Window Cleaning & Exterior Services in Belgrade, Maine

History of Belgrade, Maine

Belgrade was settled in the 1770s and incorporated as a town in 1796. Originally known as part of the larger Washington Plantation, the community was renamed Belgrade, reportedly after the capital of Serbia, though the exact reason for the choice remains unclear. The town developed around the shores of several pristine lakes, including Great Pond and Long Pond, which provided water power for early mills and an abundance of fish for settlers.

Throughout the 19th century, Belgrade was primarily an agricultural community, with farms spread across the gently rolling terrain between its many lakes. The arrival of the railroad in the region during the late 1800s transformed Belgrade into a summer resort destination. Wealthy visitors from Boston, New York, and other cities began building camps and lodges along the lakeshores, creating a tourism economy that would become central to the town for the next century and beyond.

The Belgrade Lakes region gained national literary fame through the stories of E.B. White, who spent summers at Great Pond and drew inspiration from the area for some of his writing. Today Belgrade remains a beloved summer destination, with generations of families returning each year. The lakes support a vibrant recreational economy centered on fishing, boating, and swimming, while the year-round community maintains a quiet, rural character.