Surry, ME Road Trips

From George J. Varney's A GAZETTEER OF THE STATE OF MAINE, published in Boston, MA in 1886: "Surry is situated on the west bank of Union River bay, in Hancock County. On the north-east it is bounded by Ellsworth, on the south-west, by Blue Hill, on the west, by Orland and Penobscot. The town has an area of about 21,025 acres. Toddy Pond forms part of the boundary between Surry and Penobscot, and on the line between Surry and Ellsworth are the two Patten ponds whose outlet is Patten Stream Fishways were constructed to these ponds in 1872, and the ponds have since been stocked with alewives and salmon. … The manufactories of Surry are a lumber, shingle, spool and two stave mills. Formerly there was a large business done in building small vessels, but it is now very much reduced. Surry has two mining companies, the Blue Hill Bay and the East Surry Company. Surry was Township No. 6, in the grant to Marsh and others. It was first occupied by the French at Newbury Neck. The first English settlers were Symonds, Weymouth and James Flye. The next settlers were John Patten, a Mr. Hopkinson, Andrew Flood, Wilbrahim Swett, Matthew and James Ray, Samuel Joy, Isaac Lord, Hezekiah Coggins and Leonard Jarvis. Mr. Jarvis represented the eastern district in Congress from 1831 to 1837. Up to 1820, about 13,000 acres had been secured to settlers and by quiet possession titles, when Mr. Jarvis bought the remainder. In 1800, Surry included that portion of Ellsworth known as Ward 5; but in 1829 it was re-annexed to Ellsworth. There was a population of 289 as early as 1790.

The town has views of Acadia National Park from scenic Newbury Neck, Morgan Bay and other parts of Surry.

Morgan Bay Zendo, 532 Morgan Bay Rd. Zen Buddhist temple at Weekly Sunday meditation from 9 to 11AM. The Zendo holds several retreats spring through fall.

The Lobster Shack, 1076 Newbury Neck Rd, ☏ +1-207-667-1955. Seasonal.

The Gatherings Campground, ☏ +1-207-667-8826. Just off Route 172, directly on the ocean.

The nearest major airports are the Hancock County - Bar Harbor Airport (BHB IATA) near Ellsworth (about 13 miles) and Bangor International Airport (BGR IATA) in Bangor (about 30 miles). Enter Maine on Interstate 95 if you are coming from southern New England or U.S. points beyond. The standard routes to Downeast Maine are to either follow I-95 to the capital, Augusta, and then to break east on state highways, or to leave I-95 around Brunswick, Maine, and follow U.S. 1 north along the coast toward Ellsworth and thence to Surry. The drive along U.S. 1 is more scenic, but also generally slower. Tourist traffic in Surry is relatively heavy in the summer months, but things become very quiet traffic-wise between October and April.