Every day I remind you that Maine is pretty much the best state in the country. Are you getting tired of it yet? I hope not, because I’m certainly not tired of reminding you! We know that Maine is beautiful, that marrying a Mainer is a good decision, and that we have the best hikes, sunsets, and waterfalls in the world. But, did you know that Maine was the first to do quite a few things in the country? As a small departure from our opinion lists, here are some straight-up facts to share with your friends from away all about a couple of Maine firsts. These are some of the best Maine firsts in our state.

1. The first ship built by English colonists was constructed in Maine.
Paul VanDerWerf/ Flickr
The Pinnace Virgina was built along the Kennebec River in what is now Phippsburg. It was used to return 46 of the last colonists to England in 1608.
2. In 1623, the first sawmill in the U.S. was built in Maine.
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/ Flickr
This iconic bridge is the connection from New Hampshire back to Maine, however, the river that this bridge crosses once held the first sawmill on American soil. The mill was located on the Piscataqua River near York, Maine and actually existed before the town did. The purpose of the mill was to export lumber to England to be turned into warship masts. England's trees were not suitable for this purpose, but the colonists in New England had more than enough to share! In 1634, the first shipment of masts, from white pines, was sent to England.
3. The original patent for the sealed dive suit came from Maine.
Popular Science Monthly Volume 82 / Wikimedia Commons
Maine inventor Leonard Norcross patented what is widely accepted as the first practical, sealed dive suit in 1834. The suit had weighted feet and a hard, water-tight helmet. Exhaust air was pushed out the top of the helmet, which allowed divers a full range of motion underwater for the first time.
4. In 2013, Maine was the first state to legalize the purchase of prescription drugs from overseas. But ...
ecowaltz / Flickr
... a few years later, they were also the first to deem it illegal. The law allowed Maine residents to purchase prescription drugs from Internet pharmacies in countries the U.S. believed to have drugs of equal or greater regulation.
5. Maine was the first to give you the zig-zag sewing stitch.
rmkoske / Flickr
Helen Augusta Blanchard, who patented several inventions relating to sewing machines in 1873 and 1875, was born in Portland. Her creations included the method allowing for the zig-zag stitch, along with patents for the invention of the pencil sharpener and hat sewing machine. While most of her inventing happened outside of Maine, she did return to the state later in life.

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6. Maine is home to Togus, the first Veteran hospital in the country.
G. W. Morris, Portland, Maine / Wikimedia Commons
Togus was founded in 1866 and the first veteran was admitted on November 10 of the same year. The veteran population of the home was under 400 until a building program began in 1868 which created housing for 3,000 veterans.
7. We were the first to begin to think about the snowmobile.
Heather Sunderland / Flickr
While over-snow travel was something that many people tried to perfect, one of the first versions was created by OC Johnson, who came out of Waterville. A few years after his creation, someone else actually gave it the "snowmobile" name. Maine's history with the machine goes further with Polaris using many areas in the hilly areas in Northern Maine as testing grounds. So, we can proudly say that many of the advancements in snow travel happened FIRST in Maine! Looking to take your sled out this winter? Check out this massive trail throughout the state for snowmobiles.
8. York was the first city chartered city in the USA.
Eric Kilby / Flickr
The charter took place in 1641. In 1642, it became the country’s first incorporated city. York is also home to the best zoo in the state. Make sure you check out York's Wild Animal Kingdom!
9. The inventor of the Maxim gun first called Maine his home.
Zorro2212/ Flickr
The world's first portable, fully automatic machine gun was invented by Sir Hiram Stevens Maxim in 1884. Though he filed the actual patent in England, Stevens was a Maine native who lived in the state until his 40s. He also held patents on devices such as the mousetrap, hair-curling irons, and steam pumps.
10. Maine is the first to see the sunrise.
H.L.I.T. / Flickr
But, just where that happens in a hotly contested debate in Maine. There are three places that claim to have the first view - Lubec, Mars Hill, and Cadillac Mountain in Acadia. It seems that just where you see the sunrise first depends on the time of year. From late March to mid-September, you'll want to head to Mars Hill for first light. But, from mid-September through the first week of October, you should head to Quoddy Head. If you want to work for your view and see it from Cadillac Mountain you have some more time. Be there between mid-October and early March and you'll be greeted by America's first light.

There you have it —10 things that are Maine firsts. Did we leave any other Maine firsts off the list? Let us know in the comments or on our Only In Maine Facebook page!

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More to Explore

Maine Firsts

Chris Dodge | May 31, 2023

Are there any inventions from Maine?

There are several inventions that come from Maine. Here are a couple of good ones you might not have known came from the Pine Tree State:

  • The first transatlantic television signal 
  • Toothpicks
  • Ear muffs
  • Microwaves
  • Chewing gum
  • Paper plates

 

These and many more can be found in our article where we covered the inventions of Maine. 

What are some specific foods and drinks that come from Maine?

There is a distinguished taste that comes from Maine from the candy to the soda. Here are a couple of foods from Maine:

  • Fluffernutter
  • Red snappers
  • Needems
  • Moxie
  • Brown bread

 

These foods and more can be found in our article about classic Maine foods. 

What are some fun facts about Maine?

Some weird and quirky facts about Maine? Sure, we’ve got plenty of them. Check out some of our favorite fun facts about Maine:

  • Maine is the closest state in the United States to Africa.
  • Maine was the first to make the sale of alcohol illegal.
  • Maine is the second coldest state, second only to Alaska, go figure. 
  • In Northern Maine, the population of people and moose are very close in number. 

 

Learn more about these Maine fun facts with this article.

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