Asa’s World Tour of Maine continues with a visit to Calais, Maine! Located along the St. Croix River which separates the United States from Canada, it was named after Calais, France, in recognition of the assistance the French gave us during the American Revolution. However, rather than pronounce it the French way, “Cal-lay,” Mainers have put their own spin on it by saying “Cal-less.”
Asa: You mean just across the river is New Brunswick, Canada?
Chuck Billy: Yes, that’s correct. We are looking at St. Stephen, New Brunswick, Canada.
Chuck Billy: Come along, I want to show you the Calais Waterfront Walkway, which is a 1.5 mile trail that follows the route of the former Maine Central Line. In fact Calais is where the first railroad was built in Maine in 1832 to serve the thriving lumber industry.
Chuck Billy: You can also still find traces of wharves that once lined the waterfront. Calais had an active shipping and shipbuilding industry in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
Asa: What’s this building on my left?
Chuck Billy: That is the Wabanaki Culture Center and Museum and Maine Visitor Center. Mom highly recommends folks stop in and view this interesting exhibit of artifacts, historical displays and works of art of the Passamaquoddy and Penobscot Native American Tribes. Additionally, there is a touch tank with local sea creatures. Maybe that’s why dogs aren’t allowed inside? But I digress…
Chuck Billy: As we continue along the waterfront, above us is the bridge that leads to a border crossing into Canada.
Asa: Wait? If we were on the bridge we could cross into Canada for my world tour?
Chuck Billy: Well yes, but Mom and Dad didn’t bring their passports, and I think we’d need our vaccination paperwork to visit.
Chuck Billy: Now let’s pause here while I tell you about the St. Croix River that has a tide which rises an impressive 26 feet, making Calais the perfect port for deepwater vessels.
Asa: Yes, yes, that’s interesting, but let’s go back to that border crossing. You mean right over there is where I could cross to put on a concert for my Canadian friends?
Chuck Billy: Well yes, it is one of three border crossings between the US and Canada located in Calais, Maine. But we are really not prepared to visit, nor is New Brunswick ready for one of your shows.
Asa: I have an idea! I saw a stage by the Wabanaki Culture Center and Museum. If I sing loud enough, all of my Canadian Friends will hear me!
Thank you for joining us on this stop on Asa’s World Tour of Maine! If you would like to visit, the Calais Waterfront Walkway allows dogs on-leash, and parking is available in a lot on North Street at the trailhead. We have another stop to share from our fall Downeast adventure on Asa’s World Tour of Maine, but that is a story for another day.
