Waterville

Waterville is a city in Kennebec County, Maine, located on the west bank of the Kennebec River. The urban area includes several residential neighborhoods, a downtown district with shops, and two colleges connected by wide streets and parks.

Before 1802, the area was part of Winslow, but residents formed a separate community because crossing the river for meetings proved too difficult. During the 19th century, five shipyards opened here, turning the settlement into an important center for vessel construction in Maine.

The city takes its name from waterfalls that once powered mills along the Kennebec. Today you can see traces of that industrial past along the riverfront, mixed with modern residential areas and campus buildings.

The central area is within walking distance of several points of interest, including shops and public facilities. Visitors exploring the surroundings can follow streets along the river or use parks that connect different neighborhoods.

Despite being far from the ocean, residents once operated five shipyards along the river. Those vessels later sailed up and down the coast, showing how important the Kennebec was as a waterway.