Mattawamkeag is the location of an ancient Indian Village which borrowed its
name from the river at whose mouth it is located. The Mattawamkeag River
is the largest eastern branch of the Penobscot River. Its entrance is
clearly distinguishable in low water by large white gravel bar, hence the
word is most often translated as "A River with Many Rocks at It's Mouth." The
name was later translated to the town.
Mattawamkeag, the town, was incorporated in 1860. It was formerly known
as Township No. 1 East Indian Purchase. White men
came in about 1829 when Col Stanley built a log cabin or shanty for the
accomodation of men engaged in hauling supplies for the lumbermen over the
frozen roads of Penobscot ice. It was closed up during the summer season and
Stanley soon left for Houlton after selling his place to Milliken and John
Rollins. In 1829 the United State government started the Military Road to
Houlton and completed it as far as Mattawamkeag that year. In 1830 Capt.
George Waite, who had been hauling supplies to lumbermen, bought out Milliken
and John Rollins. George Waite purchased some land and built a frame house
a little farther above the creek. In 1830 James Penley and George Wallace of Old Town erected a hotel on the
site of the early Mattawamkeag stagehouse, then sold it to Thomas Pratt of Old
Town; perhaps Ira Wadleigh owned an interest in it. In 1835 only 2 families remained, George Waite, farmer, hotel owner and
owner of teams, and James Thompson, carrier of the Bangor and Houlton mail,
probably the first to carry mail on the Bangor and Houlton Road, who built
the house know as the McDonald house, just north of Libbey and Stratton store.
Henry David Thoreau passed through Mattawamkeag in 1847 where the Houlton
stagecoach stopped. Here Throeau found a "substantial bridge" over the
Mattawamkeag River.
Mattawamkeag Cemetery
Martin Cemetery
Pine Tree Lodge - Under new Construction