Molly Spotted Elk was the stage name for a famous Maine Native American. Her real name was Molly Nelson. She was a member of the Penobscot tribe and was born on Indian Island near Old Town in the year 1903. She did many things in her life, but she is best known for being a dancer and entertainer. She performed around the world.

As a child she had to help take care of her seven younger brothers and sisters because her mother died. She learned native dances and performed them to help support the family. Later she went to the University of Pennsylvania and worked hard to pay her way for two years.

In 1923 she began to dance for a living. She performed the native dances that she learned earlier and went around the United States and Canada for a few years. She also was an actress in a silent film called "The Silent Enemy." The movie was not a big hit because right after it was released the talking movies started coming out and people wanted to see those instead of the silent movies.

Next she went to Europe and performed as a ballet dancer. She also did some other Hollywood movies. One of the most famous that she in was called "The Last of the Mohicans" Molly continued to dance. She was married and had one daughter.

World War II started and she had to escape from France. She and her daughter finally made it back to Maine, but her husband had been killed. Molly returned to Old Town where she lived for many years. She died in 1977. In 19886 she became a member of the Native American Hall of Honor.

Adams, Herb and Verde, Tom. Maine's Claim to Fame. Augusta: Maine Department of Education, date on publication not available.