 Fort Kent is a town in Aroostook County, incorporated on February 23, 1869 from D'Aigle and Fort Kent Plantations. It lies across the St. John River from the small town of Clair, in Madawaska County, New Brunswick, Canada.
A Fort, named for Governor Edward Kent, was constructed to assert Maine's authority and protect the settlers during the bloodless Aroostook War. The blockhouse remains today.
Populated in large part by descendents of Acadians fleeing British persecution, French is frequently the language of choice.
The community still has a significant focus on farming, especially potatoes, with the added benefit of beautiful views of the St. John River and St. John Valley, known locally as The Valley.
The University of Maine at Fort Kent supports the Acadian Archives, which helps preserve and interpret the culture of the area.
U. S. Route 1, which extends to Florida, ends (or begins) here.
From Maine: An Encyclopedia (www.themaineencyclopedia.com)
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