Kittery (Images of America)

Very few towns in the United States have the honor of being the first one incorporated in their state. Kittery, incorporated in 1647, has that honor for the great state of Maine. For over 300 years, this small seaside town has not deviated far from its shipbuilding roots. Like many towns of its day, Kittery was founded by a few prominent families whose presence is visible to this day. The rich architecture created by these people, coupled with various intriguing stories of the area, makes for a fascinating visual tour of the past. Kittery’s strong ties with shipbuilding are obvious, and the growth and development of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, the nation’s oldest continuously operating shipyard, has created a strong foundation for the community. With ships comes the military, and its presence in Kittery is another contributing member to the town’s history. From John Paul Jones to Teddy Roosevelt, the stories and memories of past military and military-related events are nothing short of incredible.