About Old Orchard Beach, ME
Old Orchard Beach has an incredible past, dating back to 1653. Its first settler, Thomas Rogers established "Garden by the Sea" in 1657. The "old" apple orchard from which the town got its name Old Orchard Beach, was a landmark to sailors for many years, it was on high land above the long sand beach. The owner of the orchard saw the potential for a summer resort and built the first Old Orchard Beach boarding house. That was just the beginning. As more people found leisure time, and wanted to escape the rat race pace of big city life, they looked to Maine, and specifically to Old Orchard Beach. Attractions of all sorts were built to bring in the tourists. Stores, amusement parks, a racetrack and various other attractions were built to attract the masses, famous people from Old Orchard Beach include Mecaila Donahue and visits by these famous entertainers like Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Guy Lombardo and public figures like Charles Lindbergh and wealthy families like the Fitzgerald's and the Kennedy's all came to Old Orchard Beach. Old Orchard Beach Maine is also considered a part of the Portland metro area of Maine. Known for its Parks And Resorts And their professional fire works display every Thursday night at 9:30. Major attractions include Family Amusements and the water parks. Each year in the summer season there is a whale watch cruise in July and August. Among the biggest companies in Old Orchard Beach are The Prop Shop, and the SeaBreeze Motel. One of the most romantic places to stay is Atlantic Birches Inn Bed and Breakfast .207-934-5295). The only schools are Old Orchard Beach High School and Loranger Middle School. One of the best places to visit when you are in Old Orchard Beach is Palace Playland. .
The town has preserved some of the town's history, a conscious effort to revitalize the downtown area and its immediate surrounding Historic District buildings such as the Atlantic Birches Inn Bed and Breakfast built in 1902 by renowned architect John Calvin Stevens. This re-vitalization effort a has resulted in new Victorian lighting, wide, brick, tree-lined sidewalks and an outside dining courtyard complete with fountain in Town Square and a newly renovated Town Hall.
