Feature

Two of the primary places that are utilized in nearly every town feature here on Maine Features are the library and the historical society. In Frankfort, both are housed in the same building. As you walk up to the door, you might wonder if you’re about to enter a home. The Waldo Peirce (that’s not a typo) Reading Room and Library is the former Robert Treat homestead. The Peirce and Treat families are deeply rooted in Frankfort’s history. Mr. Treat served in the War of 1812 so his house wasn’t built recently.

Old Maine homes are usually treasures, and this is one of them. The architecture is beautiful. Some of the rooms are for the library, one is set up like a little museum, and the upstairs holds the Frankfort historical archives. Librarian Sarah and Historical Society President Bonnie were both present during my visit and wonderfully helpful and kind.

Frankfort is part of Waldo County and can be found between Belfast and Bangor. In 1789 it was incorporated as the 70th town in the Pine Tree State. If that year seems familiar, it might be because George Washington became president a couple months before this Maine milestone.

Back in the 18th century, Frankfort was much bigger than its present boundaries. It included parts of Belfast, Searsport, and Stockton, along with the current towns of Hampden, Prospect, and Winterport!

Two small mountains make up part of Frankfort. Their names are notable. The first is known today as Mount Waldo, but previously was called Mount Misery. An April 1827 letter written by local lawyer Archibald Jones explains: “In 1783, two lads of the names of Stimson and Colson in attempting to pass from the shore to a settlement near Goose Pond got lost and perished in the snow near the high hill in Frankfort, which gave it the name of Mount Misery.”

The second high hill in Frankfort was and is named Mosquito Mountain. According to George Varney (in 1881) it “is an immense mass of granite, and is noted for the number of mosquitoes swarming about it from the stagnant marsh between its base and the river.” (A Gazetteer of the State of Maine). This feature took place in December so I am unable to provide a 21st century update on the intensity level of these bothersome insects, but was informed that the mountain’s granite continues to be quarried.

Granite has been one of the area trademarks for centuries. You can find parts of Frankfort in numerous sites around the state and country. According to the town’s website, the stone was used in the following: “The Washington Monument, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Senate Office Building in Washington D.C., the piers of the Brooklyn Bridge in New York, Fort Knox (when it was built in the late 1800s), Eastern Maine Medical Center, the old Bangor Post Office, and the base of the Paul Bunyan Statue.”

Before leaving Frankfort, I headed over to the spot which caught my attention when passing through on an earlier trip. One of the best parts of Maine (in this Mainer’s opinion) is our local general stores. They are often situated in remote areas and serve a vital role in providing everything from lunch or a grocery staple to a propane tank.

Mandy’s Country Store on the Marsh Stream Road is an iconic example of this town essential. I stopped by to meet Mandy and grab a slice of pizza (it was delicious). There wasn’t much time to chat because this is a happening place with a hubbub of customer traffic. In the short time I was inside, however, I overheard two separate expressions of high praise for the store.

Mandy is the current owner. She followed in the footsteps of Millie Wilson who ran it as the “Wilson’s Country Market” for over three decades. Before Wilson’s, it was [Ray & Ava] “Weaver’s Market,” and on we could go. This little place has a long history of serving the residents of Frankfort and beyond. Mandy is carrying on the tradition and earning a wonderful reputation in the process.

Thank you, Frankfort! You are a good Maine place. I’m heading down the road to the next town on this journey through the whole state. See the completed features on the INDEX page. Stay updated (and get other Maine goodies) by signing up for the newsletter.