481 US Route 1
Pembroke, ME 04666
Dollar General | 2017 Construction · Retail Property For Sale

Pembroke is a town in Washington County Maine between Deeny’s and Cobscook Bay. Washington County is sometimes referred to as “Sunrise County” because it includes the easternmost point in the United States, and claims have been made that Washington County is where the sun first rises on the 48 contiguous states. Fishing and wildlife are important parts of life in Washington County as it has four national protected areas for wildlife refuge. Pembroke, Maine was settled in 1774 by its first pioneer, Hatevil Leighton, followed by Edmund Meagher and William Clark in 1780 who settled near Cobscook Falls - known today as Reversing Falls. Incorporated February 4th, 1832, Pembroke was named for a city in Wales. With one of the finest harbors in Maine, Pembroke too became a shipbuilding center. Vessels were constructed here as early as 1825. By 1859 there were seven shipyards operating. Most schooners constructed here were used either by the coasting trade or fisheries. Pembroke also had a stone factory, three sawmills, one gristmill, four shingle mills and four lath machines. Near the head of tide stood the Pembroke Iron Company, established in 1832 and by 1856 producing almost 5,000 tons of iron spikes, rivets and nails a year. One of the most notable people born in Pembroke, Maine was Dr. Charles Best who co-discovered insulin with Dr. Frederick Banting. In 1923, Dr. Banting and J.J.R. Macleod were awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine for that discovery. Dr. Banting was so outraged that Dr. Best was overlooked he gave Best half of his prize money. Dr. Best later became an adviser to the medical research committee of the United Nations World Health Organization. Pembroke, like many seaside communities, has a fishing-based economy that is also supported by tourism along its large coastline. To go along with the robust fishing economy, the blueberry crop plays a major role in the local economy. Washington County has the deepest cargo port, the longest coastline and produces the most lobster and clam landings. Natural resources play a major role in the economic activity in Washington County and Blueberries from the county provide nearly 85% of the world’s supply.