The ghost town of Frenchboro, Maine offers a unique glimpse into Maine’s maritime history. This isolated island community, with its rich cultural heritage and scenic beauty, tells a compelling story of resilience, adaptation, and the challenges of island life in the North Atlantic.
County: Hancock
Zip Code: 04635
Latitude / Longitude: 44°07′17″N 68°21′36″W
Elevation: 0-200 feet
Time Zone: Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
Established: 1822
Disestablished: N/A (still inhabited)
Comments: Frenchboro is located on Long Island in Hancock County, Maine. Unlike many ghost towns, it still maintains a small year-round population.
Remains: Original buildings, church, school, and working harbor
Current Status: Frenchboro remains one of Maine’s 15 year-round island communities, though with a much smaller population than in its heyday.
Remarks: While not completely abandoned, Frenchboro represents the struggle of Maine’s island communities to maintain their populations and traditional ways of life in the face of modern challenges.
Frenchboro: Maine’s Island Community That Survived
Unlike many of Maine’s ghost towns that have completely disappeared or remain only as abandoned ruins, Frenchboro represents a different narrative—a remote island community that came perilously close to abandonment but managed to survive against the odds. While not a traditional ghost town in the sense of being completely abandoned, Frenchboro’s story of near-extinction and resilience offers valuable insights into the challenges faced by Maine’s island communities and the factors that determine whether such settlements persist or fade into history.
Geography and Setting
Frenchboro is located on Long Island in Hancock County, Maine, at the entrance of Blue Hill Bay. The island sits approximately two miles southeast of Swan’s Island and eight miles south of Mount Desert Island. To avoid confusion with other Maine islands sharing the ‘Long Island’ name, it is often referred to as Outer Long Island or simply Frenchboro. The island is relatively large, encompassing about 2,500 acres of land, with roughly 1,000 acres preserved as a natural area.
The Frenchboro town limits extend beyond Long Island itself to include eleven smaller surrounding islands, including Great Duck Island, Little Duck Island, Black Island, and Mount Desert Rock. This archipelago creates a distinctive maritime landscape that has shaped the community’s development and character throughout its history.
The village is concentrated around Lunt Harbor on the northwest side of Long Island. This horseshoe-shaped inlet provides protection from all weather except northeast winds, making it a relatively safe haven for fishing vessels and a key factor in the community’s survival. From the harbor, the land rises sharply, with modest homes perched on the sloping banks, overlooking the water and the distant mountains of Mount Desert Island.
Beyond the harbor area, the island features spruce forests, bogs, lichen-covered ledges, and granite shores. The eastern portion of the island culminates in Richs Head, a distinctive geographic feature connected to the main island by a narrow neck of rocks and exposed to the open Atlantic. The island’s varied terrain and relative isolation have preserved much of its natural beauty while presenting challenges for human habitation.
Early Settlement and the Lunt Family
The human history of Long Island predates European settlement, with indigenous peoples maintaining summer hunting and fishing camps on the island for centuries. These early inhabitants harvested the abundant marine resources and utilized the island’s natural features.
The modern settlement of Frenchboro began in the early 19th century when Israel B. Lunt and his brother Amos arrived around 1822. The Lunt family would become synonymous with the island’s history and development. Israel Lunt, born in 1797 in Newburyport, Massachusetts, had previously lived on nearby Mount Desert Island before establishing his homestead on Long Island.
According to historical accounts, Israel Lunt initially came to the island to harvest hay for his livestock. Finding the island uninhabited and its resources plentiful, he decided to settle permanently, bringing his family and establishing what would become a multigenerational presence. The Lunt family’s decision to make their home on this remote island marked the beginning of a community that would persist, despite numerous challenges, for two centuries.
The island was originally known as Outer Long Island or Lunt’s Long Island, reflecting both its geographic position relative to other islands and the dominant family’s influence. The name ‘Frenchboro’ came into use much later, in the 1890s, when the community established its first post office. The name honored a lawyer from Tremont named French who helped the islanders navigate the bureaucratic process of establishing postal service.
Community Development and Peak Population
Throughout the 19th century, Frenchboro grew steadily as the Lunt family expanded and other families joined the community. The island’s economy centered primarily on fishing, particularly lobstering, which provided a sustainable livelihood despite the challenges of island life. By the mid-19th century, the community had established basic infrastructure, including a school, church, and various small businesses to serve the local population.
In 1857, the island was briefly incorporated as a town called Islandport, but this formal municipal status was surrendered the following year in 1858. This short-lived experiment in formal governance reflects the practical challenges of maintaining traditional town structures in such an isolated setting. Despite this reversion to unorganized status, the community continued to function effectively through informal governance and strong social bonds.
The population of Frenchboro peaked in the late 19th century, when approximately 200 people called the island home. During this period, the community was largely self-sufficient, with residents growing vegetables in small gardens, raising livestock, harvesting seafood, and trading with mainland communities for goods they couldn’t produce themselves. The island supported multiple fishing families, each operating their own vessels and maintaining the equipment necessary for their livelihood.
The community’s relative isolation fostered strong social bonds and distinctive cultural practices. Island traditions, including community suppers, musical gatherings, and cooperative work efforts like house-raisings and boat launchings, created a tight-knit society where interdependence was essential for survival. These social structures helped the community weather the challenges of island life, including harsh winters, limited resources, and the ever-present dangers of the sea.
Challenges and Near Abandonment
Like many of Maine’s island communities, Frenchboro faced significant challenges in the 20th century that threatened its continued existence. The modernization of the fishing industry, changing economic conditions, and the allure of mainland opportunities led to a steady decline in population, particularly after World War II. Young people increasingly left the island for education and employment opportunities that weren’t available in their isolated home community.
By the 1960s, Frenchboro’s year-round population had dwindled to fewer than 40 residents, raising serious questions about the community’s viability. The small population struggled to maintain essential services and infrastructure, and the isolation that had once been a defining characteristic of island life became increasingly problematic as mainland society offered conveniences and opportunities unavailable on the island.
The island’s school, which had operated continuously since the 19th century, faced particular challenges as the number of school-age children declined. At various points, the school population dropped to just a handful of students, making it difficult to justify the expense of maintaining a teacher and facilities. Yet the school was recognized as essential to the community’s survival—without educational opportunities for their children, remaining families would be forced to relocate to the mainland.
The limited transportation options also presented significant challenges. For much of its history, Frenchboro was accessible only by private boat, making travel to and from the mainland difficult, especially during the winter months when weather conditions often prevented any movement between the island and the mainland for days or even weeks at a time. This isolation, while contributing to the community’s distinctive character, also made it increasingly difficult to attract new residents or retain younger generations.
By the 1970s, Frenchboro had reached a critical juncture. With fewer than 30 year-round residents, the community faced the very real possibility of joining the ranks of Maine’s abandoned island settlements. Many similar islands that had once supported thriving communities—places like Criehaven, Malaga Island, and Outer Mark Island—had already been abandoned as the challenges of island life outweighed the benefits for many residents.
Preservation and Revitalization Efforts
What distinguishes Frenchboro from Maine’s true ghost towns is the community’s remarkable resilience and the efforts made to ensure its survival. Beginning in the 1980s, several initiatives helped stabilize the island’s population and create conditions that would allow the community to persist into the 21st century.
One significant development was the establishment of regular ferry service to the island. In 1971, the Maine State Ferry Service began providing transportation between Frenchboro and the mainland, initially on a limited basis. This service was gradually expanded, providing more reliable connections to the mainland and reducing the isolation that had contributed to population decline. Today, the ferry makes three round trips per week between Frenchboro and Bass Harbor on Mount Desert Island, providing a vital link for residents and visitors alike.
Another important factor in Frenchboro’s survival was the conservation of a significant portion of the island’s land. In 1999, the Maine Coast Heritage Trust, working with island residents and other conservation organizations, protected approximately 1,000 acres of Long Island as the Frenchboro Preserve. This initiative helped prevent the development of the island for vacation homes or other uses that might have altered its character while ensuring that traditional activities like hiking, hunting, and berry-picking could continue.
The island’s school has been maintained despite the small student population, with support from the state of Maine and various educational initiatives designed specifically for island communities. The Outer Islands Teaching and Learning Collaborative, established in 2009, connects Frenchboro’s students with those on other Maine islands through technology, providing educational opportunities and social connections that would be impossible for any single island school to offer independently.
Perhaps most importantly, the community itself has worked actively to ensure its own survival. Island residents have embraced new technologies that make island living more feasible, including improved telecommunications that allow for remote work and education. They have also maintained the traditional fishing economy while adapting to changing conditions in the industry, ensuring that the island continues to offer viable livelihoods for those willing to embrace its unique way of life.
Frenchboro Today
Today, Frenchboro stands as one of Maine’s 15 remaining year-round island communities, a testament to the resilience of its residents and their commitment to preserving a unique way of life. The island’s population fluctuates seasonally but typically includes about 30-40 year-round residents, with numbers increasing during the summer months when seasonal residents and visitors arrive.
The community remains centered around Lunt Harbor, where fishing boats still come and go as they have for generations. Lobstering continues to be the primary economic activity, with most year-round residents directly or indirectly involved in the industry. The harbor area includes a town dock, a small store that operates seasonally, and the ferry terminal that connects the island to the mainland.
The island’s built environment reflects its long history and evolution. The Frenchboro Congregational Church, built in 1890, remains a central community institution and a distinctive landmark visible from the harbor. The one-room schoolhouse, though modernized over the years, continues to serve the island’s children, typically educating between 3-10 students across multiple grade levels. Historic homes, many dating to the 19th century, stand alongside more modern structures, creating a landscape that bridges past and present.
Despite its small size, Frenchboro maintains the essential structures of community governance. As an organized plantation (a form of local government in Maine), it elects assessors who oversee local affairs and manage the limited municipal budget. Community decisions are made at annual and special plantation meetings, where all residents have a voice in determining local priorities and policies.
The island has embraced limited tourism as a secondary economic activity, welcoming day visitors who arrive via the ferry or private boats. The Frenchboro Preserve offers hiking trails that showcase the island’s natural beauty, including old-growth forests, rocky shorelines, and panoramic ocean views. The annual Frenchboro Lobster Dinner, held in August, has become a popular event that brings hundreds of visitors to the island while raising funds for community needs.
Modern technology has reduced some of the challenges of island living. Solar power supplements traditional electricity, satellite and wireless internet connections enable remote work and education, and improved communication systems ensure that medical emergencies can be addressed promptly despite the island’s isolation. These adaptations have made it possible for the community to maintain its distinctive character while participating in the broader society and economy.
Cultural Significance and Legacy
Frenchboro’s significance extends beyond its physical presence as one of Maine’s surviving island communities. The island represents important aspects of Maine’s maritime heritage and offers insights into the factors that determine whether remote communities persist or disappear over time.
The island has been the subject of various cultural and artistic works that have helped document and preserve its unique character. In 1941, the photographer Eliot Porter created a series of images documenting life on Frenchboro, capturing the community at a pivotal moment in its history. These photographs, now held by the Amon Carter Museum of American Art, provide valuable visual documentation of island life in the mid-20th century.
More recently, the island was featured in the documentary film ‘The Frenchboro Journals,’ which explored the challenges and rewards of maintaining a year-round community on a remote Maine island. The film highlighted the distinctive culture that has evolved in this isolated setting and the efforts being made to ensure the community’s survival into the future.
Frenchboro’s experience offers valuable lessons for other rural and remote communities facing similar challenges. The island’s survival demonstrates the importance of adaptability, community cohesion, and strategic partnerships with outside organizations. By embracing change while maintaining core values and traditions, Frenchboro has avoided the fate of Maine’s true ghost towns while preserving a way of life that might otherwise have disappeared.
The island also serves as a living laboratory for sustainability and resilience. The small community must carefully manage limited resources, adapt to changing environmental and economic conditions, and maintain essential infrastructure with minimal support. These challenges mirror those faced by communities worldwide as they confront issues of sustainability and climate change, making Frenchboro’s experiences relevant beyond its specific geographic and historical context.
Frenchboro in Context: Maine’s Island Communities
To understand Frenchboro’s significance as a ‘ghost town that wasn’t,’ it’s helpful to consider it in the context of Maine’s broader island history. Of the approximately 3,000 islands along Maine’s coast, only 15 currently maintain year-round communities, down from more than 300 that were inhabited year-round in the 19th century. This dramatic decline reflects the challenges of island living and the economic and social forces that have drawn people to mainland communities over time.
Islands that have been completely abandoned include once-thriving communities like Criehaven (also known as Ragged Island), which was depopulated by the 1930s; Malaga Island, whose mixed-race community was forcibly removed in 1912 in a shameful episode of state-sponsored discrimination; and Outer Mark Island, which lost its last year-round residents in the early 20th century. These true ghost towns—places where human habitation has entirely ceased—stand in contrast to Frenchboro’s continued, if tenuous, existence.
Other islands have followed trajectories similar to Frenchboro’s, experiencing significant population decline but maintaining small year-round communities. Isle au Haut, Matinicus, and Monhegan all support populations similar in size to Frenchboro’s, facing many of the same challenges while developing their own strategies for survival. These communities, along with Frenchboro, represent living connections to Maine’s maritime heritage and demonstrate the persistent appeal of island living despite its difficulties.
Some formerly year-round islands have transformed into seasonal communities, occupied primarily during the summer months when weather conditions are favorable and transportation is easier. Great Cranberry Island, Islesford, and Bustins Island exemplify this pattern, with their populations swelling during the summer and contracting dramatically during the winter months. While this seasonal pattern ensures that these islands avoid complete abandonment, it represents a significant change from their historical pattern of year-round habitation.
Frenchboro’s status as one of Maine’s few remaining year-round island communities makes it a valuable case study in community resilience and adaptation. By examining the factors that have allowed Frenchboro to survive while so many similar communities have disappeared, we gain insights into the complex interplay of economic, social, and cultural forces that shape the destiny of remote settlements.
Visiting Frenchboro
For those interested in experiencing this unique community firsthand, Frenchboro is accessible to visitors, though its remote location requires some planning. The Maine State Ferry Service provides transportation from Bass Harbor on Mount Desert Island to Frenchboro three days per week (typically Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday), with a journey time of approximately one hour each way. The ferry schedule is designed primarily to serve the needs of island residents rather than tourists, so visitors should check the current schedule and plan accordingly.
Upon arriving at Lunt Harbor, visitors will find a small but welcoming community. The harbor area includes a public dock, and the island store (when open) offers basic provisions and information. The Frenchboro Historical Society maintains a small museum that documents the island’s history and the experiences of its residents over nearly two centuries of continuous habitation.
The Frenchboro Preserve, managed by the Maine Coast Heritage Trust, offers approximately 13 miles of hiking trails that provide access to much of the island’s interior and shoreline. The most popular route is the 5.5-mile loop trail that circles the island, passing through forests, across open ledges, and along dramatic shorelines with views of Mount Desert Island and the open Atlantic. Visitors should be prepared for challenging terrain and variable weather conditions, as the island’s trails can be rugged and exposed.
The annual Frenchboro Lobster Dinner, held on the second Saturday in August, offers a special opportunity to experience the island’s culture and community spirit. This event, which serves as a fundraiser for various community needs, features freshly caught lobster prepared by island residents, along with traditional side dishes and desserts. The dinner attracts hundreds of visitors and provides a rare opportunity for large-scale social interaction on this remote island.
Visitors to Frenchboro should respect the island’s status as a working community rather than a tourist destination. The limited infrastructure cannot support large numbers of visitors, and residents depend on the island’s resources for their livelihoods. By approaching the island with respect for its people, history, and natural environment, visitors can gain valuable insights into this unique community while contributing to its continued survival.
Conclusion
Frenchboro occupies a unique position among Maine’s ghost towns—a community that came to the brink of abandonment but managed to persist through a combination of resilience, adaptation, and strategic support. While not a ghost town in the traditional sense of being completely abandoned, its story of near-extinction and survival offers valuable insights into the factors that determine whether remote communities endure or disappear over time.
The island’s history, from its settlement by the Lunt family in the 1820s through its peak population in the late 19th century to its near-abandonment in the mid-20th century and subsequent stabilization, reflects broader patterns in Maine’s coastal and island communities. By examining Frenchboro’s experience, we gain a deeper understanding of the economic, social, and cultural forces that have shaped Maine’s development and the strategies that have allowed some communities to survive despite significant challenges.
Today, Frenchboro stands as a living testament to the enduring appeal of island life and the determination of those who choose to maintain this distinctive way of living. Neither a true ghost town nor a thriving community, it occupies a middle ground that highlights both the fragility and the resilience of human settlements in challenging environments. As such, it offers valuable lessons for other communities facing similar challenges and provides a window into an aspect of Maine’s heritage that might otherwise be lost to history.
Sources:
https://www.islandinstitute.org/community-profiles/frenchboro/
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/the-life-and-times-of-a-maine-island-39225074/
https://maineanencyclopedia.com/frenchboro/
https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Frenchboro,_Hancock_County,_Maine_Genealogy
https://www.mcht.org/preserve/frenchboro-preserve/
