Ahhhh Raymondtown!
No, you won’t find it on a modern map, but the town — now the towns of Casco and Raymond — offers many reasons for a road trip, not the least of which is its interesting history and connections to some of the state’s greatest leaders and writers.
In 1769, Capt. Joseph Dingley had the chance to start up a new settlement in Maine. Dingley was from Duxbury, Mass., and one of the first 15 men to apply for a land grant in Maine, where they could chose any 100-acre parcel. Another New Englander, Dominicus Jordan, set out for Maine at the same time. They arrived together late in the evening, across the lake from where they wanted to be, so had to continue their trip in the morning. Early the next morning Dingley took the only boat across the lake, leaving Jordan behind and claiming the parcel of his choice. As the story goes, this didn’t hurt their friendship any; they collaborated on their work and in 1824 Dingley’s granddaughter married Jordan’s grandson.
Two other early, historically significant settlers — brothers Richard and Robert Manning — also left Massachusetts and came to Raymondtown. They built a house for their sister and her children to live in after she was widowed, and that’s how the famous author Nathaniel Hawthorne — the sister’s son — ended up spending his childhood in Maine. Uncle Robert decided Nathaniel should go to college, and paid his tuition to Bowdoin College. He became fast friends with Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and Franklin Pierce, who later became president of the United States, and others. Hawthorne’s name was originally spelled Hathorne, but one of his ancestors was a presiding judge during the Salem witch trials and was the only one who had no remorse over his judgments; Nathaniel wanted to distance himself from him and added the “w.”
One of Dingley’s descendants married a Manning, so the families were all connected over the years. And you don’t have to go back to the 18th and 19th centuries to find descendants of the founding families; they are still part of the town today. For instance, stop by and meet Raymond Dingley, owner of Dingley’s Farm Stand and Raymond’s Frozen Custard on Route 302 (across the street from the Raymond-Casco Historical Museum, which is run by Martha “Betty” Watkins Glassford, whose brother has an antique car museum there).
Another notable resident of Casco was Tony Montanaro, the founder of the Celebration Barn Theater in South Paris. He studied mime with Marcel Marceau in Paris – France that is. www.celebrationbarn.com.
And there is much more to Casco. The Hawthorne Community Association has a strawberry festival held at the Hawthorne House in Raymond, usually held the last week of June. For more info call John Manoush, president of the Hawthorne Community Association, at 655-7660 and through their website www.hawthorneassoc.com. And Casco Days 2012 will be held at the Casco Day Park on July 26, 27 and 28. For more information go to www.cascodays.com. Also don’t miss the Casco Public Library, located at 5 Leach Hill Road, Casco. 627-4541. A library full of surprises.
Migis Lodge
2012 Migis Lodge
South Casco
655-4524
www.migis.com
This lodge is made up of 35 cottages on 125 acres on Sebago Lake. They have wedding and banquet facilities and are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. You can eat breakfast outside on the lake or come by for a lobster lunch.
Hackers Hill
Quaker Ridge Road between routes 302 and 11
This hill offers views on a clear day of Mt. Washington in New Hampshire, Sebago Lake and even Portland. There are picnic benches, so bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the magnificent vantage. The gates are closed on Tuesdays and Thursdays. It is a steep hill, but easily accessed by car. The road up is toward the north end of Quaker Ridge Road, on the east side, and is well marked by signs. It’s a wonderful opportunity for handicapped individuals to see amazing views.
Raymond-Casco Historical Museum
Route 302
Casco
www.raymondcascohistorymuseum.org
655-8668
Open Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. The Raymond-Casco Historical Society was founded in 1971; in 2008 Henry Watkins Jr. donated land and built the museum. The murals painted on the sides of the building are by Tom Mirriam, a local artist. The museum houses a lot of artifacts that show the history of the towns and their beginnings.
Watkin’s Flowers & Garden Center
791 Roosevelt Trail – Route 302
Casco
655-5459
www.watkinsflowersme.com
Not only can you buy arrangements here, but they have two greenhouses bursting with flowers. I saw varieties there that I have not seen anywhere else.
Dingley’s Farm Stand
Raymond’s Frozen Custard
857 Roosevelt Trail
Casco
655-1116
Undoubtedly some of the best frozen custard around. A great way to refresh your palate while in the area. Go to the museum, then browse the greenhouses and top it off with a frozen custard.
Sebago Lake State Park Trails
11 Park Access Road
Casco
693-6631
http://www.mainetrailfinder.com/Trail/sebago-lake-state-park-day-use-area/
Close to 5 miles of trails to enjoy (easy to moderate). Be aware you have to pay the park fee to enter, but it’s worth every penny. Make a day of it. Hike, swim and just laze around in the sun.
Meet this month’s guide:
Sharon Krawczyk assisted with this month’s Road Trip. She’s originally from Duxbury, Mass., and has been a Casco resident for more than 40 years, with a deep love of the area and its history.
If you would like to be a trip guide for your town or favorite Maine locale, contact writer Joie Crockett at joiecrockett@yahoo.com.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
