Dover-Foxcroft, ME

Dover-Foxcroft is the seat and largest town of Piscataquis County, near the geographic center of Maine. The 2020 census counted 4,422 residents. The hyphen tells the basic story: Dover grew on the south side of the Piscataquis River, Foxcroft on the north, and the two communities joined in 1922. River power once drove lumber, grist, flour, and woolen mills, and the watercourse still separates and connects the two sides of town. Today, the county-seat role, schools, arts, and seasonal events share the same compact valley.

The river still sets the town's line. RSU 68 runs SeDoMoCha schools in town, Center Theatre hosts performances on East Main Street, and the Maine Whoopie Pie Festival brings bakers, vendors, music, and visitors to the Piscataquis Valley Fairgrounds each June. The town's calendar also includes a canoe race, Homecoming, the county fair, and Hometown Holidays. State Routes 6, 7, 15, 16, and 153 converge on a place that remains both a county service center and a river town.