Old Canada Road Logo.

History & Heritage

Travel the History of the OCR

As you travel Maine’s Old Canada Road National Scenic Byway, you’re following in the footsteps of Native peoples, early settlers, loggers, traders, and soldiers. From rivers that once carried timber to historic inns that welcomed stagecoaches, this route is rich with stories that shaped the region. Along the way, interpretive panels, landmarks, and preserved sites help bring this deep and layered history to life.

Historic Highlights Along the Byway

Traveling along Maine’s Old Canada Road National Scenic Byway is more than just a scenic drive—it’s a journey through centuries of history, culture, and connection. The route follows the path once used by the Wabanaki people, early settlers, and later loggers and traders moving between Québec and New England. Interpretive panels along the Byway, written in both English and French, tell the story of a region shaped by rivers, forests, and the people who called it home.

Today, the Old Canada Road remains one of only 125 National Scenic Byways in the country, preserving the landscapes and legacies that built Maine’s Upper Kennebec Valley.

The Kennebec and Dead Rivers

The Kennebec and Dead Rivers have been vital to the region’s geography and industry for centuries—from Wabanaki travel routes to 19th-century log drives that floated timber to paper mills. Today, they serve as both historic waterways and recreational destinations for rafting, fishing, and exploration.

The Development of the Byway

Work on the route began in 1813, when funds from the Massachusetts Legislature were allocated to improve the road along the west side of the Kennebec River. Over time, the route—also called the Kennebec Chaudière Road—was shifted east to connect The Forks, Caratunk, and Bingham, ultimately evolving into today’s U.S. Route 201.

Between 1813 and 1900, more than a million immigrants traveled this corridor seeking opportunities in the mills of Maine and New England, shaping the communities that still line the Byway today.

Log Drivers in Maine.

Historic Sites Along the Old Canada Road

The Solon Hotel
(Solon)

Once known as the Caratunk House, the Solon Hotel has served travelers since the late 1800s. Rebuilt after a fire in 1893, it became a hub for loggers and locals alike. Recently restored, it continues to welcome visitors as the Solon Hotel Restaurant & Bar.

The Great Carrying Place (North of Bingham)

This historic portage route, maintained by the Arnold Expedition Historical Society, marks the path taken by Colonel Benedict Arnold’s 1775 expedition to Québec. The grueling journey through swamps and rugged terrain remains a powerful story of endurance and exploration in early American history.

Bingham Free Meetinghouse (Bingham)

Built in 1835, this classic New England church is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It stands as a reminder of the spiritual and communal life that grew along the Canada Road.

The Sterling Inn (Caratunk)

Founded in 1816, the Sterling Inn began as a stagecoach stop for travelers moving between Québec and the Maine coast. Over two centuries, it’s evolved through generations of innkeepers, logging families, and outdoor guides—and still operates today as a warm, year-round retreat for visitors and Appalachian Trail hikers.

WWII POW Camp (Near Spencer Lake)

In a remote area near Spencer Lake, a German prisoner-of-war camp once housed soldiers during World War II. A memorial plaque now marks the site, accessible by the Hardscrabble/Spencer Road, about 13 miles north of The Forks.

Parlin Farm (Near Parlin Pond)

Once a 19th-century way house for travelers, the Parlin Farm later became a privately owned retreat with a colorful history—including ties to the Piel family of Piel’s Beer fame.

A Legacy of Logging and Life in the Valley

From the early 1800s through the mid-1900s, logging shaped both the land and culture of the Upper Kennebec Valley. The region’s towns, railroads, and river systems all grew around the movement of timber—a legacy preserved in museums and local stories along the Byway.

Historical Societies and Museums Along the Byway

  • Old Canada Road Historical Society (Bingham)
    16 Sidney St, Bingham | Open Fridays, 1–5 PM
    Founded in 1993, this museum preserves artifacts, photos, and documents chronicling the region’s people, industries, and the Canada Road itself.

  • Jackman-Moose River Valley Historical Society (Jackman)
    574 Main St, Jackman | Open Fri–Sun, Noon–4 PM (May–Oct)
    Housed in the historic Town Hall (1903), the museum features exhibits on settlement, logging, and cross-border life.

  • Solon Historical Society (Solon)
    Main St, Solon | Open Tuesdays, 10 AM–2 PM (Mar–Nov)
    A local archive of the area’s early history, logging heritage, and family stories.
  • Skowhegan History House (Skowhegan)
    Elm St, Skowhegan | Open Tues–Fri, 10 AM–4 PM
    Features regional exhibits, collections, and cultural displays from Maine’s early settlement era.
  • Margaret Chase Smith Library & Home (Skowhegan)
    56 Norridgewock Ave, Skowhegan | By reservation
    A preserved home and museum honoring the life and leadership of U.S. Senator Margaret Chase Smith.