South China, Maine
South China is a village in the town of China in Kennebec County, Maine, United States. It is one of four villages of China. It is between the cities of Augusta and Waterville. It is both an hour and a half from Bangor and Portland. Route 3 runs through the main part of the town. It is sometimes known as South Oak Hill Road.
Communities
South China Lake is home to Friends Camp, a Quaker summer camp currently run by Nat Shed, which has been active for over 50 years. It is the home of a Christian church, named South China Community Church, across from the South China library (the oldest operating library in Maine). The church is open to and welcomes all practicing Christians of any denomination. Three-Mile Pond can be accessed from Route 3, a mile south of the South China Community Church. South China is also home to Maine's second largest private high school: Erskine Academy.
Business
Ron Reed Antiques is on Mayflower drive. At the intersection of Washington Blvd. and Mayflower Drive is the Pond and three camps to the right is Grammy's Camp at 12 West Washington Blvd. It also used to contain a small restaurant that served breakfast and lunch known as "Dog Days." Now however it is a Curves. In 2008, a new restaurant was established in the town known as the "China Dine-ah" which serves country cooking style meals and sells various apparel with its logo on it. MJEK's grill opened in the summer of 2012 right beside the China Dine-ah. Additionally, there is an ice cream shop, Back's Dairy Bar, which is open during the spring and summer. During the summer it also opens a food section known as "Fat Joe's", which serves seafood, hamburgers, hot dogs, and other American meals. The small village, despite its old appearance, is rapidly growing.[citation needed] Recently, a new Hannaford's was constructed right off of Route 3. A Family Dollar store was also recently built to cater to the nearby residents. The China-Dinah Too opened in 2013 adjacent to the Family Dollar on Route 3.
Entertainment
For the people who live or go here during vacation, swimming in China Lake is a popular pastime. There is a small beach area by the China Community Church on Lakeview Drive. In the winter of 2013, G.O. Tubing opened up on Alder Park Road. South China is only a fifteen minute's drive from places such as Augusta and Lake St. George.
Notable Residents
- Rufus Jones (1863-1948), writer, magazine editor, philosopher, Quaker theologian, historian, and college professor who is the only person to have delivered two Swarthmore Lectures.
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Coordinates: 44°23′44″N 69°34′16″W / 44.39556°N 69.57111°W