SCENIC EDGECOMB

The scenic rural character of Edgecomb is one of the town’s primary historic resources. Preservation of this rural character is key to the town’s retaining its visual connection with its history.

Edgecomb’s rural character is clearly evident in its scenic resources—in its fields, pastoral views, picturesque areas of wooded roads, scale of roadways and retention of early road patterns, views of architecturally significant buildings, quality of openness, and areas of roadside water views. Those that remain are evidence of Edgecomb's historical settlement and development over time, and why and where these occurred.

Scenic View of the River from Fort Edgecomb

Orchard at Haggett Farm on Schmid Preserve

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Coastal Heritage Areas Maps combine the center of Wiscasset with a section of Edgecomb beginning at a point where Cochran Road crosses the Edgecomb/Newcastle town line to Merrill Ledge on the Sheepscot River. This area is given the third highest rating in Region II (Cape Elizabethto South Thomaston) for coastal scenery. In addition, the state’s Coastal Heritage Program has identified an area on the north side of town along the SheepscotRiver as having a high scenic rating.

The following are examples of especially fields and pastoral views.

McKay Road : McKay barn, abutting fields and winding rural road and the stately elm tree.

Route 27 (Boothbay Road) driving north just before Parson's Point Road: shed-roofed barns sit within a long view of sweeping fields.

Cross Point Road: the wonderful flow of open fields, “Singing Meadow,” overlooked by a cluster of 19th century dwellings and barns.

Picturesque areas of wooded roads: Most side roads in Edgecomb have stretches of woods in which buildings cannot be seen.

Middle Road: the northerly section moving south from Dodge Road with trees that almost arch overhead—magical.

River Road with long stretches of wooded road: Though carved out of the ledge on Route 1, the section parallel to the Atlantic Highway offers a rocky wooded view.

Scenic, relatively undeveloped scale and patterns of roads:

Mill Road: the older section a little beyond Route 27 and just past the West Cove Bridge retains its old curving character. The bridge while not historic does not intrude on the historic proportions and character of the roadway as well as not detracting from the natural beauty of the area.

Spring Hill Farm Road: the northeasterly end of the road is a rare, remaining example of an early Edgecomb road. One hopes it will not be improved.

Shore Road at the dip at the old ice pond and old brick yard.

Views containing architectural buildings as viewed from a distance:

Route 27: The Edgecomb Town Hall and North Edgecomb Cemetery as viewed from Route 27. Also driving north, the open fields looking out to the Sheepscot River just before the Cod Cove Bed and Breakfast Inn.

Eddy Road just before Cross Point Road: a sweeping, open field within a loosely spaced group of 19th and early 20th century homes.

The cluster of turn of the twentieth century houses along Clifford Road presents a charming view of the “front” of the houses from the water.

Areas of roadside water views and expansive water views:

Cross Point Road: a little north of Deck House Road and across the road from 554 Cross Point Road (an early 19th, century cape-form) retains its historic dwelling and water access relationship.

Route One & Eddy Road: the bridge crossing Cod Cove from Davis Island to the mainland; and the causeway know as folly Bar on the Eddy Road at "The Eddy," offer views at both high and low tides, and retain relics of early shoreline industry, as well as being areas in which the tradition of Maine clamming endures.

Fort Road continues the early settlement patterns leading up to Fort Edgecomb with its panoramic views, east toward Edgecomb, south down river and west toward Wiscasset.

Perhaps the best scenic views, of and from Edgecomb, are afforded to those who have the availability of watercraft and can cruise the Sheepscot, the Cross and the Damariscotta rivers.

Route 1 from the Davey Bridge provides a sweeping view down river and north toward the old railroad bridge and from the Cod Cove causeway, the cove and salt marshes in both directions.

The most expansive view is from the Deckhouse School where the river, Westport Island, and the distant horizon culminate on a clear day with the peak of Mount Washington.