Description: M1432 WELLS BEACH, YORK COUNTY, MAINEPhoto by Hastings Published by Eastern Illustrating and Publishing Co., Inc., Belfast, Maine Postmarked PORTLAND, ME. 15 JUL 1984 PMCanceled 1982 13c Kitten and Puppy US Postage Stamp__________________________ Wells is a resort town in York County, Maine, United States. Founded in 1643, it is the third-oldest town in Maine. The population was 11,314 at the 2020 census. Wells Beach is a popular summer destination. HistoryWells Police Department color guard marching in the town's 350th anniversary parade.The Abenaki Indians called the area Webhannet, meaning "at the clear stream", a reference to the Webhannet River. Edmund Littlefield, an immigrant from the wool regions of Titchfield, England, built the first gristmill and later a woolen mill on the Webhannet River, becoming known as "The Father of Wells," where a monument commemorates his contribution. In 1622, the Plymouth Company in England awarded to Sir Ferdinando Gorges, Lord Proprietor of Maine, territory which included the Plantation of Wells. His young cousin, Thomas Gorges, acting as deputy and agent, in 1641 granted to Rev. John Wheelwright and other settlers from Exeter, New Hampshire the right to populate the land from northeast of the Ogunquit River to southwest of the Kennebunk River. Following the death of the elder Gorges in 1647, the Massachusetts Bay Colony laid claim to Maine. On July 5, 1653, Wells was incorporated, the third town in Maine to do so, and named after Wells, England, a small cathedral city in the county of Somerset. After the restoration of Charles II and a meeting in Wells of the trustees of the late Ferdinando Gorges, the British authorities gave a general outline for the local civil and military administration on December 7, 1661. Wells included Kennebunk, which was set off the year Maine became a state in 1820, and Ogunquit, designated a village within Wells by the legislature in 1913, then set off in 1980. Wells was the resilient northeastern frontier of English colonial settlement. Except for a few forts and garrisons, early attempts to colonize Maine above Wells were abandoned because of attacks by Native Americans, who resented the encroachment on their territory. Wells endured three major attacks, most famously the Raid on Wells in 1692. The region became less dangerous, however, after the Battle of Louisburg in 1745. Many early Wells settlers joined the Continental Army; some became Revolutionary War heroes, including Captains Samuel Gooch, Nathanial Littlefield, and Jeremiah Storer. Ocean View Cemetery on Post Road contains a Civil War monument and plot honoring its service members. Visitors can walk to Founder's Park just off of Post Road onto Sanford Road, which includes a light walking trail, picnic area, and the first settlement home. Monuments list the names of Wells' founding families. The town developed as a farming community, producing hay and vegetables. Other industries included shipbuilding and fisheries. In the 19th century, with the arrival of the railroad, the town's sandy beaches attracted tourists. Many inns and hotels were built along the seashore. Today, tourism remains important to the economy. Wells celebrated its 350th anniversary in 2003. The year-long celebration included a New Year's Eve party with fireworks, parade, a visit by the traveling Russian circus, concerts, historical reenactments, and more. The town commissioned a member of the celebration committee, Kristi Borst, to design a town flag. Her design portrays historic aspects of the Town's settlement and agriculture as well as the 2003 Town Hall and focus on tourism represented by a train. Also included is the motto she penned for the project: "Proud of our Past, Ready for our Future". GeographyWells is on the southern coast of Maine, surrounded by Kennebunk to the northeast, Sanford to the northwest, North Berwick to the west, South Berwick to the southwest, and Ogunquit to the south. According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 73.61 square miles (190.65 km2), of which 57.55 square miles (149.05 km2) is land and 16.06 square miles (41.60 km2) is water. Wells is drained by the Webhannet River. The highest point in town is an unnamed hill located one-half mile south of the intersection of State Route 9 and Bragdon Road, which is 360 feet (110 m) above sea level. The lowest elevation is sea level, along the coastline with the Atlantic Ocean. Wells is part of the Portland-South Portland-Biddeford Metropolitan Statistical Area. TransportationB&M railroad station in 1910.There are several transportation corridors connecting Wells with other communities: Interstate 95 (Maine Turnpike Exit 19)U.S. Route 1Maine State Route 9Maine State Route 9AMaine State Route 109The Pan Am Railways mainline (formerly the Boston & Maine Railroad)The Eastern Trail, a multi-use trail, part of the East Coast GreenwayAccess to the Amtrak national passenger rail system is available at the Wells Regional Transportation Center, which is served by 10 Downeaster trains per day. The center has a park and ride lot and is adjacent to the I-95 interchange._________________________ 1984 Wells Beach, US Highway 1, York County, ME Vintage Postcard by Hastings Posted
Price: 7.99 USD
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
End Time: 2024-12-01T11:53:01.000Z
Shipping Cost: 0 USD
Product Images
Item Specifics
Return shipping will be paid by: Seller
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 30 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
Unit of Sale: Single Unit
Number of Items in Set: 1
Artist: Photo by Hastings
Size: Standard (5.5 x 3.5 in)
Material: Cardboard, Paper
City: Wells Beach
Original/Licensed Reprint: Original
Brand/Publisher: Published by Eastern Illustrating and Publishing Co., Belfast, ME
Subject: 1984 Wells Beach, US Highway 1, York County, ME VTG Hastings
Continent: North America
Type: Printed (Lithograph)
Unit Type: Unit
Era: Photochrome (1939-Now)
Country: United States
Region: Maine
Theme: Aerial View, Architecture, Beachfront, Cities & Towns, Community Life, Roadside America, Seascape, Tourism, Transportation, Travel, Webhannet River
Features: Chrome, Divided Back, Stamped
Time Period Manufactured: 1970-1979
Unit Quantity: 1
Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
Postage Condition: Posted
