Saint George River facts for kids

The Saint George River is a river located in the state of Maine, United States. It flows through a special area that includes mountains, the sea coast, lakes, and small water channels affected by tides. The river's basin, which is the land area that drains water into the river, covers about 225 square miles.

The Saint George River starts from Saint George Lake in Liberty. From there, it winds its way south for about 45 miles to Thomaston. In Thomaston, the river flows into an estuary, which is a place where the river meets the sea and fresh water mixes with salt water. The estuary then stretches about 12 miles southwest to Muscongus Bay. This part of the river forms the border between the towns of Cushing and St. George.

Ancient People of the Saint George River

Who Were the Paleo-Indians?

The first people to live in the Saint George River area were called Paleo-Indians. They arrived around 7,300 BCE, which is more than 9,000 years ago! We don't know much about their daily lives in this specific region.

The Wawenock Tribe

When Europeans first arrived in 1605, the Wawenock (also known as Walinakiak) people lived along the banks of the Saint George River. The Wawenock were one of four related tribes that belonged to the larger Abenaki group. These tribes lived in central and southeastern Maine. The name Walinakiak means "People of the bays."

In the year 1500, there were about 10,000 Wawenock people. However, many of them sadly died from a series of sicknesses that spread during the late 1500s and through the 1600s. By the end of the American Revolution, their population had dropped to about 1,000 people.

In 1605, Captain Weymouth captured two members of the Wawenock tribe. One of them was later returned from England in 1607 by the Plymouth Company.

Wawenock Life and Food

The Wawenock people living along the Saint George River grew their own food, including pumpkins, maize (corn), and beans. They also caught fish, collected shellfish, and hunted wild animals for food.

There is a very large pile of shellfish shells, called a midden, left by the Wawenock people in Damariscotta. This midden is about 2,200 years old! Captain Weymouth saw this large shell pile when he explored the area in 1605.

European Explorers and Settlers

First European Visit

The first time Europeans officially recorded landing near the Saint George River was on May 17, 1605. George Weymouth, who was the captain of a ship called the Archangel, landed on Monhegan Island. This island is located near the lower part of the Saint George River estuary.

On June 11, 1605, Captain Weymouth led a trip from Monhegan Island. During this trip, he found what he called "a most excellent river." He decided to name this river the Saint George.

Early Attempts at Settlement

In 1606 and 1607, the Plymouth Company sent ships to the area to try and start colonies. However, the settlers who came to the Popham Colony and those who settled along the Kennebec River went back to England in 1608. It would be 127 years before Europeans successfully settled permanently along the Saint George River.

In 1630, John Leverett from Boston sent five traders to set up a trading post in the Saint George estuary. This post was about 5 miles below where the tide ended. The trading post lasted for several years but was eventually destroyed during one of the many conflicts with Native American tribes by 1650.

Permanent European Homes

In 1735, Samuel Waldo of Boston bought most of the land at the mouth of the Saint George River. He encouraged 35 families to move to the area. This led to the creation of the first lasting European settlement on the river, which is now known as St. George. By 1760, about 175 families were living along the river's estuary.