View source for Cliff Island

{{Short description|Island in Casco Bay, in Portland, Maine, US}}
{{for|the Island in Antarctica|Cliff Island (Antarctica)}}
{{more citations needed|date=March 2013}}
[[Image:Cliff Island, Maine.jpg|thumb|A welcoming sign to visitors.]]
[[Image:Cliff_island_ferry_landing.jpg|thumb|Looking back from Cliff Island ferry landing to channel between Hope Island and Long Island, ME]]
'''Cliff Island''' is an island in [[Casco Bay]], [[Maine]], United States. It is part of the city of [[Portland, Maine|Portland]].  As of the 2000 census, the island had a  year-round population of approximately 60 people. In the summer, the island's population grows to about 200, despite the fact that it is the only year-round inhabited island in Casco Bay with no paved roads.  The ZIP Code for Cliff Island is 04019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.zipdatamaps.com/04019|title=Cliff Island ZIP Code|publisher=zipdatamaps.com|year=2022|access-date=November 11, 2022}}</ref>

In the early 20th century, the island's inns were a draw for summer tourists. There are no longer any hotels, but many homes are available for weekly rentals or longer. While there are no public services, residents enjoy a community hall, a tennis court, baseball field, and playground. The residents are served by a USPS Post Office,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.postallocations.com/me/cliff-island/cliff-island|title=Post Office in Cliff Island, ME - Hours and Location|website=www.postallocations.com}}</ref> fire department, and one-room school for elementary grades.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www2.portlandschools.org/schools/elementary-schools/cliff-island-school |title=Cliff Island School &#124; Portland Public Schools |access-date=2013-02-28 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130416000130/http://www2.portlandschools.org/schools/elementary-schools/cliff-island-school |archive-date=2013-04-16 }}</ref> While the postal service has considered closing the office in the past, the islanders have managed to keep it in operation for six hours a day.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://pingree.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=884:cliff-island-post-office-to-remain-open-6-hours-a-day&catid=9:press-releases |title=Cliff Island Post Office to remain open 6 hours a day |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130308171404/http://pingree.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=884:cliff-island-post-office-to-remain-open-6-hours-a-day&catid=9:press-releases |archive-date=8 March 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Transportation==
Cliff Island residents (also known as Cliff Islanders) travel back and forth to the mainland via the [[Casco Bay Lines]] ferry service. The ride takes about one hour.  Cliff Islanders mostly buy groceries in [[Portland, Maine|Portland]], but there is a small store on the island. In the summer, tourists taking the ferry as a cruise often step off to enjoy an ice-cream or pizza at the café.{{citation needed|date=March 2013}}

Bicycles, golf carts and electric carts are most often used for transportation. A barge ramp was added in 2008 to ease delivery of trucks and heavy items.

==In popular culture==
In 1987 the feature film ''[[The Whales of August]]'' was filmed entirely on location on Cliff Island.  The buoy that was used in the film as a transitioning tool is now on display outside of the [[Casco Bay Lines]] Ferry Terminal.  The film was among the last for stars [[Bette Davis]], [[Lillian Gish]], [[Vincent Price]], and [[Ann Sothern]].

==See also==
* [[List of islands of Maine]]
* [[Edward S. Ellis]]

==References==
<references />

==External links==
* [http://www.cliffisland.com Official site]

{{Casco Bay}}
{{Maine Islands}}
{{Cumberland County, Maine}}

{{coord|43|41|46|N|70|06|28|W|type:city_region:US-ME|display=title}}
[[Category:Islands of Casco Bay]]
[[Category:Islands of Cumberland County, Maine]]
[[Category:Islands of Portland, Maine]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 2007]]
[[Category:Portland metropolitan area, Maine]]