Welcome to Waterville, Maine, the “Elm City”.

This tour was created to promote the historic assets of downtown Waterville. The Waterville Main Street Design Committee hopes that after the tour you will have a better understanding of the City's importance in creative, artistic, architectural and industrial developments in Maine and the world. The guide not only points out interesting buildings and historical sites but also provides some stories about people and events associated with those sites. Whether you are new to the area, visiting for the first time, or returning, we think you will find the information educational, interesting, and historically significant.

The sites are listed by street address so you can begin or end wherever you please. The Redington House (Waterville Historical Society) and the Waterville Public Library have scheduled visiting hours. Time your visit right because these sites are worth seeing. Other sites are either private or occupied by businesses you can visit during regular store hours. Who knows what you might find?

We would like to give special thanks to the City of Waterville, Colby College Libraries, Maine Historic Preservation Commission, Waterville Historical Society, the Morning Sentinel , Waterville Public Library, Elm City Photo, and building owners and historians young and old who have helped us to highlight Waterville as a destination for historic exploration and discovery. Its history includes many famous people and some that were infamous. Come and see for yourself.

We are proud of our City and hope that you enjoy your tour.

Shannon Haines
Executive Director

Start the tour from the beginning
OR use the table below to choose a specific property.

Download a map of sites.