
Palermo is the western most town on Route 3 in Waldo County. Palermo was settled in 1778 and incorporated on June 23, 1804 from the plantation of Great Pond Settlement. Palermo is strategically located between 3 major cities in Maine - Augusta (the State Capitol), Waterville and Belfast. And we are almost equal distance from Bangor and Portland.
Palermo is a rather typical rural community in the State of Maine. There is no industry and no storefront type businesses. The town boasts a small US post office, a volunteer fire department, town office, and K-8 Consolidated School that is part of school Union 133 (Windsor, Somerville & Palermo).
Palermo is fortunate to have a 1500 acre deepwater lake that is fed by the Sheepscot River. The Sheepscot River travels all the way to the ocean in Wiscasset. Sheepscot Lake's (one of Maine's Great Ponds) deepest spot is close to 200 feet and the lake is generally over 30 feet deep with many locations in the 90 to 150 foot range.
Ice fishing and snowmobiling are very popular lake activities during the winter season. Fishing, sailing and waterskiing are the most popular Spring and Summer activities with kayaking becomming more popular each year.
Loons can still be seen and heard on the lake during the Spring and Summer months. Typically the lake will produce one or if lucky two baby loons each year. At least one pair of Bald Eagles live on the lake and can be seen fishing during Summer months. Herons, ducks and Canada Geese are also seen around the lake. Red Tail Hawks and Great Horned Owls are indiginous to the area.
Beaver are common but have been controlled by trapping. Otters and racoons ply the shoreline in search of the shellfish found in the shallow waters.
Deer, moose, wild turkeys and fox have all been observed on Bald Head Island - an 80 acre peninsula that juts out into Sheepscot. This island is attached to the mainland by a narrow dirt causway. There is a State maintained public boat lanuch located on Route 3 next to the Sheepscot Fish and Game Club building. The Fish and Game hold a very popular Ice Fishing Derby every February.
Historical data from "Maine: An Encyclopedia" ( www.themaineencyclopedia.com )
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