Known as The Gateway to Maine, Kittery is the state’s oldest and southernmost town. Situated between the Atlantic Ocean and the Piscataqua River, it’s home to the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard on Seavey Island, and includes Badger’s Island, the seaside district of Kittery Point, and even seven islands at the Isles of Shoals 10 miles out to sea. Located just 60 miles north of Boston and 50 miles south of Portland, Kittery is a community of contrasts with a quiet waterfront community, the shipyard, a major retail center, and various cultural and recreational opportunities.
With an amazing history dating back to 1623, Kittery was first settled by fishermen, hunters, trappers, and timber workers. Incorporated in 1647, Kittery bills itself as “the oldest incorporated town in Maine”. It’s home to many historic homes and fine architecture -- including the Sir William Pepperrell House, built in 1733, and the Lady Pepperrell Mansion, built in 1760. The John Bray House, built in 1662 is believed to be the oldest surviving house in Maine. The First Congregational Church in Kittery Point, started in 1714, is housed in the oldest church building in continuous use in the State of Maine.
The Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, which today repairs nuclear submarines, has a proud history of shipbuilding dating back to the early 1800’s. The 74-gun ship Washington, launched in 1815, was built there, as was the Kearsarge, famous for sinking the Confederate raider Alabama during the Civil War.
Kittery is probably best known for having some of the best outlet shopping in New England. There are more than 120 outlet stores along a one mile stretch of Route One, as well as the famous Kittery Trading Post. Thanks to the outlets, the town is bustling year-round. Kittery Foreside in recent years has become one of the most desirable restaurant destinations in the Seacoast area. Small artisan shops and boutiques offer plenty of “buy local” shopping. A farmer’s market has become an increasing draw, perhaps because it’s located near one of the best microbreweries in the area, Tributary Brewing Co.
The Kittery Community Center is the town’s jewel. Created using the shell of an old elementary school, it boasts a state-of-the-art gymnasium, a workout facility, a nursery school & rooms for recreation department programs. The STAR Theater offers live theater, lectures and musical performances. The room can also be used for wedding receptions and small conferences.
Kittery Point juts out as a peninsula and offers some of the area's finest oceanfront, oceanview, waterfront, and other distinctive properties and estates. Dotted with beautiful seaside homes and picturesque coves, it retains the unspoiled charm of a historic fishing village. Enjoy the scenic drive through Chauncey Creek to Seapoint Beach, and Fort McClary - a 19th century military fort that protected the mouth of the Piscataqua River and Portsmouth Harbor. Fort Foster Park, originally a harbor defense, is home to three small beaches. Located on Gerrish Island, it offers great views of Whaleback Light, Portsmouth Harbor Light and Fort Constitution.
Kittery’s rural, maritime flavor and up and coming Foreside area combined to make Down East Magazine name the town one of the 10 Best Places to Live in Maine.
Town Statistics
Population: Approximately 9,649
Land area: 18.5 square miles
County: York
County Seat: Alfred
Tax rate: $12.90/ thousand for 2020-2021
% of Value: 100%
Municipal Services
|
Office/Department |
Phone Number |
|
207-475-1328 |
|
|
207-439-6807 |
|
|
Fire Dept. (emergency) |
9-1-1 |
|
Fire Dept. (non-emergency) |
207-439-2262 |
|
Harbormaster |
207-439-0912 (dock) 207-439-0452 (office) |
|
Police Dept. (emergency) |
9-1-1 |
|
Police Dept. (non-emergency) |
207-439-1638 |
|
207-439-0333 |
|
|
207-439-3800 |
|
|
207-439-1553 |
|
|
207-439-0452 |
|
|
Trash Collection |
Private collection only--see dump hours above |
|
207-439-1128 |
|
|
207-439-4646 |
Public School Information
|
Office |
Phone Number |
|
207-439-6819 |
|
|
207-439-5896 |
|
Name of School |
Grades Covered |
Phone Number |
|
K-3 |
207-439-1707 |
|
|
4-8 |
207-439-2572 |
|
|
Traip Academy (High School) |
9-12 |
207-439-1121 |
Private/Parochial Schools
|
Name of School |
Grades Covered |
Phone Number |
|
Berwick Academy, South Berwick, ME |
pre-K-12 |
207-384-2164 |
|
Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, NH |
9-12 |
603-772-4311 |
|
St. Thomas Aquinas H. S., Dover, NH |
9-12 |
603-742-3206 |
|
Portsmouth Christian Academy, Dover, NH |
Pre-K to 12 |
603-742-3617 |
|
St. Patrick School, Portsmouth, NH |
Pre-K to 8 |
603-436-0793 |
|
Saint Mary Academy, Dover, NH |
K to 8 |
603-742-3299 |
|
The School Around Us, Kennebunk, ME |
K-8 |
207-967-3143 |
|
The New School, Kennebunk, ME |
9-12 |
207-985-3745 |
Other Contact Information
|
Office, Dept., etc. |
Phone Number |
|
207-363-4422 |
|
|
* (serving Kittery, Eliot, So. Berwick, The Yorks, and Cape Neddick) |
|
Area Hospitals
|
Hospital |
Phone Numbers |
|
York Hospital (York, ME) |
207-363-4321, 877-363-4321 |
|
Wells Regional Medical Community (Wells, ME) |
207-646-5211, 877-363-4321 |
|
South Berwick Medical Services (South Berwick, ME) |
207-384-8130 |
|
Portsmouth Regional Hospital (Portsmouth, NH) |
603-436-5110, 800-685-8282 |
|
Wentworth-Douglass Hospital (Dover, NH) |
603-742-5252 |
|
Exeter Hospital (Exeter, NH) |
603-778-7311, 800-439-3837 |
|
Southern Maine Medical Center (Biddeford, ME) |
207-283-7000 |
|
Maine Medical Center (Portland, ME) |
207-871-0111 |
|
Goodall Hospital (Sanford, ME) |
207-324-4310 |