Machias is a town in Washington County, incorporated on June 23, 1784 but divided into three towns on June 26, 1826: West Machias, East Machias, and Machias Port.
The Indian term machias has been taken to mean a little run of bad water or bad little falls.
The current town emerged from West Machias as it changed its name back to Machias on March 12, 1830.
The town, and its Burnham Tavern in particular, was the site of anti-British plotting that resulted in the capture of the schooner Margaretta.
The Washington County seat, it is located on the Machias River, the engine moving its earlier lumbering and shipbuilding industries.
Once a haven for pirates, and now a commercial center, it is also home to the University of Maine at Machias, formerly Washington State College.
