Sunset over Keoka Lake in Waterford
Waterford, Maine, certainly has plenty of water to ford, including Keoka Lake and Five Kezars, Papoose, McWain, Bear, Duck, and Little Moose Ponds. Located along Routes 35, 37 and 118, the villages of Waterford are nestled in the rolling hills of western Maine.
Traditional white clapboard houses, all of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, are centered around a town common in historic Waterford Flat. the quaint center of Waterford. One such house is the Lake House, which in 1847 was known as Shattuck’s Hygienic Institution, “Maine Hygienic Institute for Ladies.” The Lake House Inn is one of the oldest inns in Maine and is renowned for its superb dinners. Another house on the village green was home to Artemus Ward, pen name of Charles Farrar Browne, a favorite author of Abraham Lincoln and Mark Twain’s mentor.
While you are in this quintessential New England setting, step into the Waterford Library, designed by John Calvin Stevens and son, John Howard Stevens. Or envision the ladies sitting on one side of the room facing their men on the other side during town meeting at the Old Town Office and Meeting Hall. Of course, the ladies were not allowed to vote and had to keep quiet–surely an impossible task.
The lakes, mountains, country lanes and rolling terrain of Waterford offer breathtaking natural beauty.
Bear Pond is located only a mile and a half from Waterford Flats. The pond is surrounded by Bear Mountain, Hawk Mountain and Mount Tir’em, which provide a magical backdrop for a relaxing vacation.
Camp Wigwam, a summer camp for boys, sits among a pine grove and hugs the northwestern shoreline, while Bear Mountain Inn is set on 52 acres of the northeastern shoreline.
McWain Pond, known formally as Long Pond, it is approximately 450 acres and has no public access. At 3 1/2 miles long, it’s perfect for boating, water skiing and swimming. Fishing too! The spring-fed pond contains large and small mouth bass, smelt, sunfish and blue gills.
The shoreline of McWain Pond is home to two summer camps. Birch Rock is a small residential camp for boys. Camp Waziyatah is a co-ed residential camp. Disney filmed the TV show “Bug Juice” at Camp Wazi.
Spend any amount of time on lakefront property in Waterford and you’ll certainly refresh your spirit. Fish, bird watch, kayak or canoe, tube, waterski, and stargaze. Hiking trails plus rock and ice climbing opportunities await on the surrounding mountains.
Waterford Town Office, 366 Valley Road, Waterford 04088
www.waterfordme.org, 207.583.4403, fax: 207.583.6433
Incorporated 1797
Square miles: 49.2
Population: 1,445
2010 Tax Rate: $12.75/thousand
Fire/Police/Ambulance: 911
Non-emergency—Stoneham Rescue: 207.583.2523
Oxford County Sheriff: 207.743.9554 or 800.733.1421
Waterford Library: 207.583.2050
Waterford Memorial School: 207.583.4418
MSAD 17, Oxford Hills School District: 207.743.8972
Boat Launches: Keoka Lake, Bear Pond, Five Kezar Ponds (rough access), Crooked River
Public Beach: Keoka Lake (residents only)
Playgrounds: Werner Park, Sandlot Ball Field, Waterford Elementary School*
Picnic Area: Crooked River Rest Area
*Not available during school hours