Johnny Orr Rapids

Johnny Orr Rapids, a narrow stretch along the Damariscotta River. (see Figure 3 for location)

As an aside, the name of the rapids, Johnny Orr, is attributed to a local trader, John Orr, who settled in the region. Local deeds in Bristol identify a certain tract "where John Orr formerly possessed and lived, suggesting that Orr was a squatter being dispossessed" by the true owners (Warner, 2006). Orr apparently moved to a new location and built a home, later bought by John Fitch after Orr's death by drowning in 1792 (Warner, 2006). Local lore regarding the name "Johnny Orr" for the rapids is that it was at the rapids site where Orr met his demise, drowned when his boat capsized there as he was traveling in the area selling his wares to other landowners (personal communications, March 2011; Paul Bryant and Calvin Dodge, Damariscotta, Maine).

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Last updated on April 7, 2011

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