Mussel Ridge Historical Society

The Mussel Ridge Historical Society in Owl’s Head began meeting in 1960. Its major project has been the protection and restoration of the Old Homestead, which is at 453 Ash Point Dr. You are cordially invited to visit our work in progress from 2 to 4 PM on Wednesdays in July through September.

The Homestead is the site of the Society’s annual pot luck community picnic, which this year will be held on July 24th from 12 to 3 pm. The picnic is free and open to everyone. The Society will provide hot dogs, coffee, lemonade, Ice cream, craft demonstrations and games for the young and young at heart.  Attendees are asked to bring a salad, appetizer or casserole to share.  This year, the fiddlers will return to entertain everyone with their lively music.

A new major project is to protect/restore the two remaining buildings in town that once served as one-room schoolhouses.  The former Village School is across from the fire station and the former Head of the Bay School is at the corner of Ash Point and North Shore Drives. The latter is more commonly known as the Grange Hall.

The MRHS meets the second Wednesday of the month, usually at the Owl's Head Community Building at 7pm.  Visitors are always welcome.

Brief History of Owl’s Head

Many believe Owl’s Head derived its name from sailors who in 1759 observed the tall headland in the lighthouse area, thinking that it looked like the neck and head of an owl. Others feel the name is of Indian origin expressed in their language by the word, "Mecadacut", meaning "Owl's Head".

Owl's Head was originally part of Thomaston and separated from South Thomaston in 1921. The first town meeting was held at the Village School across from the present fire station. There was always a great amount of sociability in Owl's Head, with dances, parties and other activities. Often stores were jointly operated with the post offices at Owl's Head Village and Ash Point, creating daily social activity as well as the passing along of information.

The beautiful lighthouse and beach areas drew tourists who usually arrived in Rockland by train or the Boston boat, often staying at Owl’s Head’s several inns and boarding houses. Cottages were built along the beautiful beach at Ash Point, Crescent Beach, Hendrickson's Point, Ginn Point, Holiday Beach and the Owl's Head harbor area where the Owl's Head Inn was located. The old Inn has been a private residence since the late 30’s.

Mussel Ridge Historical Society (MRHS) Preserving the History of Owl¹s Head & the Mussel Ridge Islands