Rangeley History

The Rangeley Lakes region has long been a place where people have come for outdoor recreation in all seasons, and to enjoy the Maine woods and waterways. It was made famous by legendary Cornelia ‘Fly Rod’ Crosby (1854-1946.) ‘Fly Rod’ was told by her doctor that she would die if she didn’t have an ‘abundant dose of fresh air’ and so she took to the outdoors and became an avid fly-fisher and hunter. She promoted the region as a sporting haven throughout her life, and became the first Maine Guide.

Another famous figure was Carrie Stevens, (1882-1970) who developed and tied the world-famous gray ghost fly. She loved to fish at Upper Dam on Richardson Lake where she summered and taught herself to tie flies.

Herb Welch is another legend of the region. He lived in the early 1900’s and was best known for his taxidermy of fish and game caught in the region, as well as for his fly-tying.