Monhegan Island, Maine Photo Gallery by Beth at pbase.com

Monhegan Island, Maine

Life off the coast of Maine is other-worldly! This island, 12 miles off the Maine coast (1 1/2 hour's travel time), rises from the sea, a chunk of rock in a very large, blue ocean. The rhythm of the island is repeated daily as tourist boats bring their loads of people to spill onto the island. We join a group at mid-day feeling as though we've stepped back 100 years! This isolated place is a tourist destination and artist's colony in summer; inhabited by a few brave residents the rest of the year.

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The desolation of Manana, a neighboring island, sets the tone. (Monhegan Island, Maine)	At the ferry slip, guests are greeted by local transportation and a few island inhabitants. (Monhegan Island, Maine, hotel)	"Island Flower" This young lady rides in one of the few island pick-up trucks to retrieve a guest. (Monhegan Island, Maine)
while those who have no transportation walk up the road to the village.(Monhegan Island, Maine)	Looking back down to the harbor. (Monhegan Island, Maine)	This is one of the first residences we see as we trek up the hill. (Monhegan Island, Maine)
People make a living selling 'pieces of the island life.' (Monhegan Island, Maine)	Manana from the town hilltop. (Monhegan Island, Maine)	You are dependent on your own legs in this place and all the roads are dirt! (Monhegan Island, Maine)
All ages cater to tourists, scraping a living out of rock! (Monhegan Island, Maine)	We find one church on the island. (Monhegan Island, Maine)	Artists punctuate the landscape,... (Monhegan Island, Maine)
....showing up around unlikely corners.,,, (Monhegan Island, Maine)	...and visitors enjoy the other-worldly setting. (Monhegan Island, Maine)	Picked fences... (Monhegan Island, Maine, house, home, picket fence)
.... dirt roads... (Monhegan Island, Maine, house, home, picket fence)	....and breezy porches are the rule. (Monhegan Island, Maine, porch, veranda)	The dirt road ends turning into a narrow path. We find people dancing on a corpse in lobster cove...or so it seems! (Monhegan Is
The long view...the end of the path leads here. (Monhegan Island, Maine)	Summer residents are glad to see old friends! (Monhegan Island, Maine, artist)	Evidence of island services...but where is the hospital? There isn't one! (Monhegan Island, Maine, ambulance)
At the light house... (Monhegan Island, Maine, artist)	....there are more artists plying their trade... (Monhegan Island, Maine, artist)	...at the highest point on the island. (Monhegan Island, Maine, Lighthouse, boat)
And who can blame them with a view like this??!! (Monhegan Island, Maine)	Reminders of Edward Hopper and Fairfield Porter... (Monhegan Island, Maine)	....in northern light. (Monhegan Island, Maine)
Ron (Monhegan Island, Maine)	Patriotism lives even in remote places! (Monhegan Island, Maine)

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comment |

Jane`		13-May-2010 21:37
Your photos of Monhegan are wonderful! I'm leaving on my 1st visit to the island in a few weeks (Art Workshop)...hope we enjoy the weather you had!!! Thank you for a lovely introduction to the island!

Tom		25-Jan-2009 17:50
John I was a kid on Monhegan in the fiftys. I was 16 last year year I stayed in the summer there. I remember the guys at Manana. I remember the dog that used to try and bite the tires of the trucks as they were rolling. That dog used to ride the boat back and forth to Manana.. Crazy dog . One of you guys was dating the same girl I was trying to date. That wasn't you was it? Her name was Pat Gay.

John		21-Jun-2008 04:36
In my early adult life, I was in the Coast Guard stationed on Manana Island at the Fog Signal Station. I enjoyed my time in Maine and Monhegan

Susan Dyer Taylor		13-Jul-2007 22:20
I'm looking for someone who actually knew the Hermit (Ray). It seems I have an original photo of a dapper gentleman who looks a lot like the Hermit when freshly groomed. It is a large black and white and was taken in the late 60's-early 70's. He is sitting on a wooden bench with an old lobster trap in front of a cedar shingle building. He is wearing muddy wellington-type boots and trousers. An equally grimey jacket, a bow tie and a bowler-like hat on his head. He has amazingly large, weathered hands, piercing eyes and a trimmed full white beard. I bought the portrait at a country auction several years ago because I liked it. My son and I had affectionately referred to him as "Mom's boyfriend or Mom's last chance to go steady." It is awe inspiring. I had it taken out of the frame by a professional today who confirmed that it is an original and has been dry mounted. No signatures of any kind appear. Any ideas, folks?

Dana Mckinney		07-Jun-2007 03:32
Hermit of Manana A movie Documentry was just done about him..A google search would probably have it listed..

Marianne Grant		28-May-2007 00:03
My dad was the lighthouse keeper on Monhegan Island from 1952 to 1954, it is where my life began. I lived my first year in what is now the museum. My family has a spot on the wall in the long hallway, with pictures of mom and dad and us kids. My dad is Paul Baptiste. My husband and I have brought our children out to the Island and they love it as much as I do. Thank you for the beautiful pictures on your site. Marianne Grant

Marianne Grant		28-May-2007 00:00
My dad was the lighthouse keeper on Mohegan Island from 1952 to 1954, it is where my life began. I lived my first year in what is now the museum. My family has a spot on the wall in the long hallway, with pictures of mom and dad and us kids. My dad is Paul Baptiste. My husband and I have brought our children out to the Island and they love it as much as I do. Thank you for the beautiful pictures on your site. Marianne Grant

Guest		05-Jun-2006 17:56
The fairy houses are one of my favorite parts of Monhegan magic!! May the tradition of building these wee structures go on forever. Priscilla from Boulder, CO

Odom		25-Jan-2006 18:57
I love the photograph of the island. I have spent my summers and several winters out there! I particularly enjoy the photos of the red house with white picket fence. It is where I lived!

Walter Nebikeer		10-Nov-2005 15:39
Hello: I forgot to mention that on one trip I met and had lunch with the Heermit of Manana Island when he was visited by a relative from Massachusetts. Is there any information on him? Walter Nebiker

Walter Nebiker		10-Nov-2005 15:37
Hello: I visited the island several times in the 1970s, staying at the Trailing Yew, which was enjoyable, th food good, and they provided a sandwich lunch, which I had when I walked aroound the southern part of th island and along - up sand down- the rugged easstern part of the island, not depicted here. On my first trip we met Zero Mistel and his "miniature" dog walking on the path. I believe that Jamie Wyeth was there once when I was also. A lovely place, indeed. Walter Nebiker Warren, RI

roberta		13-Jul-2003 23:39
I thoroughly enjoyed your gallery! Thanks for taking me on a photographic tour of the island. I loved your Edward Hopper composition. Roberta

ac		11-Jul-2003 15:31
Interesting. Well done. Thank you Beth.

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