Franklin County, Maine is located in the northern part of the state and covers an area of 1,743 square miles. It is bordered by Oxford County to the west, Somerset County to the east, and Kennebec County to the south. With a population of 31,908 people as of 2020, Franklin County is one of the least populated counties in Maine.
According to dictionaryforall.com, the county was established on April 1st 1838 from parts of Kennebec and Somerset Counties and named after Benjamin Franklin. The county seat is Farmington which was incorporated in 1794 and has a population of 7,141 people.
Franklin County offers plenty of attractions for visitors including outdoor activities like fishing for trout or salmon at Sandy River Reservoir or hiking around Flagstaff Lake. There are also several museums like the Old Canada Road Historical Society Museum or the Strong Historical Society Museum that offer insight into the area’s history and culture.
The area is also home to several famous people including astronaut Alan Shepard who was born in Derryfield (now East Derry) in 1923; actor William H Macy who attended Gould Academy in Bethel; actress Kyra Sedgwick who grew up in Montclair Township; author Stephen King who lived in Bridgton for a time; and Nobel Prize winner Robert Frost who spent his summers at his family farm near Farmington from 1900-1911.
Climate and weather in Franklin County, Maine
According to mcat-test-centers.com, the climate in Franklin County, Maine is classified as humid continental and experiences four distinct seasons. Summers are warm and humid with average temperatures hovering around 70°F (21°C). Winters are cold and snowy with temperatures usually below freezing. Spring and fall are mild with temperatures ranging from 40-60°F (4-16°C).
Rainfall is abundant throughout the year, averaging 39 inches (99 cm) annually. Snowfall is also plentiful during the winter months, averaging 77 inches (196 cm). The highest recorded snowfall for one season was 196 inches (497 cm) in 1968-69.
Due to the county’s location at the foot of the Appalachian Mountains, it occasionally experiences extreme weather conditions such as thunderstorms, hail storms, tornadoes, and hurricanes. These conditions usually occur during late summer or early fall when warm air from the Gulf of Mexico collides with cold air from Canada.
The county’s location also makes it vulnerable to extremely cold temperatures in winter due to arctic air masses that sweep down from Canada. The lowest recorded temperature was -35°F (-37°C) in January 2009. This type of cold weather can be dangerous so it is important to take precautions if venturing out into these conditions.
Transportation in Franklin County, Maine
Franklin County, Maine is served by a variety of transportation options. The most common way to get around is by car. The county is served by two major highways – Interstate 95 and US Route 1 – which make it easy to travel from one town to another. There are also numerous state roads that traverse the county, connecting its many small towns and villages.
Public transportation in Franklin County is provided by the Franklin Regional Transit Authority (FRTA). FRTA operates bus routes throughout the county, connecting its towns and villages with nearby cities such as Lewiston and Auburn. Buses run daily from 6:00 am to 8:00 pm with limited service on weekends.
The closest airport to Franklin County is located in Portland, about an hour’s drive away. This airport serves domestic flights from cities across the United States as well as international flights from Canada and Europe. There are also smaller regional airports located in nearby towns such as Bangor and Augusta that offer limited service to other parts of Maine.
For those who prefer more scenic modes of transportation, there are several railroads that wind their way through the county’s rural landscape. These include the Maine Eastern Railroad, which connects Rockland with Portland; the St Lawrence & Atlantic Railroad; and the Downeaster Amtrak service which provides passenger service between Boston and Brunswick via Freeport and Portland.
Finally, there are several ferry services operating out of Eastport that provide access to nearby islands such as Campobello Island in Canada and Grand Manan Island in New Brunswick. These ferries offer a unique way to explore this beautiful region while avoiding traffic congestion on land-based routes.
Cities and towns in Franklin County, Maine
Franklin County, Maine is home to a variety of cities and towns, each with its own unique character. The county’s largest city is Farmington, located in the foothills of the White Mountains. This vibrant city is home to the University of Maine at Farmington and is a popular destination for outdoor recreation. Other larger towns in the county include Wilton, Jay, and Livermore Falls. See top 3 cities in Maine.
Smaller towns in Franklin County include Strong, Avon, Phillips, Kingfield, Carthage, Rangeley, and Eustis. These quaint towns offer a slower pace of life than their larger counterparts while still providing access to all the amenities one would expect from living in rural Maine.
The county also contains numerous unincorporated villages such as Madrid Township, Freeman Township, Coplin Plantation, and Weld Village. These picturesque communities are often tucked away in remote corners of Franklin County but offer stunning views of its natural beauty.
No matter where you go in Franklin County you’ll find friendly people who are passionate about their local communities and eager to share their stories with visitors. Whether it’s visiting one of its many historic sites or simply enjoying a hike along one of its many trails there’s something for everyone to enjoy here in this beautiful corner of Maine.