- Cliff Island, Maine
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A welcoming sign to visitors.
NASA satellite image of Cliff Island, MaineCliff Island is an island in Casco Bay Maine. It is part of the city of Portland, Maine. As of the 2000 census, the island had a year-round population of approximately 60 people. In the summer, the island's population grows to about 200, despite the fact that it is the only year-round inhabited island in Casco Bay with no paved roads. Originally named Crotch Island for its H-shape and natural harbors, the name was changed to end mail mix-ups with the other Crotch Island in Maine.
In the early 20th century the island's inns were a draw for summer tourists. There are no hotels any longer, but many homes are available for weekly rentals or longer. While there are no public services, residents enjoy a community hall, a tennis court, baseball field, and playground. The residents are served by a USPS Post Office, fire department, and one-room school for elementary grades.
In 1987 the feature film The Whales of August was filmed entirely on location on Cliff Island. The buoy that was used in the film as a transitioning tool is now on display outside of the Casco Bay Lines Ferry Terminal. The film was among the last for stars such as Bette Davis, Lillian Gish, Vincent Price, and Ann Sothern. The cottage where the film was made is still owned by Frank Pitkin's family whose grandmother, Josephine Pitkin, built the cottage named "Pitkin Point", in 1910.
Transportation
Cliff Island residents (also known as Cliff Islanders) travel back and forth to the mainland via the Casco Bay Lines ferry service. It takes an hour and a half. Cliff Islanders buy groceries in Portland. There is a gas station and a small store on the island. Golf carts and electric carts are most often used for transportation. A barge ramp was added in 2007 to ease delivery of trucks and heavy items.
See also
- List of islands of Maine
External links
Casco Bay Major Islands Peaks Island • Long Island • Cliff Island • Chebeague Island • Cushing Island • Great Diamond Island • Little Diamond Island • House IslandThe City of Portland, Maine General Geography Bramhall Hill · Cliff Island · Cow Island · Cushing Island · East End Beach · Fore River · Fore River Sanctuary · Great Diamond Island · Jewell Island · Little Diamond Island · Mackworth Island · Munjoy Hill · Peaks IslandNeighborhoods Arts District · Back Cove · East Bayside · Deering Center · Munjoy Hill · Old Port · Portland Financial District · West EndStreets and Squares Commercial Street · Congress Street · Eastern Promenade · Exchange Street · Franklin Street · Longfellow Square · Monument Square · Western PromenadeSports teams Current: Maine Red Claws · Portland Phoenix FC · Portland Pirates · Portland Sea Dogs Former: Maine Mariners · Portland Blue Sox · Portland Pilots · Portland WaveMetropolitan area Greater PortlandEducation University of Southern Maine · Maine College of Art · University of New England · Portland, Maine schools · Casco Bay HS · Catherine McAuley HS · Cheverus HS · Deering HS · Portland HS · Waynflete SchoolCoordinates: 43°41′46″N 70°06′28″W / 43.69611°N 70.10778°W
Categories:- Islands of Portland, Maine
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