Surrounded by rugged mountains and bordered by a beautiful, jagged coastline, the city of Ellsworth and the town of Blue Hill exemplify "Downeast Maine" at its best. Few areas in Maine have retained as much nineteenth-century charm: lighthouses, cottages, gardens, and even a castle enhance the natural beauty of the region, which has always drawn visitors from far and wide. At the same time, Maine traditions of Yankee pride and hard work shine through, with granite quarries and copper mines, as well as busy fishing seasons testifying to the industrious spirit of this coastal people. It is this combination of natural beauty and strength of spirit that has always made the Ellsworth and Blue Hill area one of the most compelling and dynamic regions in all of Maine.

Few regions in New England can equal the scenic beauty and rich history of the Blue Hill and Ellsworth region. Situated in Hancock County, in Maine's Down East, the area was settled in the 1760s by hearty settlers harvesting blueberry barrens and fishing the coastal waters. In the 19th century, summer tourists began arriving, and they built elaborate summer estates along Parker Point and Hancock Point. The vintage postcards in this book show scenes of towns around Blue Hill and Ellsworth, such as Franklin, Sullivan, Sorrento, and Lamoine, as well as rare views of the 1933 Ellsworth fire and 1923 flood, Blue Hill Fair, and George Stevens Academy.

During the 1930s in the United States, the Works Progress Administration developed the Federal Writers’ Project to support writers and artists while making a national effort to document the country’s shared history and culture. The American Guide series consists of individual guides to each of the states. Little-known authors—many of whom would later become celebrated literary figures—were commissioned to write these important books. John Steinbeck, Saul Bellow, Zora Neale Hurston, and Ralph Ellison are among the more than 6,000 writers, editors, historians, and researchers who documented this celebration of local histories. Photographs, drawings, driving tours, detailed descriptions of towns, and rich cultural details exhibit each state’s unique flavor. WPA Guide to Maine focuses in on the very tip of the Northeastern United States, also known as the Pine Tree State. With a short but comprehensive description of Maine’s history, two of the most enthralling sections of the guide include essays on Maine’s folklore and maritime heritage.

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