MAINE ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS • July 9, 2020
In 1848, the Rev. Marcus Keep established what is still called Keep Path, running from the Wassataquoik Tote Road to Katahdin Lake then on to Katahdin. The trail followed old cutting roads to the south shore of Katahdin Lake then to the foot of the mountain where it followed Avalanche Brook up what would become called Keep Ridge. The trail became the favored entryway to the Katahdin region starting from the east. In recognition of the work Rev. Keep had done in establishing the trail to Katahdin on February 19, 1859 the Maine Legislature gave him 200 acres on land at the outlet of Katahdin Lake where he hoped to build the "Katahdin Mountain House," a grand hotel for explorers. ~ Eric Hendrickson