Friends of Merrymeeting Bay [FOMB] led efforts to protect the property and retained a 4 acre section of the archaeological and high value habitat site until a conservation easement could be completed for the entire approximately 31 acres most of which was conveyed to TAC a couple of years ago.
This site is considered the most important prehistoric archaeological site in Maine and also has the largest stand of the rare plant spongy arrowhead seen in the Bay area. Between 4, and 9, years ago, when river levels were lower than now and rising, there probably was a major rapids or waterfall at Goodwin Narrows across from the northern end of Little Swan Island in the Kennebec.
With the falls hampering anadromous fish runs; native Americans developed a major seasonal fishing camp on this adjacent site. The Dresden site is reported to be the largest and most intensively occupied site of its age known in the State of Maine, and has produced more stone tools than any other Early to Middle Archaic site in New England.
The 4 acre section FOMB retained until now contains the high ground overlooking portions of the Dresden site with confirmed intact prehistoric archaeological features. This section also contains confirmed intact 18th century archaeological features, and historical maps show several structures on the property at the time of the Revolutionary War. Had FOMB not intervened, the site would have been developed into an 8 home subdivision.
No disturbance of the land surface is permitted. Photo: Point of View Helicopter Services.
