Detail: The Hook

Ships sailing to and from Hallowell docked at a bend in the Kennebec River called the Hook. In addition to the wharves of the town landing, the Hook's economy included several small stores (not pictured) and the two mills visible below. When the town's northern parishes split off in 1797, later to become Augusta, the Hook region became the center of Hallowell.

The Hallowell Academy, evidence of the town's booming population, opened on May 5, 1795. Thanks to Martha Ballard's diary, we know that Ephraim attended the opening supper. The academy burned in 1805.