History

Seventy-five years later, Samuel de Champlain charted the promontory, but not until 1604, following exploration by John Smith, was the land given its name in honor of Princess Elizabeth, sister of Charles I of England.

Events of the years that followed make an intriguing story: the 1632 establishment of Richmond's Island as a fishing and trading post, the struggles of settlers in small isolated groups as they began fishing and farming, conflicts between immigrants and the regionÕs Native Americans, occasional pirating from the seas, the Revolutionary War...These and other events marked the first two hundred years of colonial history in the region.

Originally a part of Portland (named Falmouth at the time), the citizens petitioned for and obtained their own government in 1765, thus including all the area lying south of Portland Harbor and east of the Spurwink River. Commercial and industrial growth in the north end of the town, nearest the harbor (now South Portland), was in sharp contrast to the continuing rural character of the southern tip of the Cape. In 1895, the two sections agreed to separate, and from that date forward the southern end of the original town became the present town of Cape Elizabeth.

The twentieth century history of the community has been one of gradual residential growth. The majority of inhabitants now work in the Greater Portland area, and only very few of the working farms still exist.

Unique Characteristics

It is the birthplace of legendary movie director John Ford.

Joan Benoit Samuelson, the first winner of the Women's Olympic Marathon was raised in Cape Elizabeth and graduated from Cape Elizabeth High School. The town has honored her with a life-size bronze sculpture, by Cape Elizabeth sculptor Edward Materson, in front of the Thomas Memorial Library on Scott Dyer Road.

Town students typically rank first in Maine in statewide academic achievement examinations.

The Town contains Portland Head Light, the most photographed lighthouse in the world.

Edward Hopper's painting, "Lighthouse Hill", showing Cape Elizabeth Light at Two Lights, is the country's most famous lighthouse painting. It is part of the collection of the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The largest employer in town is the Cape Elizabeth School Department.

The Town has more parkland and permanently dedicated open space than any other community in Cumberland County.

Cape Elizabeth has the longest growing season in Maine.

The Cape Elizabeth Refuse Disposal Area is the center of political campaigning in town and United States Senators have been seen there helping citizens empty material out of their vehicles.

The Town runs a gift shop and operates a non-denominational historic church.

The Town has no railroads and the closest Interstate Highway is 5 miles away.