Spruce Head, Maine facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Spruce Head, Maine
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Village
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 Spruce Head, Maine
Location in Maine
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| Country | United States |
| State | Maine |
| County | Knox |
| Elevation | 39 ft (12 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
04859
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| Area code(s) | 207 |
| GNIS feature ID | 576134 |
Spruce Head is a small village in Knox County, Maine, United States. It's not a separate town but part of larger areas. This community is located right on Penobscot Bay. It is about 6.5 miles (10.5 km) south of Rockland. Spruce Head has its own post office with ZIP code 04859. This post office first opened its doors on March 4, 1880.
Contents
About Spruce Head Village
The village of Spruce Head is unique because it sits in two different towns. Part of it is in South Thomaston, and the other part is in St. George. A bridge connects the village to Sprucehead Island. This island is entirely within the town of South Thomaston.
Islands and Harbors
Sprucehead Island faces the Muscle Ridge Islands to the east. There is a clear channel between them where boats can easily pass. Seal Harbor is a very safe place for boats to anchor. It is protected by the shores of Sprucehead Island, Patten Point, Rackliff Island, Norton Island, and Whitehead Island.
Community Buildings
The heart of Spruce Head village includes a few important spots. These are the post office, the Spruce Head Community Church, and the Spruce Head Community Hall. The church was built in the late 1800s. The community hall was built in 1923.
Local Facilities
Next to the community hall, there is a boatyard. This boatyard helps local fishermen and people with pleasure boats. They can launch, recover, and store their boats here.
Rackliff Island is also part of the Spruce Head area. You can reach it from the mainland by a causeway, which is like a raised road over water. Many families live on Rackliff Island. It is located within the town of St. George.
Clark Island Area
Another small part of Spruce Head is found along Clark Island Road. This area is on the western shore of Wheeler Bay. It is also within the town of St. George. From here, you can get to the Clark Island Preserve. This preserve is a special natural area managed by the Maine Coast Heritage Trust. It is also where the Hurricane Island Outward Bound School has its main office.
Famous Residents
Spruce Head was the childhood home of Wilbert Snow. He was a poet and later became the Governor of Connecticut. Wilbert Snow was born on Whitehead Island. He is buried in the Ocean View Cemetery in Spruce Head.
Fishing and Lobster Industry
Spruce Head is a very active fishing community. It is especially known for its lobster fishing.
Lobster Fishing Fleet
The island is home to many lobster boats. These boats go out to catch lobsters every day. There are also several businesses that buy and sell lobsters.
Famous Lobster Shack
You can find a popular lobster shack in Spruce Head. In 2017, Yankee Magazine said it had the best lobster roll in all of Maine!
Fisherman's Co-op
The Spruce Head Fisherman's Co-op is a big deal in Maine. It is the third largest fishing cooperative in the state. A cooperative is a group of people who work together for a common goal.
Economic Impact
In 2023, the fishing fleet from Spruce Head brought in a lot of money. Their catches were worth $20.82 million. This was the fifth highest value for any fishing fleet in Maine that year.
