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St Francis

A quiet northern community rich in natural beauty.

438Population (2020)
30.36Square miles
1967Incorporated
North WoodsRegion

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St. Francis is a town in Aroostook County, Maine, situated along the banks of the St. John and St. Francis rivers on the border with Canada. The municipality covers a land area of 29.9 square miles. The local town office is located at 857 Main Street.

Illustration of a quiet country road lined with maple trees between open farm fields and a wooded ridge in summer

St. Francis, Maine, is a small border town located in Aroostook County along the Saint John River, about 15 miles northwest of Fort Kent. For travelers looking into St Francis Maine, this quiet municipal community is set in the far northern region of the state along the St. John Valley Cultural Byway, where both French and English are commonly spoken.

Community Profile

At the 2020 decennial census, St. Francis had a population of 438 residents, down from 485 in 2010. The town includes 228 households and 312 total housing units. According to American Community Survey estimates, the median age in town is 59.1 years, and the median household income is $32,188. The employment rate for residents aged 16 and older is 37.2%, and about 4.8% of the civilian noninstitutionalized population lacks health care coverage. Logging and forest management remain active local industries, with area logging contractors such as White Oak, Inc. based in the community.

Municipal Services and Local Government

The municipal office is located at 857 Main Street, St. Francis, ME 04774. The town office shares this address with the St. Francis Community Center & Library. Contact and municipal service details include:

  • Phone: (207) 398-3175
  • Fax: (207) 398-4342
  • Hours: Open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM; Thursday from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM; closed Monday, Saturday, and Sunday.
  • Board of Selectmen: Darrell Mitchell (1st Selectman), Mary Jandreau-Landry (2nd Selectman), and Louise Martin (3rd Selectman).
  • Town Clerk and Tax Collector: Deborah Jandreau.
  • Fire Department: Saint Francis Fire Department operates as a volunteer fire department with one station, led by Fire Chief Gerald Jandreau.
  • Water District Official: Karen Jandreau.
  • School Board Representative: Keith Jandreau, Jr.

Schools and Education

St. Francis is part of Maine School Administrative District No. 27 (MSAD 27), which also serves Fort Kent, St. John Plantation, Wallagrass, and New Canada. Students attend public schools in neighboring communities:

  • Pre-K through grade 6 students attend Fort Kent Elementary School in Fort Kent.
  • Grades 7 and 8 attend Valley Rivers Middle School in Fort Kent.
  • High school students in grades 9 through 12 attend Fort Kent Community High School.
  • High school students can also access career and technical programs at the St. John Valley Technology Center in Frenchville.
  • The nearest four-year public higher education institution is the University of Maine at Fort Kent, situated roughly 15 miles to the east.
Illustration of a calm river reflecting a glowing evening sky, with dark spruce along the far bank in summer

Outdoor Recreation

St. Francis offers multiple access points to northern Maine waterways, woods, and trails:

  • Paddling: A 154-mile wilderness canoe trip down the upper Saint John River from the Fifth Saint John Dam traditionally finishes at Saint Francis. In addition, Section 13 of the 740-mile Northern Forest Canoe Trail runs through town as canoeists transition from the Allagash Wilderness Waterway to the Saint John River toward Fort Kent.
  • Boating: The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife maintains a state-owned freshwater boat ramp directly on the Saint John River.
  • Backwoods Access: Saint Francis has a North Maine Woods checkpoint that provides entry to the surrounding managed forestlands and waterways.
  • Multi-Use Trail: The Saint John Valley Heritage Trail covers roughly 17 miles (16.9 miles) along a former rail corridor between St. Francis and Fort Kent. Used for walking, bicycling, ATV riding, and snowmobiling, the trail has a local trailhead on Sunset Drive.
  • Snowmobiling: The St. Francis Sno-Angels snowmobile club grooms local trails that link directly to Maine's Interconnected Trail System (ITS 92).

Local Landmarks and Culture

The former Bangor and Aroostook Railroad station at 1074 Main Street houses the St. Francis Historical Society, which was founded in 1964. The society preserves local heritage, antique farming and lumbering tools, photographs, military records, and genealogy resources. The site, recognized within the Maine Acadian Culture network, also features a restored railroad turntable and the town's Veterans' Memorial.

Community Events

St. Francis holds community activities throughout the year:

  • Family Fun Day: An annual summer gathering featuring a parade, live music, historical society tours, children's games, face painting, an apple pie baking contest, and a dunk tank.
  • Winter Activities: The St. Francis Sno-Angels snowmobile club hosts winter community meals along with an annual snowmobile drag race.

Transportation

Maine State Route 161 (Main Street) serves as the primary road through town. For regional travel, Aroostook Regional Transportation System (ARTS) provides demand-response bus service connecting St. Francis, Allagash, and St. John to Fort Kent on Tuesdays, and to Presque Isle on the second Wednesday of each month. Commercial passenger air travel is available at Presque Isle International Airport, situated about two hours away by car.

Illustration of a calm lake ringed by spruce and pine trees at the edge of a north woods forest in spring

History of St Francis

St. Francis was settled in the 18th century by Acadians fleeing the British along with French-speaking people from Canada. Decades later, the community was organized as a plantation on May 29, 1875, and eventually incorporated as a town on March 1, 1967.

Over the years, St. Francis served as the end of the line on the Bangor and Aroostook Railroad, which transported people, pulpwood, and potatoes until the last train departed in 1990. In 2001, donations funded the restoration of the railroad turntable and station grounds, which now house the St. Francis Historical Society.

See the history facts and their sources in Quick facts below.

Quick facts

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Population

2010 Decennial Census population
The 2010 U.S. Decennial Census recorded a population of 485 residents in St. Francis.[1]
2020 Census Population
The town of St. Francis had a total population of 438 at the 2020 decennial census.[1]
2020 Decennial Census population
According to the 2020 U.S. Decennial Census, the population of St. Francis town was 438.[2]
Median age
The median age in St. Francis town was 59.1 years according to the American Community Survey 5-year estimates.[3]
Population change (2010 to 2020)
The town's population decreased from 485 at the 2010 decennial census to 438 at the 2020 decennial census, representing a loss of 47 residents (or approximately 9.7%).[1]
Total households
There were 228 total households in St. Francis town according to the 2020–2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates.[2]
History (6)
Plantation Organization
St. Francis was organized as a plantation on May 29, 1875.[4]
Railroad Terminus History
St. Francis served as the end of the line on the Bangor and Aroostook Railroad, which transported people, pulpwood, and potatoes until the last train departed in 1990.[5]
Railroad Turntable and Station Restoration
In 2001, donations funded the restoration of the Bangor and Aroostook Railroad turntable and station grounds, which now house the St. Francis Historical Society.[5]
Settlement
St. Francis was settled in the 18th century by Acadians fleeing the British along with French-speaking people from Canada.[4]
Town Incorporation
St. Francis was organized as a plantation on May 29, 1875, and incorporated as a town on March 1, 1967.[6]
Town Incorporation
St. Francis was incorporated as a town on March 1, 1967.[4]
Government (10)
Board of Selectmen
The town's governing selectmen are Darrell Mitchell (1st Selectman), Mary Jandreau-Landry (2nd Selectman), and Louise Martin (3rd Selectman).[7]
Clerk and Tax Collector
Deborah Jandreau serves as the Clerk and Tax Collector for the town.[7]
Fire Chief
Gerald Jandreau serves as the Fire Chief for St. Francis.[7]
School Board Representative
Keith Jandreau, Jr. serves as the town's School Board representative.[7]
Town Office Address
The town office is located at 857 Main Street, St. Francis, ME 04774.[7]
Town Office Hours
The town office is open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM, Thursday from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, and closed Monday, Saturday, and Sunday.[7]
Town office location
The St. Francis Town Office is situated at 857 Main Street.[7]
Town Office Phone and Fax
The town office phone number is (207) 398-3175, and the fax number is (207) 398-4342.[7]
Water District Official
Karen Jandreau serves as the official for the Water District.[7]
ZIP Code
The municipal office and community of St. Francis are served by ZIP code 04774.[8]
Schools (6)
Career and Technical Training
High school students in the region can access career and technical education programs through the St. John Valley Technology Center, located in Frenchville.[9]
Elementary Education
Pre-K through 6th grade public school students from St. Francis attend Fort Kent Elementary School in nearby Fort Kent.[10]
High School Education
High school students in grades 9 through 12 from St. Francis attend Fort Kent Community High School.[10]
Middle School Education
Middle school students in grades 7 and 8 from St. Francis attend Valley Rivers Middle School in Fort Kent.[10]
Nearby Public University
The nearest four-year public higher education institution serving the St. Francis area is the University of Maine at Fort Kent, located about 15 miles to the east.[11]
School Administrative District
The town of St. Francis is part of Maine School Administrative District No. 27 (MSAD 27), which serves students from St. Francis, St. John Plantation, Wallagrass, New Canada, and Fort Kent.[10]
Economy (6)
Employment Rate
The employment rate for the population aged 16 and over in St. Francis town is 37.2%.[2]
Forestry and Logging Sector
Logging and forest management are historic and active local industries in St. Francis, which hosts logging contractors such as White Oak, Inc.[12]
Health Insurance Coverage
In St. Francis town, approximately 4.8% of the civilian noninstitutionalized population lacks health care coverage.[2]
Median Household Income
The median household income in St. Francis town is estimated at $32,188 according to U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey data.[2]
Total Housing Units
The U.S. Census Bureau reports a total of 312 housing units in St. Francis town.[2]
Total Population
The total population of St. Francis town, Maine was recorded as 438 according to the 2020 U.S. Decennial Census.[2]
Landmarks (5)
St. Francis Historical Society founding
The St. Francis Historical Society was established in 1964 by local residents to preserve the community's heritage, artifacts, photographs, and genealogy resources.[13]
St. Francis Historical Society Museum location
The St. Francis Historical Society is housed in the former Bangor and Aroostook Railroad station at 1074 Main Street in St. Francis.[4]
St. Francis Train Station and Turntable Restoration
St. Francis served as the end of the Bangor and Aroostook Railroad line until the last train departed in 1990, and donations were raised in 2001 to restore the railroad turntable and station grounds.[14]
St. Francis Veteran's Memorial
The town's Veterans' Memorial is located on the grounds of the former train station alongside the St. Francis Historical Society.[4]
St. John Valley Heritage Trail trailhead
A trailhead for the 16.9-mile St. John Valley Heritage Trail, which follows the historic Fish River Railroad corridor between St. Francis and Fort Kent, is located on Sunset Drive in St. Francis.[4]
Recreation (6)
North Maine Woods access checkpoint
Saint Francis is home to a North Maine Woods checkpoint providing outdoor recreation access into the surrounding managed forestlands and waterways.[15]
Northern Forest Canoe Trail terminus section
Section 13 of the 740-mile Northern Forest Canoe Trail passes through Saint Francis as paddlers transition from the Allagash Wilderness Waterway onto the Saint John River heading toward Fort Kent.[16]
Public boat launch on the Saint John River
The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife operates a state-owned freshwater boat ramp on the Saint John River in Saint Francis.[17]
Saint John Valley Heritage Trail
The Saint John Valley Heritage Trail is a multi-use rail trail running roughly 17 miles between Saint Francis and Fort Kent along a former railroad bed near the Saint John River.[18]
St. Francis Sno-Angels snowmobile network
Local snowmobile trails connecting into Maine's Interconnected Trail System (ITS 92) are maintained by the St. Francis Sno-Angels snowmobile club.[19]
St. John River canoe trip end point
The 154-mile wilderness canoe trip from the Fifth Saint John Dam down the upper Saint John River traditionally concludes at Saint Francis.[20]
Events (2)
Annual Family Fun Day
St. Francis hosts an annual Family Fun Day each summer featuring a parade, live music, children's games and face painting, an apple pie baking contest, a dunk tank, and historical society tours.[5]
Winter Snowmobile Drag Race and Club Meals
Each winter, the local snowmobile club, the St. Francis Sno-Angels, organizes a snowmobile drag race event and hosts community meals throughout the season.[5]
Culture (5)
Annual Family Fun Day
The town hosts an annual summer Family Fun Day featuring community traditions such as a parade, an apple pie baking contest, live music, and tours of the historical society.[5]
Bangor and Aroostook Railroad Turntable
The grounds of the old Bangor and Aroostook Railroad station and turntable serve as the home of the St. Francis Historical Society and are recognized as an affiliated destination within the Maine Acadian Culture network.[21]
Settlement and Acadian Heritage
St. Francis was settled in the 18th century by Acadians fleeing British forces alongside French-speaking individuals from Canada, and both French and English remain commonly spoken in the community.[6]
St. Francis Historical Society
Established in 1964, the St. Francis Historical Society maintains community artifacts, antique farm and lumbering equipment, military records, historic photographs, and genealogy resources.[22]
St. John Valley Cultural Byway
St. Francis is situated along the St. John Valley Cultural Byway, which showcases the cultural heritage, landscape, and history of the Upper St. John River Valley.[6]
Transportation (6)
Commercial airport access
Regional commercial passenger air service is accessible via Presque Isle International Airport (Northern Maine Regional Airport), located roughly two hours away by car.[23]
Distance to Fort Kent
St. Francis is situated along the St. John River approximately 15 miles northwest of the neighboring town of Fort Kent.[24]
Main thoroughfare
Maine State Route 161 (Main Street) serves as the primary highway passing through the town of St. Francis.[25]
Multi-use trail corridor to Fort Kent
The 16.9-mile Saint John Valley Heritage Trail follows the former Bangor and Aroostook Railroad corridor between St. Francis and Fort Kent for walking, bicycling, snowmobiling, and ATV use.[26]
Railroad transportation history
St. Francis served as the northern terminus of the Bangor and Aroostook Railroad until train operations ceased in 1990, after which the local turntable and train station grounds were preserved.[27]
Regional public transit service
Aroostook Regional Transportation System (ARTS) offers scheduled demand-response bus service connecting St. Francis, Allagash, and St. John to Fort Kent on Tuesdays, and to Presque Isle on the second Wednesday of the month.[28]
Services (4)
Community Center and Library
The St. Francis Community Center & Library is located at 857 Main Street.[29]
Fire Department Type
The Saint Francis Fire Department operates as a volunteer fire department with one station.[30]
Municipal Fire Department Location
The St. Francis Fire Department is located alongside the Town Office at 857 Main Street in St. Francis, Maine.[7]
Municipal Water District Contact
The Saint Francis Water District operates municipal water facilities reachable at (207) 398-4222, alongside the Town of Saint Francis at (207) 398-3175.[31]
Geography (8)
Bordering Communities and Townships
According to the Maine Forest Service location map, Saint Francis borders the town of Allagash to the west, Saint John Plantation to the east, and township T16 R9 WELS to the south.[32]
Bordering Waterway
The Saint Francis River defines part of the Canada–United States border between Maine and New Brunswick upstream of its confluence with the Saint John River.[33]
Elevation
Saint Francis is listed at an elevation of 1,240 feet.[34]
Land area
St. Francis town covers a land area of 29.9 square miles.[2]
Land Area
St. Francis town has a total land area of 29.9 square miles.[2]
Location and Rivers
The town of St. Francis is situated in Aroostook County, Maine, along the Canada–United States border on the banks of the St. John and St. Francis rivers.[35]
River border location
The town lies on the banks of the St. John and St. Francis rivers on the border with New Brunswick, Canada.[7]
Total Area
St. Francis encompasses a total area of 30.36 square miles, comprising 29.92 square miles of land and 0.44 square miles of water.[1]

Businesses in St Francis

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Nearby communities

St John Town · about 7 mi away Allagash Town · about 10 mi away Wallagrass Town · about 13 mi away Eagle Lake Town · about 15 mi away Fort Kent Town · about 16 mi away New Canada Town · about 19 mi away
All communities in The County

St. John Valley

Central Aroostook

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Sources (35)
  1. St. Francis, Maine - Wikipedia — en.wikipedia.org , viewed Oct 9, 2026
  2. St. Francis town, Aroostook County, Maine - Census Bureau Profile — data.census.gov , viewed Oct 9, 2026
  3. St. Francis town, Aroostook County, ME - Profile data - Census Reporter — censusreporter.org , viewed Oct 9, 2026
  4. St. Francis - Undiscovered Maine — umaine.edu , viewed Oct 9, 2026
  5. Welcome to St. Francis, Maine — stfrancisme.com , viewed Oct 9, 2026
  6. St. Francis - Undiscovered Maine — umaine.edu , viewed Oct 9, 2026
  7. Town of St. Francis, Maine — stfrancisme.com , viewed Oct 9, 2026
  8. Saint Francis | SOS - Maine.gov — maine.gov , viewed Oct 9, 2026
  9. Schools & Programs | Department of Education - Maine.gov — vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com , viewed Oct 9, 2026
  10. Employment Opportunities - Maine School Administrative District #27 — vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com , viewed Oct 9, 2026
  11. Higher Education in Maine - Maine.gov — vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com , viewed Oct 9, 2026
  12. Find a Master Logger - PLC of the Northeast — plcloggers.org , viewed Oct 9, 2026
  13. Sites - Maine Acadian Heritage Council — acadianheritage.org , viewed Oct 9, 2026
  14. Welcome to St. Francis, Maine — stfrancisme.com , viewed Oct 9, 2026
  15. St. Francis - Checkpoints - North Maine Woods — northmainewoods.org , viewed Oct 9, 2026
  16. Northern Forest Canoe Trail: Section 13 — mainetrailfinder.com , viewed Oct 9, 2026
  17. Boat Sites: Public Boat Launches: Boating Opportunities: Water Activities: State Parks and Public Lands: Maine DACF — maine.gov , viewed Oct 9, 2026
  18. Saint John Valley Heritage Trail - Maine Trail Finder — mainetrailfinder.com , viewed Oct 9, 2026
  19. Snowmobiling - Undiscovered Maine — umaine.edu , viewed Oct 9, 2026
  20. St. John River - » UNTAMED Mainer — untamedmainer.com , viewed Oct 9, 2026
  21. Places To Go - Maine Acadian Culture (U.S. National Park Service) — nps.gov , viewed Oct 9, 2026
  22. St. Francis Historical Society | SOS - Maine.gov — maine.gov , viewed Oct 9, 2026
  23. Canoe the Allagash River Wilderness Waterway, Maine | Sierra Club Outings — content.sierraclub.org , viewed Oct 9, 2026
  24. Navigating the Shrinking St. Francis River - The County — thecounty.me , viewed Oct 9, 2026
  25. Aroostook County (ME) - The RadioReference Wiki — wiki.radioreference.com , viewed Oct 9, 2026
  26. Saint John Valley Heritage Trail | Maine Trails | TrailLink — traillink.com , viewed Oct 9, 2026
  27. Welcome to St. Francis, Maine — stfrancisme.com , viewed Oct 9, 2026
  28. Rates and Schedules | Aroostook Regional Transportation — aroostooktransportation.org , viewed Oct 9, 2026
  29. Welcome to St. Francis, Maine — stfrancisme.com , viewed Oct 9, 2026
  30. Aroostook County Fire Departments | ME - Station Boss — stationboss.com , viewed Oct 9, 2026
  31. Saint Francis (Aroostook County) | MPUC - Maine.gov — maine.gov , viewed Oct 9, 2026
  32. Saint Francis - Maine.gov — maine.gov , viewed Oct 9, 2026
  33. Saint Francis River (Canada–United States) - Wikipedia — en.wikipedia.org , viewed Oct 9, 2026
  34. Aroostook County Elevations - Cooperative Extension: Food & Health — extension.umaine.com , viewed Oct 9, 2026
  35. Town of St. Francis, Maine — stfrancisme.com , viewed Oct 9, 2026