The skeletons of a blast furnace and charcoal kiln stand as silent, lone remnants of the Katahdin Iron Works. Between 1843 and 1890, these structures pulsed with activity as part of Maine's only nineteenth century iron works operation. The fires of the blast furnace flamed non-stop, glowing against the night sky. Such sights and sounds must have seemed out of place in the Maine wilderness. Yet, it was the wilderness, with its ready supplies of iron ore, fuel wood, and waterpower that brought the iron works industry to this site.

Open all year; 9:00 a.m. to sunset daily unless otherwise signed at gate. Fee Charged.

Katahdin Iron Works State Historic Site

Here you will find remote camping, fishing and boating with impressive views

Campers, boaters, fishermen and wildlife watchers at the 21,369-acre Seboeis Public Lands enjoy a large expanse of clear water studded by wooded islands and framed in the north by Mt. Katahdin. These Public Lands encompass 95 percent of the Seboeis Lake shoreline, all of Northwest Pond, the southwest shore of Endless Lake, and the entire shoreline of Turtle Pond.

Seboeis is a favorite destination for fishermen throughout the year, providing both cold water and warm water species. Landlocked salmon, splake, white and yellow perch, small mouth bass and chain pickerel are caught in Seboeis and Endless lakes. Brook trout are found in Turtle Pond and several tributary streams that enter Seboeis. In fall, hunters frequent Seboeis Public Lands in search of deer, moose, bear and waterfowl.

Seboeis has 15 campsites, including ones on wooded islands with sandy beaches. Six sites are accessible by vehicle (and one involves a short walk); the others require a boat. The surrounding hills are gently rolling, and the lake shoreline has an interesting mix of rocky, boulder-strewn stretches interspersed with sand beaches and secluded coves. Only a few camps (privately leased) can be seen along Seboeis Lake's 19 miles of shoreline.

Abundant wetlands (primarily at the southern end of Seboeis Lake) and productive fisheries support a diverse array of wildlife. Seboeis Lake has high numbers of nesting loons. Bald eagles, ospreys, belted kingfishers, mergansers and common terns all rely on the lake's abundant fish as a vital food source. Visitors may spot snowshoe hare, ruffed grouse, coyote, fox, beaver and otter in the vicinity and may see moose feeding in coves.

Snowmobilers pass along the land's western boundary in winter, traveling on a major trail (ITS Connector 111) between Brownville and the Millinocket area. The Seboeis Lands include junctures with ITS 83 and 82 that lead off toward Medway and Lincoln respectively. ATV riders can enjoy 12 miles of designated trail on shared-use roads within the property.

State Parks Tagged With: Brownville