The governmental seat for sprawling Washington County is the town of Machias, or “bad little falls” in the river where it meets an arm of the Atlantic. Well, others have suggested the Passamaquoddy term would be more accurately rendered as “nasty” or something I suspect is much worse. From what I’ve seen, going over the cataract at the tidal line in a canoe or any other kind of boat would have been fatal. Not that I want to tempt anyone to prove me wrong, like those who have actually gone over Niagara Falls in a barrel.

That said, let’s look at some more facts about the town and its neighboring East Machias, Machiasport, and related neighborhoods.

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1. It’s pronounced “maaah-chEYE-us,” the central syllable running along the lines of a hardened SHY.
2. Washington Academy in East Machias is not only among the oldest boarding schools in the country, but thanks to publicly-funded tuition students from neighboring towns, it’s also the largest high school in the county. It does attract an elite from abroad. Go Raiders.
3. The state university branch campus is often ridiculed but definitely working toward an upgrade.
4. An initial English attempt at settlement in 1633 was rebuffed by a French attack, creating a gap of more than 120 years.
5. Machias is the birthplace of the U.S. Navy, and its inaugural victory was won, in part, with pitchforks. I’m not kidding. Look it up. I’ll even suggest it as a plot for a comic opera. Notably, Passamaquoddy Natives were instrumental on the colonists’ side.
6. It briefly flourished as a lumber exporting center in the late 1800s.
7. ATV riders will find a great entry to the Downeast Sunrise Trail here. The path follows an old railroad line.
8. The flea market atop the causeway on U.S. 1 can be delightful, especially Earle’s fresh seafood truck toward weekends. I do have to wonder how the reconstruction of that crossing will affect tradition.
9. Its emergency room and hospital are often favored over those in Calais. I won’t get into the details.
10. We do love the general store and natural foods emporium. As for the tiny movie theater? Still on our to-do list. Best wishes.