Birch Island is an island and census-designated place (CDP) in the town of Harpswell, Maine, United States. It is part of the Portland–South Portland–Biddeford, Maine Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Birch Island | |
|---|---|
 Location in Cumberland County and the state of Maine. | |
| Coordinates: 43°49′12″N 70°00′24″W / 43.8200°N 70.0067°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Maine |
| County | Cumberland |
| Town | Harpswell |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| Area code | 207 |
The 43-acre (17 ha) island is believed to be one of Casco Bay's first settlements. Indigenous people traveled along the Androscoggin River to establish summer fishing camps on nearby islands.[1]
Geography
editBirch Island is located in Casco Bay, around 0.36 miles (0.58 km) southeast of the southwestern end of the Harpswell Neck, a long peninsula, extending from Brunswick, which forms the southern bounds of Maquoit Bay.
Little Birch Island is located around 1,950 feet (590 m) northeast of Birch Island.
Norton Preserve
editNorton Preserve, owned by Harpswell Heritage Land Trust and maintained by the Maine Island Trail Association, is located in the northeastern section of the island.[2] It is named for conservationists Helen and Walter Norton.[1][3] Walter died in May 2016, aged 91.[4] Helen owns School House 1913, a restaurant in Harpswell.[5]
Publications
editRichard F. Snow published A History of Birch Island in 1992.[6]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "Birch Island South Preserve". Harpswell Heritage Land Trust. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
- ^ "Helen and Walter Norton Preserve on Birch Island". Harpswell Heritage Land Trust. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
- ^ "Helen Norton". Press Herald. November 24, 2016. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
- ^ "Walter Norton Obituary (1925 - 2016) - Portland, ME - Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram". Legacy.com. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
- ^ Oliver, J. W. (December 20, 2023). "Future of School House 1913 restaurant uncertain after fire". The Harpswell Anchor. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
- ^ Snow, Richard F. (1992). A History of Birch Island, Casco Bay, Maine: Richard F. Snow. S'no Hill Publications.
External links
edit- Birch Island Harvey Property: Inventory of Natural Resources & Management Recommendations – Maine Island Ecologists, April 2015