Baxter State Park and Katahdin

Images of America: Maine

by John W. Neff, Howard R. Whitcomb

The character of Baxter State Park and the great mountain at its heart can be powerfully conveyed through two words: forever wild. The mountain was known as Ktaadn, or "the greatest mountain," to native peoples who first frequented Maine's interior northern forest. They were followed by colonial adventurers who explored its cirques and massive granite walls, by those who studied its geology and flora and fauna, and later by loggers who came to extract the virgin timber from nearby valleys. Finally, recreational climbing and camping led to an effort to protect the rugged beauty of these mountains, lakes, and valleys. When calls for preservation went unheeded, former governor Percival P. Baxter, beginning in the 1930s, purchased some 201,000 acres over a period of 30 years and gifted them to the state. Today, Baxter State Park is the guardian of this vast wilderness area for all to enjoy. Baxter State Park and Katahdin draws on rich collections of archival images dating back to the 19th century.

130 pages, Hardcover

First published May 21, 2012

Reviews

[Marta E C R · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to read this book again after finally achieving my goal (at age 68) of backpacking to Russell Pond, and also visiting Wassataquoik Lake on a day hike the next day. This book contains a very impressive photo of the South Branch of the Wassataquoik Stream, over which (in the photo) there was for a short while in the 1960s a cable system to get hikers across what is now a ford. I think I would have preferred that technique rather than falling into the stream as I forded it.

[Ruth York · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another book read for a research paper. I liked this one as well, most likely because I absolutely love Mount Katahdin. I have always felt some sort of affinity to it, so any book about it would be liked by me. A lot of historical photographs of the mountain and Baxter State Park. Many of them of places I have been to and enjoyed myself.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cool to see photos showing the appearance of the park at various moments in history.