The onetime “Toothpick Capital of the World” is a sleepy Maine town perfectly situated to enjoy the natural beauty in the western part of the state.
Discover beautiful scenery, small-town charm and even a fascinating history of toothpicks in Strong. Located in Franklin County, Strong is a great jumping-off point to explore western Maine’s famed scenic destinations.
Find Strong on a bend of the meandering Sandy River, a tributary of the Kennebec River. In warmer months, take a dip in one of Sandy River’s many swimming holes. Go kayaking or canoeing through its gentle rapids. Try your luck fishing for trout in season.
Strong was once known as the “Toothpick Capital of the World” thanks to Forster Mill. The mill, which opened its doors in town in 1887, produced billions of toothpicks in its decades of operations. At one point, it was producing 95 percent of America's wooden toothpicks. Although the mill closed its doors at the turn of the 20th century, its claim to fame lives on.
Learn more about Strong’s past at the Vance & Dorothy Hammond Memorial House, which is the museum of the Strong Historical Society. The white wooden house, open by appointment only, is a fount of information about the area and its history.
From Strong, drive just 11 miles (17.7 kilometres) south to Farmington, the county seat of Franklin County. Visit the town’s many historic sites of interest. Learn about the life of famed opera singer Lillian Nordica at Nordica Memorial Homestead, browse through the bookshelves in the Beaux Arts-style Cutler Memorial Library and discover more about the area at the Farmington Historical Society’s Titcomb House.
Enjoy the breathtaking beauty of the Rangeley Lakes Region, which is about a half-hour drive northwest. Consisting of six major lakes plus hundreds of smaller lakes, ponds and rivers, the region is a dream for those who love the outdoors.
Take a memorable ride on the Sandy River and Rangeley Lakes Railroad. Catch the old-fashioned steam locomotive for a scenic trip and guided tour on Maine's largest original two-foot-gauge railroad.
Visit Strong throughout the year. In winter, bundle up and prepare for possible heavy snowfall. Note that the town is small and doesn’t have many shops or restaurants. However, what it lacks in amenities it more than makes up for in scenic beauty.
