Presque Isle

Presque Isle is a commercial center in Aroostook County in northern Maine near the Canadian border. The town sits along a waterway with a prominent mountain range to its southwest.

The settlement began in 1828 under the name Fairbanks and received its current name at incorporation in 1859 from the French term for peninsula. The naming refers to the shape of river bends that created a tongue-like landform.

The Crown of Maine Balloon Festival takes place annually and commemorates the first successful transatlantic balloon crossing launched from this location in 1978. The town spreads along Presque Isle Stream, where four peaks of Green Mountain form a north-south line through the southwestern part of the community.

A regional airport connects the area to other parts of the country, while a large mall draws customers from both sides of the border. The place sits away from major population centers and serves as a supply hub for surrounding rural communities.

The Maine Agricultural Experiment Station at Aroostook Farm has conducted research on potato cultivation since 1914 and supports the region's agricultural development. The station breeds new varieties adapted to the northern climate and contributes to improving crop quality.

Location: Aroostook County

Inception: 1859

Elevation above the sea: 139 m

Website: https://presqueislemaine.gov

GPS coordinates: 46.67940,-68.00220

Latest update: December 13, 2025 17:30