Kennebunk, Maine is in York County. The town was first settled in the 1620s, 1640s, and again in the 1650s, but not permanently. By 1690, Indian uprisings had driven most of the settlers from the area, including most of Maine, troubles that continued until the 1760s, although settlement of the area had resumed prior to that time. By 1750, settlements had been established on the Mousam River at the site of the Larrabee family's garrison and at Mousam Village, which is the location of Kennebunk's main village today, as well as on the Kennebunk River at Kennebunk Landing and Lower Village.
The town was incorporated on July 31, 1820 from a portion of Wells, and named for the long cut bank for a land formation near the sea which probably served as a navigational aid to the Indians. The town developed as a trading area, and later as a shipbuilding and shipping center with some light manufacturing. Today, some manufacturing continues but the town has become more dependent upon tourism for its economy. Two nature preserves are located within the town, both managed by the Nature Conservancy.