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Bath,
Maine, Will Shower You With Old-Fashioned Character
Downtown Bath, Maine (photo by Eric H.) by Eric H. The feeling of walking down Front and Centre Streets, in downtown Bath, Maine, serves as a joyful reminder of whatBath, on the other hand, looks like a coastal "It's a Wonderful Life"- type community with incredibly strong-looking, well-preserved, 19th century brick buildings, as well as period street lighting, and brick sidewalks to stroll the peaceful friendly small-city center. Bath, a truly underrated Maine travel destination, really seems more like a charming small-town than a city, which is validated by its just-over 9,000 population. Additionally, with its presence on the Kennebec River, Bath offers travelers and residents pleasant scenery, the type of water views that helps make southern coastal Maine so special. In Bath, the "City of Ships," you'll find shops and restaurants that belong to only Bath, yet have a familiar ring from another era -- perhaps this is what it was like strolling a downtown in the 1930s or 1940s. For starters, there's Reny's Department Store that sells just about everything at discount prices, the independently-owned Wilson Drug Store, Bath Books carrying over 15,000 books, Stantons Footwear, Sweet Delights for the sweet tooth, and many antique shops. The list of one-of-a-kind stores goes on and on, reflective of the way Bath has thrived through the years by refusing to give in to economic adversity, or big money taking away its personality. Perhaps this is why Bath has been named "one of the best small cities" and the National Trust for Historic Preservation honored Bath in 2005 as one of as a "Dozen Distinctive Destinations." Bath also offers, according to one local, some fine restaurants and coffee houses in its downtown district. The pleasant employee at Reny's had recommended as a first-stop J.R. Maxwell's (122 Front St., Tel. (207) 443-2014), just a few doors down. A perfectly restored 1840 former hotel, Maxwell's, with its high ceilings and handsome brick and wood look, serves a wide variety of seafood, steak and chicken dishes at very reasonable prices. I had a crab melt with swiss cheese that was out-of-this-world, along with a mixed greens salad with a great vinegarette dressing. The most impressive thing about Maxwell's, however, goes well beyond its excellent food: you get a sense of history and community pride eating in the presence of a historical building. If it were another city, Maxwell's might have been "sent out to sea" in the form of an empty storefront, or seedy bar. Here, in Bath, Maxwell's resonates with a vibrancy as strong as its community. Maxwell's is indicative of what Bath is all about as the recipe for community success is simple: hold onto a proud past, celebrate a continuous renaissance, and look forward to a bright future. Bath Iron Works, founded in 1884 as a shipbuilding complex, sails on proudly today as part of General Dynamics with a mission to design, build and support complex surface combatants for the U.S. Navy. The Maine Maritime Museum (243 Washington Street, Tel. 207-443-1316), located on the Kennebec River, celebrates Maine's maritime heritage and culture. Then, there are the spectacular coastal homes on tree-lined streets that remind us that Bath is strong and should remain that way for years to come. After all, neighborhoods, a thriving downtown, and a powerful industrial base have been the catalysts to keeping our eastern seaboard communities alive since the Industrial Revolution.
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