Sanford is located in the far southern reaches of Maine, and is the most populated city in York County. Sanford is most famous for its combination of lakes and woods – it makes this area of the country very popular with campers.

In the past, Sanford was like many other Maine towns – it was sustained by the textile industry. Sanford became a hub of the textile industry for a while thanks to Thomas Goodall, who started Goodall Mills – the mill was known for being able to produce tightly-woven, brightly-colored fabric very quickly, and orders streamed in from the world over. The Goodall Mill had a serious effect on the demeanor of the town, and the Goodall family was full of upstanding citizens who spent a lot of their profits on the betterment of the town. The Goodall Park, a sports stadium that seated 784 people is now a treasured historic site in the town – there’s even a bronze statute of Goodall in the town square!

The emphasis on textiles continued in Stanford until Burlington Mills bought Goodall Mill in 1954 and the mills moved down south. The town struggled for a bit but managed to diversify – today many of the old mills have been reconstructed into airplane part plants. Sanford has been called the “town that refuses to die” by Life Magazine, due to the innovativeness of its populace when it came to finding jobs once the textile business had moved on, and this quality is inherent in today’s decedents of the town as well. If you come to Sanford, you’re likely to end up in some very interesting conversations with colorful characters.

For those who would just like to get down to camping, there are several options available for you to choose from. Be sure to check out Number One Pond, Gowen Park, and MacDougal Pond for some of the best scenic opportunities in the area. There’s plenty of hiking and interesting sights to see in this part of the country – whether you’re looking to learn a little more about the industrial history of the state or want to watch the moon rise over a forested lake, Sanford, Maine has plenty to entertain and educate you with.