The History of Ogunquit: Beautiful Place by the Sea

The word Ogunquit in the Abenaki language literally means “a beautiful place by the sea” and we couldn’t agree more. If you’re curious to learn even more about our beloved town’s origins, then you’ve come to the right place. Here are five things to know about the history of Ogunquit, Maine.

1. The city was discovered by artists and soon after, the Ogunquit Artists Colony was founded in 1888. The historic Ogunquit Playhouse still remains here to this day and has had quite the reel of productions there. Many of the productions featured in the playhouse have gained national and international recognition and the playhouse has been deemed as a structure of National Significance on the National Register of Historic Places.
   
2. Ogunquit was incorporated on its own in 1980. Prior to that, it was a portion of the town of Wells but stood as a village of its own with a highway, sewer services as well as police and fire departments. From the beginning, the town has welcomed visits from creative professionals such as artists and photographers as well as masters of the sea including fishermen and sailors.
   
3. Perkins Cove, a 3-mile barrier of sand and dunes that is connected to the mainland by the most photographed drawbridge in Maine, became a place where fishermen and artists would sell their trades after the Artist colony was formed. Eventually, seaside inns and hotels had to be built to help appeal to and accommodate summer crowds. If you’re in town for a visit, then we highly recommend taking a walk along the manual draw footbridge where the harbormaster will help you enter one of the most beautiful harbors in all of Maine!
   
4. The beautiful Marginal Way was donated as a gift by Josiah Chase of York and is preserved to protect the coast line’s beauty. This 1.25-mile paved walkway is frequented by many photographers and painters, as the landscape here is truly breathtaking to capture. Take a walk along the harbor and visit the beach while taking in the beauty of delightful roses along the way, nature’s beautifully designed trees and enough bayberry bushes to go around. Go for a jog, or a brisk walk or take your time to sit and enjoy your visit on any one of the thirty memorial benches placed on the walkway.
   
5. A significant part of Stephen King’s The Stand is set in Ogunquit and in 2016 it was named one of America’s Best Coastal Small Towns in USA’s Today 10 Best Readers’ Choice. So as a visitor here, you’re enjoying the landscape of an award-winning coastal town (and don’t worry, it’s not scary like The Stand)!

If you’re ready to visit this beautiful place by the sea, make sure to book your stay with us at our Ogunquit motel. Come and see this historic coastal town for yourself and take in the beauty of nature’s artwork here with us!