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Kingman, Maine

Quiet countryside along the Penobscot

Overview

Kingman lies along Interstate 95 between Bangor and the Katahdin region, offering a quiet rural lifestyle with convenient access to both urban amenities and wilderness recreation. The town's mix of farms, forests, and small homesteads attracts families seeking affordable living and a slower pace of life.

Key Facts

Population 185
Region Maine Highlands
County Penobscot
Founded 1873
Nearest City Lincoln (15 minutes)

What Kingman Is Known For

Kingman Local Highlights

Historic Tannery Town
Kingman was once home to a major sole-leather tannery built by Shaw and Kingman in the 1870s, which gave the township its name and drove its economy for decades.
Romanzo Kingman House
This finely detailed Italianate residence from 1871-1872, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, stands as a reminder of the tannery era's prosperity.
Mattawamkeag River
The river flows through the township, offering fishing, paddling, and wildlife viewing opportunities.
Mattawamkeag Wildlife Management Area
Part of this state-managed wildlife area lies within Kingman, providing protected habitat and hunting opportunities.

Things to Do

1
Fish the Mattawamkeag River
The river offers excellent fishing for smallmouth bass, pickerel, and seasonal runs of landlocked salmon.
2
Paddle the Mattawamkeag
The river provides flatwater and Class I-II paddling through scenic countryside.
3
Explore the Wildlife Management Area
The Mattawamkeag WMA offers hunting, wildlife viewing, and access to undeveloped forestland.
4
Hunt the Mixed Habitat
The combination of farmland, forest edges, and wetlands creates diverse habitat for deer, moose, turkey, and upland birds.
5
Snowmobile to the Katahdin Region
Trail connections link Kingman to the extensive network serving the Maine Highlands and beyond.

Living in Kingman

Kingman offers affordable rural living with unusual convenience—Interstate 95 passes through, providing quick access to Lincoln (15 minutes) and Bangor (45 minutes). This makes it possible to enjoy country living while commuting to work or accessing services. There are no stores in the township itself, but the highway access compensates. The community has fluctuated dramatically over the decades, from nearly 1,000 residents when the tannery operated to today's much smaller population.

Weather & Seasons

summer

Warm and pleasant, 68-82°F

winter

Cold with moderate snow, 8-28°F

spring

Cool and muddy, 35-55°F

fall

Crisp and colorful, 40-60°F

Local Wildlife & Nature

White-tailed deer Moose Black bear Wild turkey Bald eagles Smallmouth bass

How to Get There

Kingman is located off Interstate 95 at Exit 244, about 45 minutes north of Bangor. Route 170 passes through the main village at the intersection with the Mattawamkeag River.

Satellite preview shows the approximate town outline to help you get oriented before you arrive.

Satellite preview

Kingman outline

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened to Kingman's town status?

Kingman has had a complicated history. Organized as McCrillis Plantation in 1859, renamed Independence Plantation in 1866, incorporated as a town in 1873, it dissolved in 1935 after a devastating fire destroyed the tannery. It briefly reorganized as a plantation before becoming an unorganized township in 1945.

Who was Kingman named for?

The township was named for Romanzo Kingman, who built a sole-leather tannery here in the early 1870s with his partner Shaw. Kingman later moved west to Wisconsin but remained part owner of the Maine tannery.

Is the historic Kingman House open to visitors?

The Romanzo Kingman House is a private residence listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It can be viewed from the road but is not open for tours.

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Maine Highlands Region Seasonal Guide Wildlife & Nature