Report on the August 15th Cruise Down the River
by Jan Hill
The kayak/canoe trip following the route of the historic Minnie Ha Ha River Boat down the Saco River from West Buxton to Bar Mills was awesome! The river boat was in service shortly after the railroad reached Bar Mills in 1855, carrying lumber from the mills at Moderation Falls to a wharf in Bar Mills where it was loaded onto railroad cars for further transport. When it didn't carry a commercial load, the river boat functioned as a pleasure craft, ferrying people to picnics up and down that part of the Saco.
Our BHHS paddle was a leisurely 2.5 hour adventure with an historical, ecological and social focus. At one rest stop, we learned from Sue Schaler, one of our very informative kayakers, about some of the flora, fauna and soils along the river banks. We mostly had the river to ourselves, except for the wildlife....cranes, turtles, fish and assorted birds. Brent Hill informed us of historic milestones along the river, including where the Buxton and Hollis woolen mills were in West Buxton until 1938 and 1936 respectively, the location of the steamboat landing at West Buxton and where Smith's Bridge (all wood early toll bridge) was located, as well as the history of Rolfe's Island. We heard the humming of the corona from the 345 kV transmission lines as we floated under them and saw the remains of the Sorting Boom above Bar Mills. We enjoyed seeing a number of houses/docks along the river and noted Haines Meadow Brook as a tributary. We passed by the earliest known campsite in Maine, about 9,000 years old! We noted, too, a smaller boom for the steam saw mill above Bar Mills and paddled between the scenic railroad piers in the river. (The tracks connecting Buxton and Hollis were taken out circa 1962).
Finally, we waved hello to those awaiting us at our landing spot at Burt and Barbara Pease's property above the 1956 dam, joining other BHHS members and friends for a "scrumptious" BBQ hosted by Burt and Barb in their wonderful barn across Depot Street. About 20 photos were on display there, including the Minnie Ha Ha! Our thanks to Burt and Barb for hosting this very special event! Rick Martin took photos of our river trip and Janice Lane took photos of the BBQ, available on our website. Those participating want to do another section of the river next year! Perhaps you will join us?
The kayak/canoe trip following the route of the historic Minnie Ha Ha River Boat down the Saco River from West Buxton to Bar Mills was awesome! The river boat was in service shortly after the railroad reached Bar Mills in 1855, carrying lumber from the mills at Moderation Falls to a wharf in Bar Mills where it was loaded onto railroad cars for further transport. When it didn't carry a commercial load, the river boat functioned as a pleasure craft, ferrying people to picnics up and down that part of the Saco.
Our BHHS paddle was a leisurely 2.5 hour adventure with an historical, ecological and social focus. At one rest stop, we learned from Sue Schaler, one of our very informative kayakers, about some of the flora, fauna and soils along the river banks. We mostly had the river to ourselves, except for the wildlife....cranes, turtles, fish and assorted birds. Brent Hill informed us of historic milestones along the river, including where the Buxton and Hollis woolen mills were in West Buxton until 1938 and 1936 respectively, the location of the steamboat landing at West Buxton and where Smith's Bridge (all wood early toll bridge) was located, as well as the history of Rolfe's Island. We heard the humming of the corona from the 345 kV transmission lines as we floated under them and saw the remains of the Sorting Boom above Bar Mills. We enjoyed seeing a number of houses/docks along the river and noted Haines Meadow Brook as a tributary. We passed by the earliest known campsite in Maine, about 9,000 years old! We noted, too, a smaller boom for the steam saw mill above Bar Mills and paddled between the scenic railroad piers in the river. (The tracks connecting Buxton and Hollis were taken out circa 1962).
Finally, we waved hello to those awaiting us at our landing spot at Burt and Barbara Pease's property above the 1956 dam, joining other BHHS members and friends for a "scrumptious" BBQ hosted by Burt and Barb in their wonderful barn across Depot Street. About 20 photos were on display there, including the Minnie Ha Ha! Our thanks to Burt and Barb for hosting this very special event! Rick Martin took photos of our river trip and Janice Lane took photos of the BBQ, available on our website. Those participating want to do another section of the river next year! Perhaps you will join us?