Brooklin, Maine

Brooklin, Maine. Brooklin is a coastal town located on the Blue Hill Peninsula within Hancock County, Maine. Incorporated in 1849, it is renowned for its maritime heritage, boatbuilding tradition, and as a summer retreat for notable artists and writers. The town encompasses several villages and islands, offering a landscape of rugged shoreline, dense forests, and protected harbors facing the Atlantic Ocean.

History

The area was originally part of a larger land grant from the Massachusetts General Court and was first settled by Europeans in the 1760s, with early industries including lumbering and farming. For much of its early history, the community was known as Naskeag, a name derived from the indigenous Abenaki people. The town formally separated from Sedgwick, Maine and was incorporated by the Maine Legislature in 1849, adopting the name Brooklin. Its economy became deeply tied to the sea, with a focus on shipbuilding, lobstering, and coastal trading. The 20th century saw the rise of its world-famous wooden boatbuilding yards, such as the Brooklin Boat Yard, attracting craftsmen and sailors from around the globe. The town also became a quiet haven for intellectuals, including the poet E.B. White, who chronicled rural life here in essays for The New Yorker.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 33.15 square miles, of which 16.90 square miles is land and 16.25 square miles is water. Brooklin's geography is defined by its extensive coastline along Penobscot Bay and Jericho Bay, featuring numerous coves, inlets, and prominent points like Naskeag Point. The territory includes several islands, such as Great Spruce Head Island and Babson Island. The interior is characterized by the Bucksport Formation bedrock, rolling hills, and woodlands, with significant water bodies including Allen Cove and Center Harbor. The town is traversed by Maine State Route 175 and is situated near Deer Isle and the city of Blue Hill, Maine.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 824, representing a slight decrease from previous decades. The population density is approximately 48 people per square mile. The racial makeup is predominantly non-Hispanic white, with small percentages identifying with other races or as multiracial. The median age in the town is significantly higher than the national average, reflecting its status as a retirement and seasonal community. A substantial portion of the housing stock consists of seasonal or vacation homes. Educational attainment levels are high, with a significant percentage of residents holding a bachelor's degree or higher, influenced by the presence of professionals, artists, and academics.

Government

Brooklin operates under the town meeting form of government, an annual assembly where registered voters decide on budgets and local ordinances. An elected three-member Board of Selectmen handles daily administrative duties. The town is part of Maine's 2nd congressional district and is represented in the Maine Senate and Maine House of Representatives. Local services include a volunteer fire department, a town office, and a public library. For regional matters, it collaborates with the Maine Municipal Association and the Hancock County commission. Brooklin is also part of the Union 93 school district for secondary education, sending students to George Stevens Academy in Blue Hill, Maine.

Notable people

The town has been home or a significant retreat for many distinguished individuals. Author and essayist E. B. White lived here permanently and wrote much of his later work, including the classic Charlotte's Web. Noted painter and illustrator Dahlov Ipcar maintained a home and studio in Brooklin for decades. Renowned photographer and filmmaker John Cohen was a longtime resident. Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Robert P. T. Coffin spent summers here. Famed naval architect Joel White, son of E.B. White, founded the Brooklin Boat Yard and was a central figure in modern wooden boat design. Other residents have included writer and editor Roger Angell and artist William Thon.

In popular culture

Brooklin's serene landscape and maritime culture have made it a setting and inspiration for various creative works. E. B. White's collections of essays, such as One Man's Meat, vividly depict life on his Brooklin saltwater farm. The town and its boatbuilding community are frequently featured in magazines like WoodenBoat and Sail. Scenes for the television series Murder, She Wrote, set in the fictional Cabot Cove, Maine, were occasionally filmed in the region, drawing on the area's coastal aesthetic. The annual WoodenBoat Show held at the WoodenBoat Publications campus attracts international visitors and has been covered by media outlets including The New York Times and CBS News.