Mars Hill, the mountain that gave the northern Maine town its name, is a defining landmark above the Saint John Valley, with views that can reach Mount Katahdin on clear days. Long central to local identity, it also serves as a recreation site through Big Rock Ski Area. Because of its northeastern location and elevation, its summit is the first place in the contiguous United States to see the sunrise from March 25 to September 18. That distinction gained national notice on July 4, 1960, and the mountain later took on a new role in 2006 as the site of a major wind-power project combining scenery, recreation, and renewable energy.