"Down East" or "Downeast" is a term for parts of eastern coastalNew England andCanada, particularly theU.S. state ofMaine and Canada'sMaritime Provinces, an area that closely corresponds to the historical French territory ofAcadia. The phrase apparently derives from sailing terminology: sailors from western ports saileddownwind toward the east to reach the area.
A person from this area may be called a "down-easter." Within Maine, the phrase may refer specifically to the state's easternmost regions, also calledDowneast Maine.
The Downeast Maine National Heritage Area was established in the National Heritage Area Act in 2022.[1] TheNational Heritage Area will help preserve more historic and cultural sites inHancock andWashington counties.[2][3]
The origin of the phrase "Downeast" is typically traced to nautical terminology referring to direction, rather than location. In the warm months most suitable for sailing, theprevailing winds along the coast of New England and Canada blow from the southwest, meaning ships saildownwind to go east. As such, the northeastern stretches were said to be "Downeast" in relation to major western cities such asBoston.[4][5] Correspondingly, sailors spoke of going "up to Boston" from Downeast ports, a phrase still common in Maine, despite the fact that Boston is around fifty miles to the south of Maine.[6] The term can be used as an adverb, adjective, or noun. TheOxford English Dictionary traces the earliest known use in print to 1825. The phrase "down-easter", meaning a person from "Downeast", appeared in print in 1828.[7]
The phrase "Downeast" is used in several ways. Most broadly, it refers to areas from northeasternNew England intoCanada'sMaritime Provinces.[4][7][8][9][10] Sargent F. Collier wrote that Downeast extended fromMaine into Canada as far asChaleur Bay. This area is similar to the boundaries of the historical French colony ofAcadia; Collier regarded this as a cultural legacy of the former colony.[10] According to Maine authorJohn Gould, Downeast is "a never-never land always east of where you are". The term is relational, withBoston being the traditional referent for determining what is "Downeast". As such, sailors going from one port in Maine to another nearby may have said they were going "down Maine" or "east'ard", reserving "Downeast" for farther points.[11]
WithinNew England, "Downeast" often refers specifically toMaine, especially the coastal areas.[12][13] The phrase has widespread use in the state; Maine's largest monthly magazine is titledDown East.[14]Amtrak named its passenger train service between Boston andBrunswick, Maine theDowneaster.[15] The term "Downeast" provided the name for a prominent type ofsailing ship developed in Maine in the later 19th century, theDowneaster. Downeasters were a modification of the earlierclipper, with new lines and rigging enabling it to carry substantially more cargo. Primarily used to transport wheat and other goods fromCalifornia to European markets, Downeasters were characteristically built in Maine, and their captains often came from the state. A significant part of Maine's maritime legacy, they were among the last prominent sailing ships built beforesteamships came to dominate the industry.[16] While steamships may have supplanted sailing ships in some contexts, this prominence just before the decline led Maine boatbuilders to remain in demand for sailing yachts and motor yachts; a common modern design influenced by coastal Maine's ubiquitous lobster boats is made by several manufacturers under names resembling 'Downeaster'.[citation needed]
In Maine, "Downeast" may refer more narrowly to the easternmost section of the state along theCanada–US border. This area, also known as "Downeast Maine" or "Downeast Maine", lies on the coast roughly between thePenobscot River and the border, including ruralHancock andWashington counties and the towns ofDeer Isle,Bar Harbor,Machias,Jonesport, andEastport.[5][12] This was among the last parts of the state settled by Europeans. Due to its thankless climate it saw little settlement by the French, and British colonists arrived only after French control ended in 1763. Initially attracted by the availability of land for farming, the early British settlers soon turned to fishing to survive; fishing remains a significant economic driver. Largely due to its inhospitable climate and remoteness, Downeast Maine remained one of the state's least developed areas throughout the 20th century.[5] In more recent years, Downeast Maine and the Greater Portland area have emerged as an important center for thecreative economy,[17] which is also bringinggentrification.[18]
In Canada, "Down East", often written as two words, refers to theMaritime Provinces:New Brunswick,Nova Scotia, andPrince Edward Island.[4][9]Newfoundland and theGaspé Peninsula ofQuebec are sometimes included.[10] The term gave its name toDown East fiddling, which developed in the Maritimes and has become one of the most prominent styles ofCanadian fiddling. The style is closely associated with New Brunswick nativeDon Messer, who hosted a radio show on Prince Edward Island beginning in 1939 and had a wide influence over fiddle music in Canada. The Down East style is distinguished by simple playing and dance-ready rhythms.[19] InThunder Bay andNorthwestern Ontario, "down east" refers to southern Ontario.[20]
Augusta (capital) | |
| Topics | |
| Society | |
| Regions | |
| Metropolitan areas | |
| Counties | |
