Beyond the South End

The Other Plymouth Colony,

Pemaquid, Maine

Did you know that there is a Colonial historic site in Maine that existed at the same time as the Plymouth Colony? It is known as Colonial Pemaquid State Historic Site and was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1993. Of all the times I’ve taken a day trip down to Pemaquid Point to watch the water boom up over the ledges, never did I know such a site existed. Now that I’ve discovered it, I plan to visit when I’m home.

The archeological site includes 17 contributing sites, 2 non-contributing buildings and 1 non-contributing site. It also includes excavations of 17^th and 18^th century village buildings, a museum with artifacts found on the site, including musket balls, coins, and pottery; and Fort William Henry, a 20^th century reconstruction of the late 17^th century fort.

I could tell you the story of this colony in Maine, but there is a site online that does it so much better. Please look at the slide show and other video of the whole development at:

www.friendsofcolonialpemaquid.org/PNewArchaelogy.html

I will tell you that Captain John Smith visited this area before he was ever at the Plymouth Colony.

The area was long an area of strife, notably the two wars called King Phillip’s War and King William’s War. King Phillip’s War, in 1676 involved the attack and burning of English settlements all up the coast, including Pemaquid, by native Indians. These raids resulted in a wooden defense called Fort Charles being built.

King William’s War, including the Siege of Pemaquid, of 1689, was the first of four French and Indian Wars. During this war, Fort Charles was destroyed by the French from Castine, Maine. Inhabitants were killed or taken prisoner.

During the American Revolution, Fort William Henry was dismantled to prevent it from coming into the hands of the British and becoming a stronghold against Pemaquid inhabitants. Here is a post card picture of the rebuilt tower of the fort which was rededicated, I believe at the same time as the Old Fort House on July 22, 1909. Here are pictures of both of those dedications. The photographer is unknown but they both come from postcards by Hugh C. Leighton.

Wikipedia has a wonderful history of these wars which is a good read if you are interested.

Here are more pictures from the site:

 

Pemaquid Fort Rock…photographer unknown, from a post card

 by Hugh C. Leighton

 

 Look familiar? Maine’s own “Plymouth Rock?”

 

 

Here’s a picture of the Archaelogical site.

 

More pictures from this National Historical Site:

 

Leighton Post Card…the Old Fort House at its dedication July 22, 1909

 

Leighton Post Card…Fort William Henry

 

 

What about the Vikings?

There is no definite true account of the existence of Vikings who came long before this Colonial Village was established in 1607. Some say they came to fish…the same reason the Colonials came.

A story in the Sun Journal in Lewiston for August 14, 1967 called “Viking Voyage to Maine and Viking Village near Pemaquid Proposed,” by Eugene C. Peterson, news director of radio station WDEA, asked Maine’s Governor Curtis to recreate the possible ocean crossing of the Vikings in the time of North American pre-history. He also proposed the building of a Viking village near Pemaquid. Both proposals were to help celebrate the 150^th anniversary of Maine’s statehood.

Nothing came of the proposal, however, there are several businesses in Pemaquid who use “Viking” in their name.

Evidence of Vikings

Some possible evidence exists that there were indeed Vikings about in the New England area in pre-Colonial times. First of all a sixth of the U.S. population is Scandinavian. All you need do is open a phone book for the coastal area of Maine to see that is a true statement.

Runes have also been found in several places in Massachusetts.  A Rune is any of the characters in the alphabets that were used in ancient times by people of Northern Europe. Such inscriptions have been found along the shores in several places in Massachusetts and also in Popham Beach, Maine.

 

Here’s an example of a rune. Many of they have been found on rocks. Can you translate this one for me?

Here’s a recent picture of Pemaquid ledges with the lighthouse. Can you imagine those Vikings in an open long boat trying to navigate the treacherous waters off these cliffs?

 

 

The existence of Vikings in Maine continues to be investigated. The fact is that Maine not only has a Colonial history, but a possible Viking history too.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving everyone and thanks for listening.