Mother Nature smiled on Old Orchard Beach by favoring this seacoast town with one of the finest continuous seven mile beaches in Maine. Visitors have flocked to its shore and created a spirited resort town that has attracted families and sun and fun seekers for generations.
The area first came into prominence in 1657 when Thomas Rogers cultivated grape vines and fruit trees on a 12-acre plantation of high ground. His orchard become identified on maps as “Rogers’ Garden” and was used by sailors as a critical marker when navigating the coast.
In 1820, the same year Maine entered the Union as a state, the first hotel and bowling alley open, ushering in the beginnings of the tourist trade.
When you tour the town it’s hard to believe that fire devastated most of the area seven times between 1907 and 1975. Following each disaster citizens brought the town back with a new look and revitalized energy. Today, officials have created a distinct and inviting look to the town with such classic design features as brick sidewalks and Victorian lighting fixtures.
Railroads played an important part in the growth of Old Orchard Beach. Passenger service from Portsmouth, New Hampshire started in 1842. Today you can travel on the Amtrak Downeaster to the middle of town on the train’s run between Boston and Portland. Many French-Canadians discovered OOB – as it often gets called – when the Grand Truck Railroad opened in 1853 with a connection to Montreal. With the influx of so many northern visitors, French has become the area’s unofficial second language.
Your visit wouldn’t be complete without strolling on the landmark pier. When first built in 1898 the pier was constructed of steel and hovered 20 feet above and 1770 feet out over the sea. Through the years it was rebuilt numerous times after ravaging storms and fire destroyed it. Restored again in 1980 and shortened to 475 feet, it remains at the heart of the town’s vacation activities
You can almost hear the music performed during the heyday of big bands in the 1920s and 30s, when eager admirers danced to headliners like Guy Lombardo, Rudy Valle, Duke Ellington and Benny Goodman at the Pier Casino.
The first amusement park appeared in 1902. Today, families and kids flock to enjoy the park’s carousel, Ferris wheel, roller coaster and flashy arcade with video games and food concessions. In addition to swimming, sunning and relaxing on the beach your summer vacation will be filled with festivals, free band concerts, parades, exhibitions, street dances and special events like the sand castle building contest and beach Olympics.
Plan to be near the pier on Thursdays nights for the elaborate firework display.
Accommodations range from campgrounds, cottage rentals, motels, inns, B&Bs and resort hotels. All are a short distance from the beach. Gift stores, souvenir shops and restaurants line the bustling streets. For a lively evening’s outing you can choose from a variety of lounges, nightclubs and pubs.
A fact almost lost to history is that during the early days of aviation the hard packed beach at low tide became a landing field for fliers daring a trans-Atlantic crossing. In 1927 Charles Lindberg made a forced landing of his “Spirit of St. Louis” on the beach when dense fog prevented his scheduled visit to Portland.
A short distance south, but leagues apart in character from the flashy pier surroundings, you’ll find Ocean Park. Founded in 1881 as a religious summer community it offers a quiet retreat in a peaceful setting. It hosts several cultural and entertainment events throughout the year. It is also part of a Maine Game Preserve, with mile of trails for viewing wild life and birds.