About Freeport Maine (courtesy of Wikipedia)
Freeport is a town in Cumberland County, Maine, United States. The population was 7,800 at the 2000 census. Known for its numerous outlet stores, Freeport is home to L.L. Bean, the annual Maine Winterfest, and Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park.
Settled about 1700, the town was part of North Yarmouth until set off in 1789. Freeport developed as four villages, all of which are now part of the National Register Harraseeket Historic District:
Mast Landing -- at the head of tide on the Harraseeket River, timber was shipped from here, particularly for use as masts. The estuary was dammed to provide water power for a gristmill, sawmill and fulling mill, with modest manufacturing and woodworking.
Porter's Landing -- a community formerly involved in shipbuilding.
South Freeport -- the largest of the waterfront villages, once with four shipyards. Other industries included fishing, canning and farming. In 1903, the Casco Castle & Amusement Park was built here by Amos Gerald to encourage travel by trolley cars, although the hotel would burn in 1914.
Freeport Corner -- an inland village of farming and trade. The 1849 entrance of the railroad helped this village develop into a commercial center, which it remains. In the 1800s, fabric was sent from New York and Boston to be made into clothing by local piece workers.
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