• Raye's Mustard Mill: Raye's Mustard Mill at 83 Washington Street is unique not only in Eastport or the United States but also throughout the world. The cold grinding and aging processes used by this mustard mill were developed about 500 years ago during the Middle Ages in Europe. Every other mustard mill in the world has ceased using cold grinding, so Raye's is the only mill in the world to carry on the rich tradition of the early mustard craftsmen. Two European museums, however, contain similar equipment. Each year historians and antique manufacturing technique scholars from around the world arrive in Eastport to delight in admiring the old mustard grinding stones at work. The refining of the color and the texture of the mustard seed as it passes between the stones is a treat for the eyes. The aroma wafts through the mill and the gift shop for all to enjoy. The mustard is then carefully aged before being packaged for sale.
  
  When John Wesley "Wes" Raye returned to Eastport from the Spanish-American War, he was determined to pursue his love of the sea as his ancestors had done. He would traverse the oceans as captain of one of the schooners that departed Eastport for all parts of the world. His love for the sea was surpassed only by his love for Helen Wadsworth. She refused to marry a man who was away at sea, so he was compelled to explore a different occupation.
  
  At this time there were many prosperous sardine canneries in Eastport. "Wes" Raye went to work for one of them and almost immediately began researching a way to solve a problem. Herring could be kept fresh for a day or two before canning in oil, but this wasn't always possible. Mr. Raye learned that mustard was used in Europe to keep meat from spoiling and to flavor it. Mustard could do the same for the herring, alleviating much spoilage and waste. None of the about twenty Eastport sardine canneries, however, was interested in financing this venture.
  
  Mr. Raye was certain that packing in mustard was a feasible idea. In 1900, he started his mustard business in a family-owned smokehouse near the present ferry landing. By 1902, the business needed a larger building, so he bought the land and built the present mill on upper Washington Street. The railroad stopped beside his building to unload raw materials and to load wooden barrels of mustard for delivery to the local canneries and to the schooners that transported the mustard as far away as Norway. He produced a variety of mustard blends because each cannery wanted unique mustard. He was such a success that on April 19, 1905, he and Helen Wadsworth were married in Eastport. Their son became his father's partner, and in 1990, their granddaughter, Nancy Raye took over the business. All of the Eastport sardine canneries and many others around the world have closed so Nancy has had to change her marketing to attract new customers. She, however, will not change the centuries old process that is used to produce the various flavors and consistencies of Raye's mustard. This can be seen on the Eastport video available at The Quoddy Tides.
  
  Nancy Raye is determined to carry on the traditions that her grandfather and many mustard craftsmen before him developed. Visit the mill and the gift shop and take the tour to see first-hand this historical process. Visit the web site at www.rayesmustard.com to further explore this unique process. Call 853-4451 or order at 1-800-853-1903.

Many locations in Eastport have free copies of a map detailing the Eastport/Lubec Quoddy Loop vicinity. Carry one with you. This map details roads and ferry routes connecting the entire area. You'll enjoy each of these day trips more fully if you have a camera and binoculars always at hand. At every turn you have the opportunity for a moose to appear, an eagle to soar overhead, or some other breathtaking sight to awaken your senses. Many days you'll want a sweater or sweatshirt within easy reach. Bring along water and food so you'll have the freedom to explore in every direction.

Eastport, Maine: Easternmost City in the U.S.A.