Another19th century Wabanaki camp on Rockland Harbor discovered; historic resources eroding away.

Penobscot Bay Watch Ron Huber and UMaine student Theodore Berry examined a wooded ravine on the northwest edge of Rockland Harbor on April 13, 2008. The mission: look for signs of historic and archaeological resources in the little-visited pocket valley. The initial look led them to believe a summertime Indian camp similar to the first ravine examined may well have occupied the site in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. If confirmed, it would be the second Indian campsite of that era to be found and examined in Rockland Harbor.

Listen to mp3 audio excerpts (links A thru N, below) from the visit to the second ravine . Click here for photographs from the visit. Summary. Huber and Berry began at the top of the ravine at the corner of Route One and Waldo Avenue. They traveled down the west side of the ravine past "A" the auto parts store, and down to Rockland Harbor, then traveled up the west side of the ravine to the top of the ravine at Route 1/Waldo Avenue intersection. The audios follow that route A-N in the final recording "N". Red star is site of old firepit. Yellow star is the site of camp in first ravine.

A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - J1 - K - L - M - N

Maine State Archaeologist Arthur Spiess said the initial findings at the first site appear to confirm the recollections of retired local fisherman Herbert Hoche who visited the trading post-type camp several times as a child in the 1940s. The Indians, apparently Penobscots and Passmaquoddies, camped at the locations in the NW corner of Rockland Harbor each summer, clamming and selling handmade basketry and other craft items to tourists passing their camp en route to the Samoset Rsort, as well as to area residents.