Fun with Maps ISSUE 2025-046

By Steve Kovacs (Introduction by Chuck Gibson)

LOVELAND, OH (March 13, 2025) – In today’s edition of Fun with Maps, we learn a little history about the New England states.

THE PINE TREE STATE

On March 13, 1677 the Massachusetts Bay Colony purchased the area which we now know as the state of Maine from the heirs of Sir Ferdinando Gorges.  Gorges was an English naval commander who helped settle the new country but never set foot on the land himself.

This purchase, amounting to about $6000 today, solidified Massachusetts as the leader among the New England states.  Many people think of Maine as one of the 13 original colonies, which the area was, but as a part of Massachusetts.

Maine remained part of Massachusetts until 1820 when it became the 23rd state, entering as a free state as part of the Missouri Compromise.

French settlers called the area Arcadia, which is now the name given to the National Park in the state.

Maine is the country’s leading producer of blueberries and toothpicks and actually has a longer coastline than California.

This Johnson map of Maine is by Johnson from 1866.

Steve Kovacs and his wife Theresa reside in Loveland, Ohio where they raised their two children. He is a passionate collector of antique maps.

Visit his antique map boutique world-on-paper online. Watch for his daily feature Steve Kovacs: Fun with Maps here on Loveland Beacon.