The town of Westbrook is located 5 miles from Portland and was originally called Saccarappa after Saccarappa Falls on the Presumpscot River. The name Saccarappa is the Native American word meaning “Falling toward the rising sun.” A few name changes later it took on its current name, after Col. Thomas Westbrook, one of its early settlers. Like many Maine towns that sprang up on the state’s rivers, Westbrook was a mill town with the falls powering its growth. Mills at one time produced everything from lumber to grain bags to shoes and cotton fabrics. Then a paper mill was built, later known as the S. D. Warren paper mill, which is now owned by Sappi.

The town has a waterfront park nestled in the center of downtown, and you can find three river walks there ranging from two-thirds of a mile in length to one-and-a-half miles, with one of them being accessible to the handicapped. The shopping district is located right next to the river and there are many wonderful places to eat. There have been a lot of renovations done in the business district to encourage more people to visit and businesses to relocate there.

Although golfing season is coming to a close there are two clubs to keep in mind for next year: Twin Falls Golf Club on Spring Street and Rivermeadow Golf Club on Lincoln Street. There is Corsetti’s Market on Bridgton Road, Panera Bread on Main Street and always the Historic Mill District.

For more information on things to do in and around Westbrook check out the local Chamber of Commerce at www.portlandregion.com/. For more information on the history of Westbrook visit the Westbrook Historical Society and view its Web site at http://www.westbrookhistoricalsociety.org/index.html.

Prides Corner Drive-In
651 Bridgton Road
Westbrook
797-3154 )
This is one of the five remaining drive-ins still in operation in Maine. It closed for the season on Oct 12th, but will be open again next spring, so make it a point to visit next year. Keep our remaining drive-ins alive!

Storey’s Garden Center
610 Bridgton Road
797-2677
www.storeysgarden.com
Storey’s is a Westbrook landmark. Visit on Friday and Saturday nights in October and celebrate their Harvest Festival, and on Wednesday evenings join them and carve a pumpkin while you’re there.

The Frog & Turtle — A Gastro Pub
3 Bridge St.
591-4185
www.thefrogandturtle.com
Visit this pub to relax and grab a brew after doing the Riverbank Walk, and stay for dinner. Check out their Web site for upcoming concerts and events.

Tortilla Flat Mexican Restaurant
1871 Forest Ave.
Portland
797-8729
Not quite in Westbrook but close enough to stop in to this restaurant that has been family owned for 32 years and features home-cooked Mexican food. You’ll find the ambiance warm and welcoming.

Smiling Hill Farm and Dairy
781 County Road
775-4818
www.smilinghill.com
Not just another farm, the Knights are the 12th generation involved in this farm. They bottle their milk in reusable glass bottles to preserve the taste of the milk and help the environment. Try out all their products. There are Saturday and Sunday tractor rides to the pumpkin patch until Oct 31st.

Riverbank Park
Main Street
Center of downtown
Westbrook
I have only been to this park twice, but both times there were weddings going on. One in February during a raging blizzard. They have a great playground for the kids and you can park here and walk the Riverbank Walk.

Riverbank Walk
A two-thirds-of-a-mile river walk that stretches from Bridge Street to the park. An easy paved walk along the river in downtown Westbrook.

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