Maine State Route 35
Encyclopedia
Maine State Route 35 runs the course of western Maine, from Bethel
to Kennebunk
. It passes through Oxford
, Cumberland
and York
Counties. It is known in its lower sections for both its unusually windy course as well as its notoriously poor paving, as a result of winter frost heaves. Its northern section leads to the famous ski resort, Sunday River. The route crosses the Presumpscot River
and a well preserved section of the Cumberland and Oxford Canal
approximately one mile west of U.S. Route 302
in North Windham.
There is currently a state of confusion regarding where exactly Route 35 exists between the junction at Hunt's Corner Road and Route 5, and the town of Bethel. Historically, Route 35 leaves Route 5 at this point and takes a more easterly route toward Bethel, ending up being signed as Vernon St at the junction of Main Street in Bethel. Current (2006) maps from the American Automobile Association and Mapquest still show this route as Route 35. However, in reality, as of July 4, 2006 Route 5 is signed as both Routes 5 and 35 all the way to U.S. Route 2
in Bethel. The question of when the "old" Route 35 was switched to follow Route 5 is an open issue. Personal experience from November 1, 2004 indicated that the "old" Route 35 was barely being maintained, so one could speculate that the decision to realign this state route to double up with Route 5 happened roughly near this time.
Bethel, Maine
Bethel is a town in Oxford County, Maine, United States. The population was 2,411 at the 2000 census. It includes the villages of West Bethel and South Bethel...
to Kennebunk
Kennebunk, Maine
Kennebunk is a town in York County, Maine, United States. The population was 1,075 people at the 2000 census. Including Kennebunkport , the population totals 14,196 people...
. It passes through Oxford
Oxford County, Maine
Oxford County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maine with a population of 57,833 as of the 2010 U.S. census. Its county seat is Paris.Part of Oxford County is included in the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine, metropolitan New England City and Town Area while a different part of Oxford County is...
, Cumberland
Cumberland County, Maine
Cumberland County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maine. As of 2010, the population was 281,674. Its county seat is Portland, and is the most populous of the sixteen Maine counties, as well as the most affluent. Cumberland County has the deepest and second largest body of water in the...
and York
York County, Maine
York County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maine. In 2010, the population was 197,131. Its county seat is Alfred.Founded in 1636, it is the oldest county in Maine and one of the oldest in the United States....
Counties. It is known in its lower sections for both its unusually windy course as well as its notoriously poor paving, as a result of winter frost heaves. Its northern section leads to the famous ski resort, Sunday River. The route crosses the Presumpscot River
Presumpscot River
The Presumpscot River is a river located in Cumberland County, Maine. It is the main outlet of Sebago Lake.-Course:The river flows through the communities of Standish, Windham, Gorham, Westbrook, Portland, and Falmouth before emptying into Casco Bay at Falmouth...
and a well preserved section of the Cumberland and Oxford Canal
Cumberland and Oxford Canal
The Cumberland and Oxford Canal was opened in 1832 to connect the largest lakes of southern Maine with the seaport of Portland, Maine. The canal followed the Presumpscot River from Sebago Lake through the towns of Standish, Windham, Gorham, and Westbrook. The Canal diverged from the river at...
approximately one mile west of U.S. Route 302
U.S. Route 302
U.S. Route 302 is a spur of U.S. Route 2. It currently runs 171 miles north from Portland, Maine, at U.S. Route 1, to Montpelier, Vermont, at US 2...
in North Windham.
There is currently a state of confusion regarding where exactly Route 35 exists between the junction at Hunt's Corner Road and Route 5, and the town of Bethel. Historically, Route 35 leaves Route 5 at this point and takes a more easterly route toward Bethel, ending up being signed as Vernon St at the junction of Main Street in Bethel. Current (2006) maps from the American Automobile Association and Mapquest still show this route as Route 35. However, in reality, as of July 4, 2006 Route 5 is signed as both Routes 5 and 35 all the way to U.S. Route 2
U.S. Route 2
U.S. Route 2 is an east–west U.S. Highway spanning across the northern continental United States. US 2 consists of two segments connected by various roadways in southern Canada...
in Bethel. The question of when the "old" Route 35 was switched to follow Route 5 is an open issue. Personal experience from November 1, 2004 indicated that the "old" Route 35 was barely being maintained, so one could speculate that the decision to realign this state route to double up with Route 5 happened roughly near this time.