Peabody-Fitch Woods is a 252-acre forest with trails surrounding the fields of Bridgton Historical Society’s Narramissic Farm. The woods and trails are available for public use year round. The property was originally a part of the historic Peabody-Fitch Farm and is available to the public for walking, hiking, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, nature observation, hunting, and ATV and snowmobiling on designated trails.
Peggy's Pasture Loop departs from the trailhead at the parking lot. This universal access trail loops a half mile at the edge of the woods around a field on a six-foot wide, gravel surface. There is a gentle slope up to the far end of the field and then back down. (Taking a right from the trailhead is recommened to do the loop counter-clockwise, to best enjoy the views!) Three benches spaced at equal intervals provide places to rest.
The Quarry Trail departs from the south end of Peggy's Pasture Loop; follow the blue blazes on the trail departing from Peggy's Pasture Loop at the top of the field. The trail is generally flat, although it is steep in some sections. There are roots and rocks on the trail near the quarries. From the trailhead out, around the loop, and back again makes for a total distance of about 1.7 miles.
GUIDELINES
HISTORY
The original stewards of the land were the Abenaki (the western-most tribes of the Wabanaki Confederacy), and more specifically the Pigwacket and Ammoncongan. These indigenous peoples were displaced from the Lake Region of Maine by colonial settlers.
The Peabody-Fitch Farm was established in 1797 by one of Bridgton’s first settlers, William Peabody. Peabody established a granite quarry for the home and farm buildings. The quarry remains intact on the southwestern corner of the parcel. Stone walls indicate both animal pastures and cultivated lands. At least one road crossed the property, coming from the John Peabody farm to today’s Narramissic farm and on to points west in Denmark and Bridgton. In 1938, Margaret Monroe purchased the property to use as a summer home. After her death in 1986, the home, barn, and fields were donated to the Bridgton Historical Society while the forestland was left to her daughter, Peg Normann.
In August 2019 Loon Echo Land Trust purchased the forest from Peg’s estate after a major fundraising effort. The house and barn is maintained by Bridgton Historical Society and is open for tours Tuesday-Saturday from 11am - 3pm through August 15. The woods are available for public use year round and free of charge. Read more about the historic farm on BHS’s website.
For additional information, please visit the Loon Echo Land Trust website, or contact:
From Portland and points south, head north on US-302 to ME-117 on the left. From the center of Bridgton, head south on US-302/ME-117 to where ME-117 breaks off from US-302 on the right. Go 0.8 miles on ME-117 and turn left onto ME-107. Go 2.4 miles and take a sharp right onto Ingalls Road. Go 1 mile to Narramissic Road on the left, and then a quarter mile to the end of Narramissic Road. The trailhead is located at the parking area next to and to the right of the Naramissic Farm Historic House. The lot is large enough for a bus, with a gravel surface, and there is one designated ADA parking space.
Success! A new password has been emailed to you.
