Criehaven is an alternative name for Ragged Island, an unorganized territory in Knox County, Maine, United States. Criehaven was formerly a plantation including Ragged Island just south of Matinicus Isle in outer Penobscot Bay, plus Matinicus Rock to its southeast, and Seal Island, the location of Seal Island National Wildlife Refuge, to its northeast. Criehaven surrendered its organization and reverted to an unorganized territory in 1925, but the name persists.
With its population dwindling, Criehaven plantation dissolved in 1925 to revert to a 'wild land' obviating the need for town meetings and further taxation. The school continued to operate until 1941. After the school's closing, the accelerating departure of year-round families cost the island its general store and post office as well. A "lively summer community of fishermen and vacationers" continues to occupy Ragged Island according to McLane, but there has "rarely been year round habitation in recent years."
The island is the former home of writer Elisabeth Ogilvie and the inspiration for her "Tide Trilogy." Writer Dorothy Simpson lived on Criehaven for many years. A fictionalized version of Criehaven is the setting for the web series "Ragged Isle."
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the location has a total area of 131.8 square miles (341.3 km<sup>2</sup>), of which 0.7 square mile (1.9 km<sup>2</sup>) is land and 131.1 square miles (339.5 km<sup>2</sup>) (99.46%) is water.
Demographics
As of the 2010 Census, there was one person living in the location. There are people who have houses on Ragged Island and some stay all summer and some people stay just part of every week. Seasonally there are ten lobster-fishing families and ten non-fishing families.
Education
The Maine Department of Education takes responsibility for coordinating school assignments in the unorganized territories.
See also
- List of islands of Maine