Old Orchard Beach, Maine, USA, Earth
Created | Updated Mar 8, 2006
Old Orchard Beach is tourist town located in southern Maine which is in the extreme northeast of the United States of American on Earth.
The official version of how the town was named references an old apple orchard supposedly planted by one of the first Caucasian settlers in the area. The other natural landmark, Googins Rocks, is also purported to be named for an early settler.
In reality, the "old orchard" was a stand of juniper trees which were used in the production of gin in the late 1600's. The early settlers were notorious for holding beach parties during which they would consume copious amounts of gin. The parties were often held at the "rocks", the only interruption of the beach's miles of white sand. Partygoers would often lose their footing in the sand or be knocked about by waves while wading, so goo-gin was invented. The semi-solid goo-gin would not spill as easily as liquid gin and soon became the beverage of choice at beach parties.
In the mid 1700's, Old Orchard Beach and Googins Rocks became a tourist attraction. Homesteaders from hundreds of miles away traveled to the beach to frolic and drink goo-gin. Today, the town is still a summertime tourist mecca with most visitors coming from the northeastern parts of the United States and the eastern parts of Canada. Besides the beach itself, current attractions include amusement parks, numerous food stands, and dozens of bars and pubs. The jello shot has replaced goo-gin.
The official version of how the town was named references an old apple orchard supposedly planted by one of the first Caucasian settlers in the area. The other natural landmark, Googins Rocks, is also purported to be named for an early settler.
In reality, the "old orchard" was a stand of juniper trees which were used in the production of gin in the late 1600's. The early settlers were notorious for holding beach parties during which they would consume copious amounts of gin. The parties were often held at the "rocks", the only interruption of the beach's miles of white sand. Partygoers would often lose their footing in the sand or be knocked about by waves while wading, so goo-gin was invented. The semi-solid goo-gin would not spill as easily as liquid gin and soon became the beverage of choice at beach parties.
In the mid 1700's, Old Orchard Beach and Googins Rocks became a tourist attraction. Homesteaders from hundreds of miles away traveled to the beach to frolic and drink goo-gin. Today, the town is still a summertime tourist mecca with most visitors coming from the northeastern parts of the United States and the eastern parts of Canada. Besides the beach itself, current attractions include amusement parks, numerous food stands, and dozens of bars and pubs. The jello shot has replaced goo-gin.
