The Old Orchard Beach area began appearing in historical records around 1653. The area was first officially settled in 1657 by Thomas Rogers who had arrived in the Goosefare Brook area in 1636 and who dubbed it “The Garden By The Sea”. The town takes its name from Rogers’ abandoned apple orchard. Rogers’ family left the area and relocated in Kittery, Maine after an Indian attack destroyed the Rogers’ homestead. The namesake orchard survived for approximately 150 years as a beacon of land to sailors in the Atlantic Ocean.

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Old Orchard Beach has been promoted as a tourist destination since 1631. In 1829, the first Public House opened, and in 1837 tourists paid $1.50 each to stay at a local farm. Railroad service between Boston and Portland opened in 1842 which provided a robust flow of tourists. Today, many visitors from the Canadian provinces can be found vacationing in the area. You’ll often hear French being spoken during the summer season.

Taken by History of Old Orchard Beach Pier