Eliot, an old New England town with a rural landscape, is ideally situated along the northern shore of the Piscataqua River, which forms the Maine-New Hampshire boundary. Located just minutes from historic Portsmouth, NH, it is surrounded by Maine’s southernmost town, Kittery, the quickly growing town of South Berwick, and the picturesque town of York.
Originally part of Kittery, Eliot was known as the Upper Parish, but incorporated as an independent town in 1810. It has since been the site of many significant events in the history of New England. Eliot was home to the Hanscom Shipyard, where the clipper ship Nightingale was built. The 747-ton Elizabeth Hamilton and the Nightingale were launched from Eliot’s shores, as were numerous smaller craft. It has its own unique style with many fine examples of New England architecture among its homes and public buildings. Buildings of historical interest include the William Fogg Library, the William Fogg House, the Dr. Willis Homestead (1725), and the 1768 Libby Home, a former roadside tavern. Eliot was the site of the first Quaker Meeting House in 1776, and it is also the international home of the Baha’I faith.
Eliot, along with its neighbor South Berwick, comprise the Marshwood School District. These two picturesque towns share long histories in ship building, brick making, farming, lumbering and fishing and actively used the Piscataqua River to move their commodities via gundalows to market. You can see a replica of a gundalow during the summer months at various wharfs throughout the region.
Eliot retains the flavor of a classic New England village, offering a charming village green and excellent schools. Residents enjoy Eliot’s natural charm throughout the year at its many parks. Boating, cross-country skiing, ice skating, skate-boarding, volleyball, and horse shoes are just a few of the many leisure activities offered. You can launch your boat into the Piscataqua River at "Dead Duck", Eliot’s public boat launch. Although formally called the Eliot Boat Basin, to locals, the beach is affectionately known as Dead Duck. Offering a large covered pavilion, picnic tables, playground, large grassy field, and well- kept walking trails, Dead Duck is a favorite local hot spot. Walking along the trails, you can see the ruins of what appears to have been a small house, as well as a small cemetery with graves dating back to the Civil War. In addition, Dead Duck hosts Eliot's antique car show each year. Frost Tufts Park offers a playground, basketball court, tennis courts, baseball field, and picnic tables for public use, as well as a Pavilion available for rent. During, the last weekend in September, the Eliot community celebrates its heritage with Eliot Festival Days which includes a parade, road race, chili-fest, fireworks at Dead Duck, food booths, and games. The Friends of the William Fogg Library offer an annual October Fest in early October. This popular Eliot event features exciting children’s activities, great food, a pie contest, and a silent auction.
Town Statistics
Population: Approximately 6,298
Land area: 20.3 square miles
County: York
County Seat: Alfred
Tax rate: $14.70 / thousand for 2020-2021
% of Value: Approximately 95%
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Office/Department |
Phone Number |
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207-439-1817 |
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|
207-439-1813 |
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Fire Dept. (emergency) |
9-1-1 |
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Fire Dept. (non-emergency) |
207-439-1253 |
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Police Dept. (emergency) |
9-1-1 |
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Police Dept. (non-emergency) |
207-439-1179 |
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Public Works |
207-439-9451 |
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Parks and Recreation Dept. (Eliot Community Service Dept.) |
207-451-9334 |
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207-439-1813 |
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Private collection or dump |
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Water District (Kittery) |
207-439-1128 |
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Sewer District (Kittery) |
207-439-0452 |
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207-439-9437 |
Public School Information
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Office |
Phone Number |
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School Superintendent's Office (SAD 35-Eliot and So. Berwick) |
207-439-2438 |
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Adult Education |
207-384-5703 |
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Name of School |
Grades Covered |
Phone Number |
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Pre-K-3 |
207-439-9004 |
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4-5 |
207-384-4010 |
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6-8 |
207-439-1399 |
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9-12 |
207-384-4500 |
Private/Parochial Schools
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Name of School |
Grades Covered |
Phone Number |
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Berwick Academy, South Berwick, ME |
pre-K-12 |
207-384-2164 |
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Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, NH |
9-12 |
603-772-4311 |
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St. Thomas Aquinas H. S., Dover, NH |
9-12 |
603-742-3206 |
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Portsmouth Christian Academy, Dover, NH |
Pre-K to 12 |
603-742-3617 |
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St. Patrick School, Portsmouth, NH |
Pre-K to 8 |
603-436-0793 |
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Saint Mary Academy, Dover, NH |
K to 8 |
603-742-3299 |
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The School Around Us, Kennebunk, ME |
K-8 |
207-967-3143 |
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The New School, Kennebunk, ME |
9-12 |
207-985-3745 |
Other Contact Information
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Office, Dept., etc. |
Phone Number |
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Greater York Chamber of Commerce |
207-363-4422 |
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N/A |
Area Hospitals
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Hospital |
Phone Numbers |
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York Hospital (York, ME) |
207-363-4321, 877-363-4321 |
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Wells Regional Medical Community (Wells, ME) |
207-646-5211, 877-363-4321 |
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South Berwick Medical Services (South Berwick, ME) |
207-384-8130 |
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Portsmouth Regional Hospital (Portsmouth, NH) |
603-436-5110, 800-685-8282 |
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Wentworth-Douglass Hospital (Dover, NH) |
603-742-5252 |
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Exeter Hospital (Exeter, NH) |
603-778-7311, 800-439-3837 |
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Southern Maine Medical Center (Biddeford, ME) |
207-283-7000 |
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Maine Medical Center (Portland, ME) |
207-871-0111 |
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Goodall Hospital (Sanford, ME) |
207-324-4310 |