Learn more in the Cranberry Isles Community Profile here
Great Cranberry is the largest island in the town of Cranberry Isles at just over 1,000 acres, but it has a smaller population than the village of Islesford on Little Cranberry Island. Approximately 40 year-round residents live on Great Cranberry Island, or “Cranberry,” predominantly working in various construction trades or at one of the island’s two boatyards that store, repair and build boats. Great Cranberry has a general store, post office, library, school, historical society, the Whale’s Rib Gift Shop, volunteer fire department building, Congregational Church and an extensive set of buildings owned and operated by the Cranberry Island Ladies’ Aid Society.
Quick Facts
- Year-Round Population, 2010 U.S. Census: 47
- Summer population estimate: 250
- Acres: 1,000
- Mainland ferry terminal: Northeast Harbor & Southwest Harbor/Manset
- Estimated distance between Northeast Harbor and island ferry docks: 6 miles
- Estimated distance between Southwest Harbor and island ferry docks: 7 miles
- Ferry service: Beal & Bunker (Northeast) & Cranberry Cove Ferry (Southwest)
- School: The Longfellow School currently has no students. (Cranberry students travel to The Ashley Bryan School on Islesford.) The Town of Cranberry Isles has voted repeatedly to maintain the school building and keep it open as a community space. Some community members hope to reopen it as a school in the future.
- Form of town government: Part of town of Cranberry Isles
