Whiting

Population: 407

Traveling north on U.S. 1, Whiting is your entrance to the Cobscook Bay area.  From here, you can travel east to Lubec and Campobello Island, or north to Eastport.

Originally called Plantation #12, Whiting was incorporated in 1825. Timothy Whiting, an early and prominent landowner and benefactor, offered the town a donation of 400 acres of land for the benefit of free schools upon the condition that the town be called Whiting.

Settlers of the late 18th century penetrated the wilderness and their activity centered around seaside villages and the mouth of the Orange River, the present site of Whiting village. Farm occupations became a thing of the past in the early 1900's, but neglected fields and run-down pastures began to produce blueberries and soon became the farmers' cash crop. The town of Whiting makes a large contribution to Washington County's high production of wild, low bush, blueberries.

Lumbering and ship building are occupations that make up a large part of Whiting's history. In addition to the lumber mills, the big business of Whiting for about 150 years years was a grist mill with one or two carding machines located at the former stone dam in the village.

The town's primary business, starting in 1915 and still in operation, is Look's Gourmet Food Company, located on Holmes Bay.  A variety of service businesses are located in Whiting, including H&S CONSTRUCTION AND TRUCKING.

At the junction of U.S. Route 1 and Route 189, known as Whiting Corner, you will find the Whiting Village School, a two-room schoolhouse serving grades K-8, the Whiting Church (both of which date from about 1825), and the cemetery.

Orange River great for canoeing  - Copyright Alana Ranney

The WHITING-COBSCOOK STORE also is located at Whiting Corner. This is the central stopping place for residents of Lubec, Trescott, and Edmunds, as well as Whiting.  Information, gossip, hot coffee, gasoline, pizza, and just about every thing a traveler may need can be found here.

Also located at Whiting Corner is Whiting Bay Family Health Center. Dr. Julia Arnold is a Board certified Family Physician and an active  member of the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).

About a mile east of Whiting corner on Rte 189, you can find the Cobscook Community Learning Center.  

Blueberry Field in Whiting - Copyright Alana Ranney

West of Whiting Corner, you can find THE PUFFIN PINES COUNTRY GIFT STORE. The store is a long-time tradition in the area, having been built in the early 1960s. It is now under its fourth owners and third name. Famous for moccasins, The Puffin Pines also carries a wide range of Maine-theme gifts. Its particular specialties include "puffin stuff" and "moose merchandise", although Maine coastal themes such as lighthouses and lobsters also are well-represented. The store has an Information Booth with free brochures on area attractions. The Puffin Pines web site also has links and attractions pages with information about the area.

Further west (also south) along U.S. 1, about 1 1/2 miles from the town center, lies the QUODDY REGIONAL LAND TRUST, a non-profit conservation organization established in 1987.  QRLT coordinates the Cobscook Trails project to expand opportunities for nature-based recreation and tourism in eastern Washington County, and distributes Cobscook Trails: A Guide to Walking Opportunities Around Cobscook Bay and the Bold Coast Region.  For your copy send $10.00 to QRLT, PO Box 49, Whiting ME 04691 or phone 733-5509 for more information.