Bowdoinham was settled originally as early as 1623, but Indian raids precluded a permanent presence. Reportedly named for Dr. Peter Bowdoin, an early proprietor, this Sagadahoc County town incorporated on September 18, 1762 from Cathance Neck and Abagadussett.
The town was ravaged by the floods, high tides, and ice jams accompanying the Great Freshet of 1770 on January 8th of that year.
In 1779, Bowdoinham and Pittston both annexed land from Gardinerstown Plantation, thus ending that plantations’ existence. After trading various pieces of land with Litchfield, Richmond, and Topsham, the town's boundaries were set by the last annexation from Topsham on March 16, 1830.
Occupying virtually the whole western shore of Merrymeeting Bay, the town is pleasantly sited with the Cathance River running through it and into the Bay. The River is the site of smelt shacks in winter, and small boats in summer.
Bowdoinham Village, or Cathance Landing was settled about 1800, after a need for salt water access by nearby towns resulted in a group of Bowdoin residents built a road (the first major road in Bowdoinham) from Bowdoin line to the Cathance.
A fast growing community, Bowdoinham has attracted commuters and retirees to its still rural open spaces.
