Stop 3: On the River

For Indigenous People, the Saco River and others like it were culturally important as a source of food, a thoroughfare for travel, and a deep respect for the water.

Indigenous paddlers traveled both upstream and downstream to trade and for seasonal migrations.

And though it might not have had the same cultural meaning for the colonists, the river was just as central to the growing cities of Biddeford and Saco.

Like many waterfront communities throughout what was becoming New England, the Saco River played a vital role in developing the colonial economy of the region, which carries through to the working waterfront of today.

The activity on and around the water can still be seen today. Standing along the banks of the river, you'll see boats of all shapes and sizes coming and going on the Saco River.