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WELLS is a beautiful and historic town located on the southern Maine coast between Kennebunk and Ogunquit. Incorporated in 1653, the third town in Maine to do so, it was named for Wells, England. The Abenaki Indians had called it "Webhannet", which means "at the clear stream", a reference to the Webhannet River. Wells originally included what is now Kennebunk. Kennebunk seceded from Wells in 1820, the same year that Maine became a state. Wells also included Ogunquit, which by act of legislature in 1913 became a village within Wells and then in 1980 became a separate town. Wells celebrated its 350th anniversary in 2003.
With a year round population of about 10,000, Wells is comprised of sixty-two square miles and has several different sections with interesting names. The most southern beach area of Wells is Moody Beach, next is Wells Beach and the most northerly beach is at Drakes Island. To the west are High Pine, Wells Branch and the Merriland Ridge area. Together, these areas make up the Town of Wells! It is blessed with over seven miles of oceanfront, much of it sandy beaches and a nationally recognized estuarine reserve. The beaches are wide and flat making them great for walking or jogging as well as playing in the sand or building sand castles. Wells is also known for its antique shops, used and collectible bookstores and an antique auto museum.
Tourism plays an important part in the livelihood of the town. Visitors will find a wide selection of fine hotels and motels, campgrounds, restaurants, gift and antique shops, and recreational facilities. In addition, there are many bed and breakfasts in the area which offer a unique experience for visitors. Harbor Park at the end of Harbor Road, situated in a natural sand vale surrounded by beach grass and wild sea roses, is a great place for a picnic or family outing. There's a large gazebo, pavilion and observation deck that overlooks Wells Harbor. During the summer, this is the location for festivals and other community events including live entertainment at the gazebo every Saturday night (free). Fishing is also popular in Wells, from any of the beaches, the Wells breakwater, town dock (at high tide) and on town jetties. Pollock, mackerel, stripers, flounder and crabs are plucked from the sea here by kids and striped bass, bluefish and sea run brown trout are landed from shore by surf casters and saltwater fly fishermen. Serious fishermen may want to take one of several fishing charters offered from Wells Harbor.
A seasonal trolley system connects lodging places with beaches, restaurants and attractions and meets the Ogunquit trolley system at the Ogunquit Plaza on Route One. This makes it easy to get from Wells to the nearby town of Ogunquit, Marginal Way and Ogunquit beaches.
Wells is a great place with a variety of things to do both indoors and out. The miles and miles of beaches are no doubt the biggest draw but there are also nature preserves, wildlife refuges, cruises for outdoor lovers, antique browsing, an antique museum and shopping for those who feel like doing something inside.
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