The History Of The Weirdest Manmade Attraction In Maine Is Wild

Maine’s love affair with strangeness is no secret. Our state is known for its bizarre and offbeat destinations. Of these, the Desert of Maine in Freeport may be the weirdest man-made attraction in Maine. Not only is this patch of sand a dramatic departure from the surrounding forest’s lush green trees, it also has a fascinating history worth learning about.

Plan a visit to this remarkable spot near Freeport!

You might not expect to find this oddball curiosity in Freeport, a quaint community of under 10,000. But Freeport's history of European settlement extends back over 300 years, and this past is crucial in the story of how the Desert of Maine came to be.

Though today it comprises 40 acres of barren sand, you'll be surprised to learn that the property was once a thriving farm. In 1821, the Tuttle family purchased the land. To compete with larger agricultural operations, they employed practices that quickly depleted the land's soil of its essential nutrients.

When crops would no longer grow, the Tuttles opted for intensive sheep farming, further damaging the topsoil.

In just 69 years, the Tuttle family's farm permanently altered the property, turning the plot from a lush forest to a sandy field. They abandoned the land in 1890, and it immediately became a local sensation.

Mainer Henry Goldrup saw opportunity in the seemingly barren land and purchased it for just $300 dollars in 1925. He gave the property its name, the Desert of Maine, and developed it into a tourist attraction. Clearly, its allure remains. This oddball curiosity attracts over 30,000 tourists each year.

Learn more about the desert's past at the park's Visitor Center!

Visitors can peruse a delightful gift shop and even stay overnight in one of the site's glamping tents or delightfully luxe cabins.

For guests too young to appreciate the Desert's fascinating history, there's a fantastic playground to keep kids entertained! You can also try your luck on the modern, 18-hole mini-golf course. All these activities are open rain or shine, barring severe inclement weather that makes operating the park impossible.

Mainers have a soft spot for curiosities, big and small. But in our pantheon of strange attractions, few come wrapped up with so much history as the Desert of Maine. You and your family will love exploring this spectacular Freeport spot, created by 10,000 years of glacial activity and just 69 years of human intervention. If it isn’t the weirdest man-made attraction in Maine, it’s certainly one of the Pine Tree State’s most interesting. Visit and stay overnight in nearby Freeport.

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95 Desert Rd, Freeport, ME 04032, USA

There Is A Unique Man-Made Wonder Hiding In This Small Town In Maine

Andrea Verschuyl

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