The area was originally populated by the Finno-Ugric peoples and then colonized by the Novgorod Republic. Kamenny Monastery on Kamenny Island on Lake Kubenskoye was founded in 1260. In the 15th century, the area, known as Zaozyorye, for a short period became a principality, Principality of Zaozyorye, which was dependent on Principality of Yaroslavl. Before 1447, it became a part of the Grand Duchy of Moscow. It is not exactly known what was the capital of the principality but presumably it was located at the current location of Ustye. Ivan the Terrible visited the mouth of the Kubena in 1545. The selo of Ustye is known since 1570. Due to the location on one of the trading routes connecting the basins of the Northern Dvina and the Volga, and in the mouth of the Kubena, Ustye became a prosperous settlement living from trading. It was also a gateway for the pilgrims heading to Kamenny Monastery. In the course of the administrative reform carried out in 1708 by Peter the Great, Zaozyorye was included into Archangelgorod Governorate. In 1780, Arkhangelogorod Governorate was abolished and transformed into Vologda Viceroyalty, and in 1796 the latter was split into Arkhangelsk and Vologda Governorates. Ustye became then part of Kadnikovsky Uyezd of Vologda Governorate. On July 15, 1929, the uyezds were abolished, the governorates merged into the Northern Krai, and Ust-Kubinsky District with the administrative center of Ustye was established among others. In 1932, Ustye became an urban-type settlement. In 2004 the status was revoked, and it became a selo again.
Ustye is connected by a road with Sokol. There are also local roads in the district, with regular bus traffic. The lower course of the Kubena and Lake Kubenskoye are navigable, however, there is no passenger navigation in Ustye. The northern part of Lake Kubenskoye, which belongs to the basin of the Northern Dvina River, is connected by Northern Dvina Canal with the town of Kirillov and the Sheksna River, thus connecting the basins of the White Sea and the Volga. In the 19th century, the canal and Lake Kubenskoye were the main waterway connecting the Volga with the White Sea. However, in the 1930s the White Sea – Baltic Canal was built, and the Northern Dvina Canal lost its significance. The canal is still in operation, serving cargo traffic and occasional cruise ships, which then proceed to Lake Kubenskoye.
Culture and recreation
Ustye contains five cultural heritage monuments of federal significance and additionally twenty-nine objects classified as cultural and historical heritage of local significance. The ruins of Kamenny Monastery on Kamenny Island are also protected as a federal monument. Ustye hosts the Ust-Kubinsky District Museum of History and Ethnography. Two of the handicrafts developed in Ust-Kubensky District and, in particular, in Ustye, have been officially recognized and protected by Vologda Oblast Law. These are lace-making and oxhorn carving.
