This image of a local candidate for a Stephen King novel was taken from the road on January 7.
I’ve heard travelers assume that Maine was one of the country’s poorest states based on seeing a fair amount of “scenery” such as this here. But, they’re wrong.
Leighton Archive Image
Based on official state “poverty rates” (percentage of residents in poverty), Maine ranks 19th best among the states, with 11.6 percent of our residents in poverty. This is better than Pennsylvania (23rd), California (26th), and New York State (34th). Neighboring New Hampshire ranks first in having the fewest impoverished people (7.6%).
So, why are there so many rundown structures along our roads? One theory is that Maine is transitioning from a small farm economy to tourist and other significant economies.
Leighton Archive Image
Small farms are being abandoned and many of their structures (especially barns) can’t meet the modern mortgage, insurance, and safety standards necessary for selling them. The costs of reconstruction are higher than the loss of just leaving the property with the hope that someone from New York City or Los Angeles will buy it and clean things up for summer vacations. (Brooklin, Maine)