text:
South Portland, Maine

South Portland is a city in Cumberland County, Maine, United States, and is the fourth-most populous city in the state, incorporated in 1898. At the 2020 census, the city population was 26,498. Known for its working waterfront, South Portland is situated on Portland Harbor and overlooks the skyline of Portland and the islands of Casco Bay. Due to South Portland's close proximity to air, marine, rail, and highway transportation options, the city has become a center for retail and industry in the region. The Maine Mall, the largest shopping mall in the state, is located in South Portland.

Despite the name, South Portland was never part of the city of Portland, but rather part of Cape Elizabeth, separating in 1895. However, both Cape Elizabeth and Portland were once part of Falmouth. Cape Elizabeth, then including what later became South Portland, broke away from Falmouth in 1765. South Portland is a principal city of the Portland–South Portland–Biddeford metropolitan area.

History

South Portland was first colonized in 1630, and it grew to become a small residential community with many farms. The village was raided by natives in Father Rale's War (1724). In 1858, the City of Portland purchased land near the Fore River for the Forest City Cemetery. On March 15, 1895, it was incorporated as a town after it broke away from Cape Elizabeth, based on a disagreement on a future source of public drinking water. Three years later South Portland became a city, destined to receive its drinking water, like Portland, from Sebago Lake, while Cape Elizabeth used wells or other local sources.

On South Portland's waterfront is Fort Preble, which is a military fort established in 1808 to protect Portland Harbor. It was in operation during several American conflicts, including the United States Civil War, World War I, and World War II. Near Fort Preble is Spring Point Ledge Light, which was constructed by the federal government in 1897 to mark a dangerous rock ledge.

In December 1844, Portland resident Ellen G. White, who became a founder of the Seventh-day Adventist church, is said to have experienced her first vision during a prayer meeting at the home of Mrs. Haines at 60 Ocean Street, which later became the Griffin Club. The building was torn down in 2018.

In 1940, the Todd-Bath Iron Shipbuilding Corp (later called the "East Yard") was established to build cargo ships for Britain. When the United States became involved with World War II, the shipyard expanded to include the South Portland Shipbuilding Corp. (aka the “West Yard”), that later combined with the Todd-Bath yard to become the New England Shipbuilding Corporation. These shipyards built 236 of the 440 foot (134 m) long Liberty ships, more than 10 percent of all the Liberty ships constructed during the war years. At its peak, the shipyard employed some 30,000 people, including thousands of women, who took over the jobs vacated by men going into the service. The shipyard gradually ceased operations after the war ended in 1945. Remnants of the shipyards are visible, and there is a memorial to the shipyard and the workers at Bug Light Park. The park is also home to Portland Breakwater Lighthouse, commonly referred to as "Bug Light".

On July 11, 1944, at 4:45 p.m., U.S. Army Lt. Phillip "Phee" Russell was attempting to land his Douglas A-26 Invader at the Portland-Westbrook Municipal Airport. For reasons that were never fully determined, Russell lost control of the plane and crashed into a trailer park in South Portland's Brick Hill neighborhood. Nineteen people were killed and 20 people were injured—mostly the families of South Portland shipyard workers—making it the worst aviation accident in Maine history. A Long Creek Air Tragedy Memorial was eventually erected to commemorate the crash and honor the victims, but not until 66 years later.

Over the last few decades, South Portland has become the retail capital of Maine. The Mill Creek shopping center, built in the 1950s, was the first such "strip mall" built in Maine: a line of stores under one long roof and a covered walkway. Mill Creek has changed and grown significantly since, but the original layout still forms the core of the stores. The area in Mill Creek known as the Waterfront Market sits at the base of the Casco Bay Bridge and attracts shoppers from Scarborough, Cape Elizabeth and Portland.

The need for a large mall in Maine emerged in the 1960s, as Portland's downtown district could not accommodate the growing retail market. A former pig farm in South Portland was chosen as the site for the project because it was close to I-95 and convenient from Portland. Beginning construction of the Maine Mall in the late 1960s marked the start of a major transition in the western part of South Portland: from a rural, agrarian landscape to the large retail center that exists today.

The oldest neighborhood in South Portland, and its former "retail corridor", is Ferry Village. Prior to the Casco Bay Bridge (or the one it replaced, the Million Dollar Bridge), ferries transported people and goods back and forth across the harbor to Portland. The landscape and the makeup of residents in Ferry Village were forever changed upon the close of the WWII shipyards. The Village has slowly bounced back and is now one of the more popular places in the city to live.

Ferry Village also has one of the most active and involved neighborhood associations in Southern Maine. The Ferry Village Neighborhood Conservation Association (FVNCA) was formed in August 1985 to address the development boom in the 1980s which was quickly altering the character of the waterfront and many Greater Portland neighborhoods. FVNCA was instrumental in the formation of the South Portland Land Trust as well as the City-managed Land Bank which provides seed money for the acquisition of available open space.

After decades of neglect, the westernmost neighborhoods of South Portland, including Redbank and Brick Hill, experienced new growth and revitalization in 2006 with the redevelopment of the former Maine Youth Center site as a mixed-use neighborhood featuring affordable housing, market rate housing, professional offices and outdoor recreational spaces. The redevelopment of the Brick Hill site spurred additional private development nearby in the form of market rate housing, retail and light industry. The city's 2017 West End Master Plan aims to further encourage such development in that area of the city.

South Portland was voted one of the best places to live in Maine in 2018.

Government and politics
South Portland has a council-manager form of government.

The city council is made up of seven members elected by the citizens: one member from each of the five districts in the city, and two at-large members. Voters are allowed to vote for council candidates in all five districts, not just the district where they are registered to vote.

Every December, the members of the council elect one of themselves as mayor, which is primarily a ceremonial title. The mayor serves as chairman of the council.

The city council is responsible for establishing policy, passing local ordinances, voting appropriations, and developing an overall vision for the city.

The council appoints a city manager to oversee the daily operations of the government and implement the policies established by the council. The manager is an employee of the city and has a contract that specifies his or her duties and responsibilities. Ideally, the manager is considered apolitical.

Elections
Voter registration

Mayoral controversy
In December 2007, then-mayor James Soule made headlines in Maine and across the country when he proposed in his inaugural address that South Portland, along with parts of southern Maine, secede from the state of Maine and form a new state. Soule referred to the state government of Maine as an "oppressive enemy" and said that South Portland, along with other southern Maine cities and towns, contributes much more to the state in tax revenue than it receives in education funding. "The state of Maine needs South Portland more than South Portland needs the state of Maine," Soule claimed.

Soule's proposal was panned by the congressional delegation and by Governor Baldacci, whose spokesman called it "silly" and "counterproductive."

The proposal did not gain any traction, and Soule did not continue to pursue it. Soule nominated himself for reelection as mayor in November 2008, but was defeated by Thomas Blake in a 6–1 vote. Soule voted for himself.

Geography

South Portland is bordered by Portland to the north, Cape Elizabeth and Scarborough to the south, and Westbrook to the west. The city is located at 43.63167°N, -70.27278°W. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 14.02 sqmi, of which 11.99 sqmi is land and 2.03 sqmi is water.

Villages and neighborhoods

As defined by the city's Planning Department in a 2018 neighborhood map, South Portland comprises the following districts that could be described in some cases as urban or suburban villages, listed below in bold; historic neighborhoods are in italics.

 * Ferry Village
 * Cushing's Point
 * Knightville
 * Mill Creek
 * Ligonia
 * Pleasantdale
 * Highland Avenue / Stanwood Park
 * Skunk Hill
 * Brick Hill
 * Cash Corner
 * Country Gardens
 * The Maine Mall
 * Meadowbrook
 * Redbank
 * Sunset Park
 * Thornton Heights
 * Town House Corner
 * South Portland Heights
 * Willard
 * Loveitt's Field
 * Meetinghouse Hill
 * Willard Beach

Education

South Portland's public school system has five neighborhood elementary schools: Brown School, Dyer School, Kaler School, Skillin School and Dora L. Small Elementary School. The city has one middle school, South Portland Middle School, which has grades 5-8. The city has one high school, South Portland High School, which has an enrollment of about 900 students.

South Portland has two private schools: Holy Cross School, which is a Roman Catholic K–8 school, and Greater Portland Christian School, which is a non-denominational Christian K–12 school.

South Portland also boasts three institutions of higher learning: Kaplan University, New England Bible College, and Southern Maine Community College.

Places of worship

Christian churches in the area include the First Baptist Church of South Portland (Baptist), Holy Cross Church (Roman Catholic), Peoples United Methodist Church and Thornton Heights United Methodist Church (Methodist), South Portland Church of the Nazarene (Nazarene), First Congregational Church of South Portland (United Church of Christ), Christ Fellowship Church, Eastpoint Christian Church and Greater Portland Church of Christ (Christian, nondenominational).

There is also a Buddhist Peace Center, and a Reform Judaism congregation locally.

Media
There are several local media groups that report on the news of the city. The South Portland Sentry offers a free newspaper that covers the city's events and news. It has a circulation of 17,000 and is distributed to residents free of charge. Regional newspapers such as The Current and The Forecaster cover South Portland issues and events, while also serving the communities of Cape Elizabeth and Scarborough. The city also has a local Public-access television cable TV television station, SPC-TV which is sponsored by the city and is broadcast on Time Warner Cable's channel 2 and 3.

Media coverage for South Portland is also provided by Portland's television stations, radio stations, and periodicals.

Economy

While the city is considered suburban, it also has a diverse economy, as evidenced by its working waterfront and large retail center.

Home to the Portland-Montreal Pipe Line, millions of barrels of oil are shipped to South Portland each year, which is a major portion of the inbound tonnage entering the Port of Portland. It is the northernmost oil port in the United States, and has over 120 oil storage tanks. Tank farm emissions such as benzene and Naphthalene have been a concern, and sea level rise projections show a 27% chance that the South Portland Terminal will flood by 2050.

Rigby Yard, the largest railroad yard in New England, built by Portland Terminal Company in 1922, is still in operation today and is part of the Pan Am Railways system.

The city is also home to manufacturing facilities for the technology companies ON Semiconductor (formerly Fairchild Semiconductor), and Texas Instruments (formerly National Semiconductor).

The Maine Mall is the largest and busiest mall in the state and attracts thousands of shoppers each year.

The main runway of Maine's busiest airport, the Portland International Jetport, is located within the city of South Portland. The passenger terminal is located within the city of Portland.

Transportation
The city-owned South Portland Bus Service provides public transportation throughout the city.

Points of interest

South Portland has a number of parks and open spaces. One of the main features of South Portland is the historic Greenbelt walkway, which is a three-mile (5 km) paved trail that crosses through several neighborhoods and provides views of the harbor. Mill Creek Park is located in South Portland's downtown area and has landscaped pond area and rose garden. The park hosts several local events, including summer concerts, Art in the Park, holiday tree lighting and ice skating in the winter. Other local parks include Wainwright Farm, which is a recreational facility and Hinckley Park which is a 40 acre wooded area that has two ponds. The city's waterfront has several recreational marinas and is home to the last free beach in the area, Willard Beach.

Other attractions:

 * Calvary Cemetery
 * Fort Preble
 * The Maine Mall
 * Portland Breakwater Light (known locally as Bug Light)
 * Shoreway Arboretum
 * South Portland Armory
 * South Portland Historical Society
 * South Portland Municipal Golf Course
 * South Portland Public Library
 * Southern Maine Community College
 * Spring Point Ledge Light

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 25,002 people, 10,877 households, and 6,197 families residing in the city. The population density was 2085.2 PD/sqmi. There were 11,484 housing units at an average density of 957.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 91.1% White, 2.1% African American, 0.3% Native American, 3.8% Asian, 0.8% from other races, and 2.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.2% of the population.

There were 10,877 households, of which 27.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.6% were married couples living together, 12.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 43.0% were non-families. Of all households, 31.9% were made up of individuals, and 11.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.84.

The median age in the city was 39.4 years. 20.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 28.4% were from 25 to 44; 27.8% were from 45 to 64; and 13.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.7% male and 52.3% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 23,324 people, 10,047 households, and 6,038 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,944.7 PD/sqmi. There were 10,349 housing units at an average density of 862.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 95.80% White, 0.63% African American, 0.33% Native American, 1.59% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.31% from other races, and 1.31% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.13% of the population.

There were 10,047 households, out of which 27.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.1% were married couples living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.9% were non-families. Of all households, 30.7% were made up of individuals, and 12.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.85.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 22.3% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 32.2% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and 14.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $42,770, and the median income for a family was $52,833. Males had a median income of $32,256 versus $28,630 for females. The per capita income for the city was $22,781. About 4.9% of families and 6.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.5% of those under age 18 and 7.2% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

 * Robert G. Albion, author, historian, college professor
 * Jim Beattie, baseball pitcher
 * Larry Bliss, state senator
 * Lynn Bromley, state senator and Small Business Administration official
 * Brett Brown, basketball coach
 * Peter Buck, co-founder of Subway restaurant chain
 * Clarke Canfield, journalist, author
 * Frank M. Coffin, judge, U.S. congressman
 * Chris Coyne, co-founder of OkCupid
 * Bob Crowley, winner of Survivor: Gabon
 * Santo DiPietro, businessperson, city councilor and state legislator
 * Jane Eberle, state legislator
 * Charlie Furbush, baseball pitcher
 * Jon Gillies, hockey goaltender
 * John W. Gulick, U.S. Army major general
 * Simon M. Hamlin, U.S. congressman
 * Frederick Hinckley, land developer, mayor and state legislator
 * Ed McAleney, football player
 * Wes McCauley, hockey player and referee
 * Terry Morrison, state legislator
 * Judd Nelson, actor
 * James C. Oliver, U.S. congressman
 * Edward Reynolds, first Mayor of South Portland (1899–1900), state senator
 * Bill Swift, baseball pitcher

title: South Portland, Maine


text:
Standish, Maine

Standish is a town in Cumberland County, Maine, United States. The population was 10,244 at the 2020 census. It includes the villages of Standish Corner, Sebago Lake Village and Steep Falls, and the localities known as Richville, Elmwood, Standish Neck and Two Trails. Standish is part of the Portland-South Portland-Biddeford, Maine metropolitan statistical area.

History
This was once hunting and fishing territory of the Abenaki tribe, whose main village was at Pequawket (now Fryeburg) up the Pequawket Trail (now Route 113). In 1750, the Massachusetts General Court granted the township to Captain Moses Pearson and Captain Humphrey Hobbs, together with their respective companies, for services during the French and Indian Wars.

It was to be called Pearson and Hobbs Town, but Hobbs died and none of his company took possession. In 1752, the land was surveyed and divided into 30 acre lots, although some soldiers sold their rights for whatever they could get. Those that did settle found their cabins razed by Indians trying to drive them away. In response, the veterans built at Standish Corner a stockaded fort, which provided protection until Indian hostilities ceased in 1759 with the Fall of Quebec. Pearsontown Plantation was incorporated as Standish on November 30, 1785. The town is named in honor of Captain Myles Standish.

Much of Standish is sandy plains covered with pine, yet farmers found considerable arable land. Watermills at various streams produced lumber, headings, shooks, barrel staves, carriages, clothing, flour, ice, plaster and packing boxes. The Cumberland and Oxford Canal opened in 1832, increasing trade between Sebago Lake and Portland. It was followed by the Portland and Ogdensburg Railroad, which on September 12, 1870, began regular passenger service between Portland and Sebago Lake Station. Tourists could arrive by train in the morning, ride a side-wheel steamboat the whole length of the lakes, then return to the city by evening. The cost of the excursion in 1876 was $1.75 from Portland to Naples, and $2.00 from Portland to Bridgton, North Bridgton or Harrison. Standish also had railroad depots at Richville and Steep Falls. In 1998, Frye Island in Sebago Lake was set off and incorporated as a separate town. Today, Standish is both a recreational area and suburb of Portland.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 80.59 sqmi, of which 59.03 sqmi is land and 21.56 sqmi is water. Situated beside Sebago Lake, Standish is drained by Sebago Lake and the Presumpscot River, which is the town's eastern border, and by the Saco River, which is the town's (and Cumberland County's) southwestern border. The eastern portion of Standish is part of the Presumpscot River watershed. Watchic Lake is located within the town.

The town is crossed by state routes 11, 25, 25A, 35, 35A, 114, and 237. It is bordered by the towns of Windham and Gorham to the southeast, Buxton and Hollis to the south, Limington to the west, and Baldwin and Sebago to the northwest.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 9,874 people, 3,518 households, and 2,572 families living in the town. The population density was 167.3 PD/sqmi. There were 4,425 housing units at an average density of 75.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 97.3% White, 0.5% African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.8% of the population.

There were 3,518 households, of which 33.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.7% were married couples living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 26.9% were non-families. 19.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 2.95.

The median age in the town was 38.8 years. 21.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 13.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.1% were from 25 to 44; 30.4% were from 45 to 64; and 10.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 49.2% male and 50.8% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 9,285 people, 3,205 households, and 2,464 families living in the town. The population density was 157.2 PD/sqmi. There were 3,987 housing units at an average density of 67.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 98.08% White, 0.39% African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.24% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 0.23% from other races, and 0.83% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.46% of the population.

There were 3,205 households, out of which 37.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.0% were married couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.1% were non-families. 16.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.03.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 25.3% under the age of 18, 13.1% from 18 to 24, 30.5% from 25 to 44, 23.0% from 45 to 64, and 8.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.4 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $50,278, and the median income for a family was $53,461. Males had a median income of $36,235 versus $26,204 for females. The per capita income for the town was $19,504. About 1.9% of families and 3.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.8% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

 * Marisa Butler, Miss Maine USA 2016, Miss World America 2018, Miss Earth USA 2021 and Miss Earth Air 2021
 * Simon M. Hamlin, US congressman
 * Albion P. Howe, Civil War era general
 * Solomon Nason, Wisconsin farmer, lumberman and legislator (born in Standish in 1825)
 * Kimberly Pomerleau, state legislator

Education
Bonny Eagle High School is a public high school serving the towns of Buxton, Hollis, Limington, Standish and Frye Island. Other Maine School Administrative District 6 schools located in Standish are Edna Libby Elementary, George E. Jack, and Steep Falls Elementary.

Saint Joseph's College of Maine has its campus in Standish.

Sites of interest

 * Daniel Marrett House – the 1789 home of the town's parson located in town center, now a Historic New England museum
 * The Old Red Church – an 1804 meeting house, now a museum
 * Schoolhouse Arts Center at Sebago Lake
 * Standish Historical Society & Museum

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Standish, Maine


text:
Westbrook, Maine

Westbrook is a city in Cumberland County, Maine, United States and a suburb of Portland. The population was 20,400 at the 2020 census, making it the fastest-growing city in Maine between 2010 and 2020. It is part of the Portland–South Portland–Biddeford, Maine metropolitan statistical area.

History
Originally known as Saccarappa after Saccarappa Falls on the Presumpscot River, it was a part of Falmouth until February 14, 1814, when it was set off and incorporated as Stroudwater. It soon changed its name to Westbrook after Colonel Thomas Westbrook, a commander during Father Rale's War and King's mast agent who was an early settler and mill operator. In 1871, the town of Westbrook amicably split into two municipalities; the current Westbrook and Deering, which was then annexed by Portland in 1898. In 1891, Westbrook was incorporated as a city.

Saccarappa Falls and Congin Falls provided water power for early mills within the city. In 1829, a sawmill was built at the former which made the mill town noted for its lumber. Other industries followed, manufacturing grain bags, machinery and water wheels, carriage and harness, boots, shoes and moccasins, tinware, leather board, bricks, wooden boxes, box shook, meal and flour. The Portland Manufacturing Company built a cotton textile mill at Saccarappa Falls for making "sheetings, stripes and ducks." A paper mill was built at Cumberland Mills, once an Indian planting ground known as Ammoncongin. By 1859, it produced 1,000 tons of paper annually. In 1867, the factory's name would change to the S. D. Warren Paper Mill.

The Cumberland and Oxford Canal opened in 1832, connecting Portland to Harrison by way of Westbrook and Sebago Lake. It was the primary commercial shipping route for goods until 1871, when it was rendered obsolete by the Portland and Ogdensburg Railroad. Remnants of the canal can still be seen throughout the city, including Beaver Pond, along Stroudwater Street near the Maine Turnpike overpass, and in the woods between Westbrook High School and Oxford-Cumberland Canal Elementary School. In 1885, the city opened Woodlawn Cemetery, the largest cemetery and newest burial grounds in the municipality.

Geography
Westbrook is located at 43.68528°N, -70.35722°W (43.685348, −70.357116).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 17.33 sqmi, of which 17.12 sqmi is land and 0.21 sqmi is water.

Bodies of water
Westbrook is drained primarily by two rivers. The Presumpscot River flows through the center of the city, with two prominent falls (the aforementioned Saccarappa Falls and Congin Falls). The smaller Stroudwater River flows through the southwestern part of the city. The city also contains part of Highland Lake.

Roads and bordering
Westbrook is served by Interstate 95, U.S. Route 302 and State Routes 22 and 25. State Route 25 has a business route, Route 25 business, which is concurrent with Main Street. It is bordered by Portland to the east, South Portland and Scarborough to the south, Gorham and Windham to the west, and Falmouth to the north.

Ice disk
In January 2019, a naturally-occurring ice disk measuring about 100 yards across formed on the Presumpscot River. The unusual formation briefly drew international social media and press attention, and boosted tourism to Westbrook.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 17,494 people, 7,568 households, and 4,456 families living in the city. The population density was 1021.8 PD/sqmi. There were 7,989 housing units at an average density of 466.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 92.3% White, 2.3% African American, 0.2% Native American, 1.9% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.6% from other races, and 2.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.9% of the population.

There were 7,568 households, of which 28.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.2% were married couples living together, 13.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 41.1% were non-families. 30.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.87.

The median age in the city was 39.4 years. 20.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 29.1% were from 25 to 44; 26.5% were from 45 to 64; and 15.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.7% male and 52.3% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 16,142 people, 6,863 households, and 4,261 families living in the city. The population density was 956.9 PD/sqmi. There were 7,089 housing units at an average density of 420.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 96.69% White, 0.88% African American, 0.27% Native American, 0.82% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.28% from other races, and 1.03% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.89% of the population.

There were 6,863 households, out of which 29.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.3% were married couples living together, 12.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.9% were non-families. 30.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.90.

In the city, the age distribution of the population shows 23.4% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 31.0% from 25 to 44, 22.7% from 45 to 64, and 15.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $37,873, and the median income for a family was $47,120. Males had a median income of $32,412 versus $25,769 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,501. About 6.7% of families and 8.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.7% of those under age 18 and 5.7% of those age 65 or over.

Economy
Now primarily a suburb of the larger city of Portland, Westbrook itself has a growing business base and developing core downtown district. IDEXX Laboratories, Inc., a major multi-national corporation, is headquartered in Westbrook. In addition to the downtown area, many of the city's businesses are located within two industrial parks (the Col. Westbrook Industrial Park and Five Star Industrial Park), as well as in the area surrounding Maine Turnpike Exit 48.

The city is home to Sappi Ltd.'s Westbrook Paper Mill and R&D Center. The mill, formerly the S. D. Warren Paper Mill, was once the city's largest employer and taxpayer, employing over 3,000 people and representing over 50% of the city's tax base. However, foreign competition and the age of the mill have drastically reduced its workforce and production. Today the mill has found a niche in the marketplace, becoming one of the nation's top manufacturers of release papers and employing about 300 people. Idexx Laboratories has since surpassed the mill as the city's largest taxpayer. Westbrook was also the home of the first Sebago-Moc shoe factory.

Westbrook is home to the TV station WMTW, southern Maine's ABC affiliate. The station has its studios off County Road.

The faith-based Mercy Hospital of Portland operates Mercy Westbrook, a small community hospital with a minor emergency room and inpatient treatment facilities. Spring Harbor Hospital, southern Maine's only private psychiatric treatment and recovery center, is also located within the city.

Education
Westbrook's public schools are part of the Westbrook School Department.
 * Westbrook High School – Blue Blazes
 * Westbrook Middle School, (grades 5–8) (formerly Fred C. Wescott Junior High School) – Falcons
 * Congin Elementary School, (grades K–4) – Cougars
 * Canal School Elementary School, (grades K–4) – Coyotes
 * Saccarappa Elementary School, (grades K–4) – Shining Stars

The Wescott Junior High School building is now the Westbrook Community Center, with Westbrook Middle School occupying a newly constructed and subsequently expanded facility on a different site down the road from Westbrook High School. Other former schools in the city include Prides Corner Elementary School, which was closed in 2012 and subsequently demolished, with apartments and houses built on the property.

Government and elections
The Westbrook City Council consists of five councilors each representing one of the five city wards and two at-large councilors. The current mayor is Michael Foley. Colleen Hilton was mayor of Westbrook from November 2009 – 2016.

Voter registration

Libraries

 * Walker Memorial Library
 * Warren Memorial Library (closed in 2009)

Neighborhoods
Similar to neighboring Portland and South Portland, Westbrook contains several distinct neighborhoods that are generally recognized by residents but have no legal or political significance. Unlike Portland, however, there is no official signage recognizing these neighborhoods. Some of the notable neighborhoods include:

 * Birdland
 * Cumberland Mills
 * Deer Hill
 * Frenchtown
 * The Hamlet
 * Prides Corner
 * Old Millbrook
 * Westbrook Pointe
 * Woodland
 * Colonial Village
 * Highland Lake

Recreation

In addition to the sports complexes located at Westbrook High School and other schools, the city offers several public recreational areas and facilities, including:
 * Bicentennial Park & Skate Park
 * Riverbank Park
 * Westbrook River Walk – along Presumpscot River in downtown area
 * Cornelia Warren Memorial Trail – along Presumpscot River between Ash St. and Cumberland St.
 * Westbrook River Trail – along Presumpscot River north and east of the Sappi paper mill
 * Rocky Hill – network of trails behind Wescott Community Centre
 * Warren Little League Complex
 * Lincoln Street skating rink – ice hockey in colder months, roller hockey in warmer months
 * East Bridge Street skating rink – winter use only
 * Stroudwater Street skating rink – winter use only
 * East Bridge Street ballfields
 * Warren League Grounds
 * Warren Pool – outdoor public pool, summer use only
 * Davan Pool – indoor pool, open year-round

Sites of interest

 * Acorn Productions Performing Arts Center
 * Westbrook Historical Society & Museum
 * Warren Memorial Fountain

Notable people

 * Benjamin Paul Akers, sculptor
 * John Cumberland, professional baseball player
 * Philip E. Curran, banker and state legislator
 * Robert W. Duplessie, state legislator
 * Kevin Eastman, cartoonist, co-creator of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
 * James Deering Fessenden, Civil War general
 * Artt Frank, musician
 * Ginger Fraser, American football player and coach
 * Scott Garland (a.k.a. Scotty 2 Hotty), professional wrestler
 * George Gore, professional baseball player
 * Al Hawkes, musician
 * Nancy A. Henry, poet
 * Curtis Jonathan Hussey (a.k.a. Fandango), professional wrestler
 * Edmund Needham Morrill, U.S. Congressman and governor of Kansas
 * Eliza Happy Morton, author and educator
 * Ann Peoples, state legislator
 * Alexander Speirs, state legislator
 * Avadis Tevanian, venture capitalist
 * Ronald Usher, state legislator
 * Rudy Vallée, musician, band leader, actor and entertainer
 * Thomas Westbrook, namesake of Westbrook

title: Westbrook, Maine


text:
Windham, Maine

Windham is a town in Cumberland County, Maine, United States. The population was 18,434 at the 2020 census. It includes the villages of South Windham and North Windham. It is part of the Portland–South Portland–Biddeford, Maine Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History
The township was granted in 1734 by the Massachusetts General Court to Abraham Howard, Joseph Blaney and 58 others from Marblehead, Massachusetts. In 1737, New Marblehead Plantation was settled by Captain Thomas Chute. By order of the Massachusetts General Court, a fort was built in spring of 1744 on a hill in the southern part of town near the early center of settlement to offer protection during King George's War. A 50-foot square blockhouse, constructed of 12-inch thick hewn hemlock had an overhanging second story, with firing ports and two swivel guns in watch posts on diagonal corners. The blockhouse was surrounded by a stockade wall of 12-inch diameter log posts 16 feet long. The single gate through the stockade wall was covered by a 4.2-inch (11 cm) bore 9-pounder cannon within the blockhouse.

The town's inhabitants took shelter in the stockade between 1745 and 1751. The last Indian attack on the town occurred on May 14, 1756. New Marblehead Plantation was incorporated on June 12, 1762, as Windham, named for Wymondham in Norfolk, England. Windham Minutemen marched to Portland in response to the Burning of Falmouth on October 18, 1775, and sixteen men were drafted from the town for the Penobscot Expedition. Thirteen Windham men are reported as being members of the Continental Army with George Washington's American Revolutionary War winter encampment at Valley Forge. Windham's nine-pounder cannon and one swivel gun from the stockade blockhouse were loaned to Portland in 1775. Portland had refused to surrender these guns to Captain Henry Mowat as he demanded before he burned the town; and they were placed aboard the privateer Reprieve in 1776.

Most of the early inhabitants were farmers, who found the soil loamy and easily worked. Early subdivision of land was in strips perpendicular to the Presumpscot River and Pleasant River. Each landowner cleared the river floodplain for cropland and had river access for transportation to the coast until River Road and Old Gray Road (United States Route 202) were built linking connected farm buildings on high ground adjacent to the floodplain. Windham provided numerous sites for water power, and as early as 1738 a mill was erected at Mallison Falls. Edmund Fowler and Lester Laflin began manufacturing gunpowder at Gambo Falls (near Newhall) in 1817.

Canal
The Cumberland and Oxford Canal opened in 1832, carrying goods along the Presumpscot River between Sebago Lake and Portland. Population increased along the Presumpscot River as goods manufactured by river water power could be transported to outside markets. In 1859, when Windham's population was 2,380, it had eight sawmills, a corn and flour mill, two shingle mills, a fulling mill, two carding mills, a woolen textile factory, a barrel factory, a chair stuff factory, the gunpowder factory and two tanneries. Oriental Powder Company became the largest gunpowder factory in Maine, and remained in operation until 1905, providing rock blasting powder, gunpowder for belligerents in the Crimean War, and 25 percent of the Union gunpowder supply for the Civil War. A charcoal house, saltpeter refinery, mills, and storehouses were separated along a mile of both banks of the Presumpscot River upstream of Gambo to minimize damage during infrequent explosions.

Railroad
The canal fell into disuse after the Portland and Ogdensburg Railway was completed through South Windham and Newhall in 1875. Maine Central Railroad leased the railway as their Mountain Division in 1888. Availability of year-round transportation encouraged C.A. Brown and Company to build a large brick wood-paper board factory at South Windham in 1875. Androscoggin Pulp Company purchased the factory, and the industrial village of South Windham developed around the pulp mill. By 1886, the town also produced felt, boots and shoes, carriages, harness, coffins, clothing and wooden ware. On April 4, 1919, the legislature passed an act creating the Reformatory for Men at South Windham. It is now the Maine Correctional Center, a minimum to medium security facility for men and women.

Highway
Designation of the transcontinental Roosevelt Trail in 1919 (identified as United States Route 302 since 1935) encouraged increasing numbers of automobile tourists to drive through North Windham. Boody's store was built on the northern corner of the intersection of the Roosevelt Trail and Maine State Route 115 to sell grain, groceries, and hardware. The crossroads village of North Windham has expanded into the commercial center of town through increasing automobile use by Sebago Lake vacationers and suburban Portland commuters.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 50.15 sqmi, of which 46.56 sqmi is land and 3.59 sqmi is water. Located beside Sebago Lake, Windham is drained by the Pleasant River and the Presumpscot River.

Roads and adjoining towns
The town is crossed by U.S. routes 202 and 302, and state routes 4, 35 and 115. It borders the towns of Standish and Gorham to the west, Westbrook to the south, Falmouth and Cumberland to the east, Gray to the northeast and Raymond to the north.

Secondary roads
There are several roads that connect certain parts of the town, as well as to other towns, such as Pope Road (Connecting North Windham to Windham Center), River Road (main connector connecting North Windham and Westbrook), Windham Center Road (mainly crosses the town in an east-west direction, as well as connecting Windham Center to Gorham), and Falmouth Road (connects North Windham to Falmouth).

Parks and Recreation
Windham is home to several parks and recreation facilities including the town hall, Windham Primary school, Manchester Elementary school, Windham Middle and High schools, as well as several parks.

Donnabeth Lippman Park
Donnabeth Lippman Park is located near the business district off Rte 302. The 123 acres includes a 10 acre pond for fishing, miles of hiking and biking trails around the 10 acre pond, a story-walk trail, and a playground. Various birds and wildlife inhabit the park.

Dundee Park
Dundee Park has a beach and picnic area with outdoor grills located in a site along the Presumpscot River. Basketball and volleyball courts are also on the premises.

Notable people

 * John Anderson, US congressman; born in Windham
 * John Albion Andrew, 25th Governor of Massachusetts; born in Windham
 * Barbara Bradshaw, state legislator
 * Mark Bryant, state legislator
 * William Diamond, Secretary of State of Maine and state legislator
 * Jeff Donnell, actress (The Iron Maiden, The Amazing Spider-Man, and General Hospital); born in South Windham
 * Pamela Hayden, actress and voice actress (The Simpsons)
 * Robyn Hurder, Tony Award-nominated musical theater actress
 * Carol Kontos, state legislator
 * James Lovell, Continental Congress member (died in Windham in 1814)
 * Gary Plummer, state legislator
 * Jane Pringle, state legislator

Education
Windham and neighboring Raymond are part of a consolidated school district called RSU 14. Windham based schools in the RSU include Windham Primary School (K–3), Manchester School (4–5), Windham Middle School (6–8), and Windham High School (9–12).

Site of interest

 * Babb’s Bridge
 * Windham Historical Society
 * Goold House
 * Maplewood Farm

title: Windham, Maine


text:
Avon, Maine

Avon is a town in Franklin County, Maine, United States. The population was 450 at the 2020 census. Avon is home to Mount Blue, part of Mount Blue State Park.

History
First known as Township 2 Abbott's Purchase, or Upper Town, it was settled in 1781 by a pair of sea captains—Joshua Soule, originally from Duxbury, Massachusetts and later Bremen, Maine, with Perkins Allen from Martha's Vineyard. The town was incorporated on February 22, 1802, named for the River Avon in England. One of the Worcestershire villages through which River Avon flows is Eckington, birthplace of Capt. Soule's ancestor, George Soule, a Mayflower Pilgrim. Capt. Soule's son, Bishop Joshua Soule, was raised in Avon. Fertile soil on either side of the Sandy River yielded grain, fruit and vegetables. When the population was 767 in 1837, the town produced 3,220 bushels of wheat. By 1875, two sawmills operated on a small stream. In the easterly part of town developed the only village, where some trade was conducted. The Sandy River Railroad opened in 1879, transporting freight and tourists between Farmington, Avon, Strong and Phillips. The narrow gauge line became part of the Sandy River and Rangeley Lakes Railroad in 1908, but was discontinued in 1935 during the Great Depression.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 41.65 sqmi, of which 41.39 sqmi is land and 0.26 sqmi is water. Avon is drained by the Sandy River, a tributary of the Kennebec River. Mount Blue, elevation 3,192 ft above sea level (and part of Mount Blue State Park), is located in the southwestern corner of Avon.

The town is crossed by state routes 4 and 149. It borders the towns of Phillips to the north, Strong to the east, Weld to the west, and Temple to the south.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 461 people, 216 households, and 126 families residing in the town. The population density was 11.1 PD/sqmi. There were 341 housing units at an average density of 8.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 98.0% White, 0.7% African American, 0.2% Asian, 0.7% from other races, and 0.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.1% of the population.

There were 216 households, of which 25.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.3% were married couples living together, 12.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 41.7% were non-families. 34.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.13 and the average family size was 2.65.

The median age in the town was 46.9 years. 21.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 4.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 20.9% were from 25 to 44; 35.8% were from 45 to 64; and 17.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 48.2% male and 51.8% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 504 people, 202 households, and 144 families residing in the town. The population density was 12.2 PD/sqmi. There were 302 housing units at an average density of 7.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 99.40% White, 0.40% African American, 0.20% from other races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.60% of the population.

There were 202 households, out of which 32.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.5% were married couples living together, 14.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.7% were non-families. 20.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 2.87.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 26.4% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 29.4% from 25 to 44, 25.4% from 45 to 64, and 12.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.2 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $29,722, and the median income for a family was $32,250. Males had a median income of $28,125 versus $16,696 for females. The per capita income for the town was $15,573. About 18.4% of families and 20.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.4% of those under age 18 and 25.0% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

 * Joshua Soule, bishop for the Methodist Episcopal Church
 * Daniel Robbins Sylvester, Wisconsin State Assemblyman
 * Zebulon York, Civil War era general for the Confederate States of America, one of only a small number of Northern born-Confederate top brass

title: Avon, Maine


text:
Carrabassett Valley, Maine

Carrabassett Valley is a town in Franklin County, Maine, United States. The population was 673 at the 2020 census.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 77.62 sqmi, of which 77.48 sqmi is land and 0.14 sqmi is water. It is named after the Carrabassett River, which flows through the town. The Appalachian Trail crosses the western side of the town, climbing the slopes of Sugarloaf Mountain and the summit of Crocker Mountain. It is the highest elevated incorporated settlement in the state.

Skiing
Carrabassett Valley is home to Sugarloaf, a major ski resort and Carrabassett Valley Academy, a ski and snowboard academy.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 781 people, 373 households, and 219 families living in the town. The population density was 10.1 PD/sqmi. There were 2,103 housing units at an average density of 27.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 98.1% White, 0.1% Native American, 0.5% Asian, and 1.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.5% of the population.

There were 373 households, of which 21.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.1% were married couples living together, 3.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 1.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 41.3% were non-families. 32.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.06 and the average family size was 2.62.

The median age in the town was 50 years. 16.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 18.2% were from 25 to 44; 46.6% were from 45 to 64; and 14.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 52.8% male and 47.2% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 399 people, 179 households, and 110 families living in the town. The population density was 5.2 PD/sqmi. There were 1,675 housing units at an average density of 21.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 99.00% White, 0.25% Asian, and 0.75% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.75% of the population.

There were 179 households, out of which 25.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.5% were married couples living together, 5.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.5% were non-families. 27.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.71.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 20.1% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 31.6% from 25 to 44, 31.8% from 45 to 64, and 8.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 111.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 112.7 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $45,357, and the median income for a family was $55,938. Males had a median income of $32,500 versus $28,750 for females. The per capita income for the town was $25,608. About 1.9% of families and 7.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.9% of those under age 18 and 6.1% of those age 65 or over.

title: Carrabassett Valley, Maine


text:
Carthage, Maine

Carthage is a town in Franklin County, Maine, United States. The population was 509 at the 2020 census.

History
First known as Plantation No. 4, Abbott's Purchase, it was part of a large tract of land bought in 1815 by Jacob Abbott of Wilton, New Hampshire from Jonathan Phillips of Boston, who had purchased an even larger tract from the state of Massachusetts about 1790. Plantation No. 4 was noted for extensive forests of pine and valuable formations of limestone. In 1804, William Bowley and his family from Bristol, New Hampshire settled in Plantation No. 4, and with his brother Oliver and father Gideon, built the first sawmill at what was called Bowley's Mills on the Webb River at the foot of Webb Lake. They built a gristmill the following year.

The town was incorporated on February 20, 1826, and named after Carthage, the ancient Mediterranean city in what is today Tunisia in North Africa. In 1849, land was set off to form a new Plantation No. 4. By 1880, when the population was 507, Carthage had farms, two sawmills, a gristmill and a limestone quarry.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 33.46 sqmi, of which 33.33 sqmi is land and 0.13 sqmi is water. Carthage is drained by the Webb River, which meanders south from Webb Lake to join the Androscoggin River. The town is situated in a valley between ranges of foothills and mountains.

The town is served by Maine State Route 142. It borders the towns of Weld to the north, Perkins Plantation, Plantation No. 4, Wilton and Temple to the east, and Mexico and Dixfield to the south in Oxford County.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 560 people, 223 households, and 144 families living in the town. The population density was 16.8 PD/sqmi. There were 346 housing units at an average density of 10.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 97.1% White, 0.4% Asian, and 2.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.4% of the population.

There were 223 households, of which 28.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.8% were married couples living together, 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 35.4% were non-families. 27.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.01.

The median age in the town was 44.2 years. 21.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.3% were from 25 to 44; 35.8% were from 45 to 64; and 12.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 53.6% male and 46.4% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 520 people, 198 households, and 144 families living in the town. The population density was 15.7 PD/sqmi. There were 291 housing units at an average density of 8.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 97.31% White, 0.38% African American, 0.96% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 0.19% from other races, and 0.96% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.58% of the population.

There were 198 households, out of which 34.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.1% were married couples living together, 6.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.8% were non-families. 19.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 26.9% under the age of 18, 4.8% from 18 to 24, 33.1% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and 12.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 115.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 109.9 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $29,773, and the median income for a family was $32,917. Males had a median income of $30,625 versus $16,964 for females. The per capita income for the town was $12,169. About 8.2% of families and 12.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.4% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.

Site of interest

 * Carthage Historical Society & Museum

Notable person

 * Hiram Pitt Bennet, Congressional delegate from the Territory of Colorado and Colorado Secretary of State

title: Carthage, Maine


text:
Chesterville, Maine

Chesterville is a town in Franklin County, Maine, United States. The population was 1,328 at the 2020 census.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 37.55 sqmi, of which 36.17 sqmi is land and 1.38 sqmi is water.

2010 census
At the 2010 census there were 1,352 people, 549 households, and 392 families living in the town. The population density was 37.4 PD/sqmi. There were 779 housing units at an average density of 21.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 97.3% White, 0.1% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.1% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.4%.

Of the 549 households 29.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.2% were married couples living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 28.6% were non-families. 22.8% of households were one person and 7.8% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.81.

The median age in the town was 44.1 years. 20.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24% were from 25 to 44; 34.3% were from 45 to 64; and 14.3% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the town was 49.4% male and 50.6% female.

2000 census
At the 2000 census there were 1,170 people, 467 households, and 324 families living in the town. The population density was 32.1 PD/sqmi. There were 684 housing units at an average density of 18.8 per square mile (7.2/km$2$). The racial makeup of the town was 98.46% White, 1.20% Asian, 0.09% from other races, and 0.26% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.51%.

Of the 467 households 33.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.5% were married couples living together, 7.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.6% were non-families. 22.1% of households were one person and 7.7% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 2.94.

The age distribution was 25.0% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 29.1% from 25 to 44, 27.3% from 45 to 64, and 10.9% 65 or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.1 males.

The median household income was $31,563 and the median family income was $35,938. Males had a median income of $29,615 versus $20,592 for females. The per capita income for the town was $15,376. About 10.0% of families and 12.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.7% of those under age 18 and 15.2% of those age 65 or over.

Notable person

 * H. B. Goodwin (1827–1893), novelist

title: Chesterville, Maine


text:
Chisholm, Maine

Chisholm is a census-designated place (CDP) in the town of Jay in Franklin County, Maine, United States. The population was 1,380 at the 2010 census. It is an industrial village named for Hugh J. Chisholm, who built the Otis Falls Pulp & Paper Company here in 1888 to use Androscoggin River water power.

Geography
Chisholm is located along the southern edge of the town of Jay at 44.48667°N, -70.195°W (44.486532, -70.195040). It is bordered to the south by the town of Livermore Falls in Androscoggin and is contiguous with that town's urban core.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the Chisholm CDP has a total area of 5.66 km2, all land. It is located on the east side of the Androscoggin River.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,399 people, 633 households, and 405 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 641.6 PD/sqmi. There were 688 housing units at an average density of 315.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 98.36% White, 0.36% African American, 0.36% Native American, 0.21% Asian, 0.36% from other races, and 0.36% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.00% of the population.

There were 633 households, out of which 24.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.2% were married couples living together, 12.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.9% were non-families. 29.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.69.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 20.8% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 24.9% from 25 to 44, 25.7% from 45 to 64, and 20.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.3 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $35,500, and the median income for a family was $39,148. Males had a median income of $40,161 versus $23,438 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $19,251. About 7.2% of families and 11.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.4% of those under age 18 and 4.6% of those age 65 or over.

title: Chisholm, Maine


text:
Coplin Plantation, Maine

Coplin Plantation is a plantation in Franklin County, Maine, United States. The population was 131 at the 2020 census.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the plantation has a total area of 33.1 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 135 people, 58 households, and 37 families residing in the plantation. The population density was 4.1 PD/sqmi. There were 160 housing units at an average density of 4.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the plantation was 99.26% White, and 0.74% from two or more races.

There were 58 households, out of which 34.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.4% were married couples living together, 5.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.2% were non-families. 24.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.78.

In the plantation the population was spread out, with 23.7% under the age of 18, 2.2% from 18 to 24, 31.1% from 25 to 44, 28.1% from 45 to 64, and 14.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 121.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 123.9 males.

The median income for a household in the plantation was $27,500, and the median income for a family was $29,063. Males had a median income of $36,250 versus $17,321 for females. The per capita income for the plantation was $13,490. There were 15.8% of families and 13.6% of the population living below the poverty line, including 23.9% of under eighteens and 7.4% of those over 64.

title: Coplin Plantation, Maine


text:
Dallas Plantation, Maine

Dallas Plantation is a plantation in Franklin County, Maine, United States. The population was 304 at the 2020 census.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the plantation has a total area of 40.4 sqmi, of which 39.0 sqmi is land and 1.4 sqmi  (3.46%) is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 250 people, 110 households, and 77 families residing in the plantation. The population density was 6.4 PD/sqmi. There were 371 housing units at an average density of 9.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the plantation was 98.40% White and 1.60% Native American.

There were 110 households, out of which 26.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.8% were married couples living together, 3.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.1% were non-families. 20.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.53.

In the plantation the population was spread out, with 18.8% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 27.6% from 25 to 44, 31.6% from 45 to 64, and 14.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.1 males.

The median income for a household in the plantation was $36,875, and the median income for a family was $39,000. Males had a median income of $25,000 versus $17,813 for females. The per capita income for the plantation was $17,370. About 6.4% of families and 11.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.5% of those under the age of eighteen and 3.8% of those 65 or over.

title: Dallas Plantation, Maine


text:
Eustis, Maine

Eustis is a town in Franklin County, Maine, United States. The population was 641 at the 2020 census. Eustis, which includes the village of Stratton, is a popular recreation area.

History
Benedict Arnold and his troops passed through the area on October 19, 1775, on their way up the North Branch of the Dead River to fight in the ill-fated Battle of Quebec.

Eustis was first called Township No. 1 of Range 4, West of Bingham's Kennebec Purchase. The original settler was Caleb Stevens from New Hampshire, who brought his wife and nine children. About 1831, the northern half of the township was purchased from the state of Maine by two men, one of whom was Charles L. Eustis of Lewiston. That same year he built a sawmill and gristmill. In 1840, the township was organized as Hanover Plantation, which about 1850 became part of the larger Jackson Plantation. On March 30, 1857, however, the township was set off and organized as Eustis Plantation, named after its early proprietor. Then on February 18, 1871, with a population of 342, it was officially incorporated as a town.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 41.48 sqmi, of which 39.13 sqmi is land and 2.35 sqmi is water. Eustis is drained by the Dead River.

Climate
This climatic region is typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Eustis has a humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfb" on climate maps.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 618 people, 313 households, and 179 families living in the town. The population density was 15.8 PD/sqmi. There were 822 housing units at an average density of 21.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 98.5% White, 0.2% African American, 0.6% Native American, 0.3% Asian, and 0.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.5% of the population.

There were 313 households, of which 19.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.3% were married couples living together, 5.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 42.8% were non-families. 33.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.97 and the average family size was 2.47.

The median age in the town was 49.4 years. 14.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 18.6% were from 25 to 44; 37.3% were from 45 to 64; and 23.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 52.8% male and 47.2% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 685 people, 302 households, and 170 families living in the town. The population density was 17.5 PD/sqmi. There were 747 housing units at an average density of 19.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 95.47% White, 0.44% African American, 2.04% Native American, 0.15% Asian, and 1.90% from two or more races.

There were 302 households, out of which 26.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.4% were married couples living together, 8.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.4% were non-families. 32.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.90.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 24.4% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 28.0% from 25 to 44, 26.6% from 45 to 64, and 13.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 106.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.6 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $28,000, and the median income for a family was $35,000. Males had a median income of $27,614 versus $21,111 for females. The per capita income for the town was $13,274. About 7.7% of families and 14.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.8% of those under age 18 and 9.4% of those age 65 or over.

Sites of interest

 * Bigelow Preserve
 * Dead River Area Historical Society
 * Flagstaff Lake

title: Eustis, Maine


text:
Industry, Maine

Industry is a town in Franklin County, Maine, United States. The population was 788 at the 2020 census. It was named from the industrious habits of its citizens.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 30.98 sqmi, of which 29.75 sqmi is land and 1.23 sqmi is water.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 929 people, 376 households, and 264 families living in the town. The population density was 31.2 PD/sqmi. There were 625 housing units at an average density of 21.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 97.2% White, 0.1% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.1% Asian, and 2.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.4% of the population.

There were 376 households, of which 31.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.2% were married couples living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 29.8% were non-families. 23.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 2.93.

The median age in the town was 44.1 years. 24.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.8% were from 25 to 44; 33.3% were from 45 to 64; and 15.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 49.5% male and 50.5% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 790 people, 306 households, and 219 families living in the town. The population density was 26.4 PD/sqmi. There were 487 housing units at an average density of 16.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 98.35% White, 0.63% African American, and 1.01% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.51% of the population.

There were 306 households, out of which 28.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.7% were married couples living together, 4.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.4% were non-families. 20.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 25.9% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 30.1% from 25 to 44, 24.6% from 45 to 64, and 13.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.7 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $32,292, and the median income for a family was $36,875. Males had a median income of $29,375 versus $18,875 for females. The per capita income for the town was $14,403. About 13.1% of families and 18.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.6% of those under age 18 and 18.0% of those age 65 or over.

Notable person

 * Will Bonsall, author, seed saver and veganic farmer

title: Industry, Maine


text:
Jay, Maine

Jay is a town in Franklin County, Maine, United States. Jay was included in the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine metropolitan New England city and town area. The population was 4,620 at the 2020 United States Census. Jay includes the village of Chisholm.

History
This was once territory of the Anasagunticook (or Androscoggin) Abenaki Indians, whose main village was Rockameko, located on Canton Point. They were decimated by smallpox in 1757. The township was then granted by the Massachusetts General Court to Captain Joseph Phipps and 63 others for their services in the French and Indian War. Called Phipps-Canada, the plantation was not settled until after the Revolutionary War. On February 26, 1795, Phipps-Canada was incorporated as Jay for John Jay, the first chief justice of the Supreme Court.

Originally in Cumberland County, Jay became part of the formation of Oxford County on March 4, 1805 (affirmed part of Oxford County in 1808), then of Franklin County on May 9, 1838. In 1821, Canton was set off from Jay and incorporated as a town.

Farmers found the soil to be loamy and productive, yielding great quantities of hay, corn, wheat, potatoes, oats and apples. In 1793, a tavern was constructed at Jay Hill. On the Androscoggin River near Jay Hill was erected a toll bridge, then in 1839 a sawmill. At North Jay was built a sawmill, brickyard and granite quarry. White granite from the North Jay Granite Company, established in 1884, would be used to construct numerous important buildings throughout the country, including Grant's Tomb. East Jay had a sawmill, and Bean's Corner a carriage factory. In 1857, the Maine Central Railroad reached town.

Jay had a population of 1,490 in 1870. The following years would see papermaking develop into the town's predominant industry. In 1888, industrialist Hugh J. Chisholm built at southern Jay the Otis Falls Pulp & Paper Company mill, then the third largest paper mill in the country. Nearby developed the mill town village of Chisholm. In 1898, it became one of the founding mills of International Paper. In 1905, International Paper built a mill on the opposite side of the river, which became known as the Otis mill. The mill was known as James River through the 1980s. In 1998, this mill was sold to Wausau Paper from a group of investors. In 1965, International Paper opened the Androscoggin Mill. It is an integrated pulp and finished paper goods plant, employing 990 people operating five paper machines. In 1987-88, it was site of a major strike by members of the United Paperworkers' International Union against International Paper, which ultimately led to management hiring strikebreakers to permanently replace the strikers. In March 2009, Wausau Paper announced the closing of the Otis mill. Operations there stopped permanently at the end of May 2009.

On April 15, 2020, the Androscoggin Mill was rocked by an explosion, which resulted in the damage of two trucks from falling debris.

Natural resources
In addition to the abundance of trees common to Maine towns, Jay has a large deposit of granite, most notably white granite, and Jay granite has been used in buildings and projects across the nation.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 49.20 sqmi, of which 48.38 sqmi is land and 0.82 sqmi is water. Jay is drained by Seven Mile Stream and the Androscoggin River.

The town is crossed by state routes 4, 17, 133, 140 and 156. It is bounded by the towns of Wilton to the north, Chesterville to the east, Livermore and Livermore Falls to the south, and Canton and Dixfield to the west.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 4,851 people, 2,032 households, and 1,394 families residing in the town. The population density was 100.3 PD/sqmi. There were 2,252 housing units at an average density of 46.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 98.1% White, 0.2% African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.1% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.4% of the population.

There were 2,032 households, of which 29.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.9% were married couples living together, 11.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 31.4% were non-families. Of all households, 25.2% were made up of individuals, and 10.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.78.

The median age in the town was 43.3 years. 22.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.1% were from 25 to 44; 30% were from 45 to 64; and 17.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 49.1% male and 50.9% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 4,985 people, 2,019 households, and 1,449 families residing in the town. The population density was 102.9 PD/sqmi. There were 2,155 housing units at an average density of 44.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 97.91% White, 0.26% African American, 0.46% Native American, 0.22% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.10% from other races, and 0.98% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.48% of the population.

There were 2,019 households, out of which 32.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.9% were married couples living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.2% were non-families. Of all households, 22.9% were made up of individuals, and 10.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 2.87.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 26.2% under the age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 28.2% from 25 to 44, 25.3% from 45 to 64, and 14.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.5 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $36,746, and the median income for a family was $43,365. Males had a median income of $35,405 versus $20,897 for females. The per capita income for the town was $17,123. About 8.7% of families and 10.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.8% of those under age 18 and 7.9% of those age 65 or over.

Sites of interest

 * Holmes-Crafts Homestead

Government
The Town of Jay is governed by a five-member board of select men and a town manager. Selectmen serve three year terms and not limited in the number of terms they serve. Selectmens' meetings are held every other Monday in the Selectmens' Room at the town office. The current selectmen are:

Town Manager: Shiloh Lafreniere
 * 1) Judy Diaz
 * 2) Tom Goding
 * 3) Timothy DeMillo
 * 4) Gary McGrane
 * 5) Terry Bergeron

In addition, Jay has a planning board, a board of appeals, a board of assessment review, a recreation committee, and a budget committee.

Education
The Jay School Department was owned by The Town of Jay and was governed by a five-member school committee and one superintendent. The district consisted of one elementary, middle and high school. In 2010 the estimated the districtwide student population was approximately 700 students. Jay School Department was recognized as the third smallest school district (with the exception of unorganized territory school districts) in the State of Maine. Because of the size of the school district and excellent ratings the school districts received extra federal funding for being one of America's Top Performing School Districts with a population of under 1,000.

During the 2010–2011 school year Jay Elementary School held about 220 students serving grade Pre-K through 3rd. The school was built in the mid-1960s and a small addition was added. The elementary school was redone in the summer of 2018

Jay Middle School in the 2010–2011 school year had an estimated population of about 250 students in grades 4–8. The middle school, finished in 1997, consists of two floors, and is the newest school in the district. The school connects onto the Jay Community Building, where the townspeople vote and special meetings are held. The top floor of community building is where the large gymnasium is located. The Jay School Committee often meets in the middle school cafeteria or library because of the large space.

Jay High School had an estimated population of about 250 during the 2010–2011 school year in grades 9–12. The Jay High School building opened in the fall of 1970 and since then has held high school classes for students in Jay since. The building offers a unique architecture as it has a large domed gym, formerly known as The Tiger Dome; the tigers being the school and district mascot. The large gymnasium makes up about a quarter of the whole building's square footage and classes are held in wing off the center of the building.

In 2010 Jay Schools consolidated with RSU 36 encompassing Livermore and Livermore Falls to form RSU 73. Jay High School and Livermore Falls High School were renamed Spruce Mountain High School North and South campuses respectively. The Tigers and Andies mascots were replaced by the Spruce Mountain Phoenix, to signify the rebirth of the schools. Livermore Falls Middle School was closed in the summer of 2011 and the students and faculty were incorporated into the new Spruce Mountain Middle School located at the former Jay Middle School building. Plans to unite the two high schools under one roof were laid with a number of options available, a) Extend the current North Campus facility to accommodate the students and staff from the South Campus, b) Install portable buildings to increase the space at North Campus to facilitate the union of the high schools, c) relocate the Spruce Mountain Middle School to the South Campus and move the South Campus High School to the North Campus. The vote to allow the raising of a bond to enable the building of the planned extension failed in early 2012 and the other options were examined. The School District budget has failed on two successive votes in all three towns following the failed bond vote.

Eventually the south campus was abandoned and all students were moved to the north campus. Many classrooms were divided in half to accommodate the greater number of students. In June 2016, the first class of Spruce Mountain High School to be fully consolidated throughout high school graduated.

Notable people

 * Franklin W. Johnson, president of Colby College (1929–1942)
 * Edwin Thompson, head coach of the Georgetown baseball team

title: Jay, Maine


text:
Kingfield, Maine

Kingfield is a town in Franklin County, Maine, United States. The population was 960 at the 2020 census. Kingfield, the primary village in the town, is a census-designated place.

Kingfield is the principal gateway to Sugarloaf, a major ski resort, and is headquarters to Maine Huts and Trails.

History

The first recorded European visitors were John W. Dutton and Nathaniel Kimball in 1805. They returned the following year with their families and began a settlement. In 1807, William King (later to be Maine's first Governor) purchased the township as part of the Bigham Plantation. In 1816 Kingfield was incorporated as the 210th town in the Maine District of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Salomon Stanley was one of the earliest town settlers. His twin sons, Francis Edgar (F.E.) and Freelan Oscar (F.O.) became famous as manufacturers of Stanley Dry Plate, bought in 1903 by Eastman Kodak, and the Stanley Steamer automobile, manufactured from 1902 to 1924. Their sister, Chansonetta, became a photographer renowned for her portraits of local rural life. The Stanley Museum celebrates the family and its accomplishments.

Kingfield supported both agriculture and industry, drawing power from the Carrabassett River to power several sawmills, a clover mill, carding mill, flour mill, tannery, and a rake factory. All these mills are now closed. There was also a depot of a narrow-gauge railroad, which ceased to run in 1936.

In the early 1950s, local residents began developing Sugarloaf Mountain as a ski resort. Today Kingfield is known primarily as a gateway to Sugarloaf. In 2007 Nestlé opened a Poland Spring bottling plant in Kingfield. Kingfield is a Trail Town of the Appalachian Trail, being near Mount Abraham and the Bigelow Range.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 43.28 sqmi, of which 43.12 sqmi is land and 0.16 sqmi is water. Situated in the Carrabassett River valley, Kingfield is drained by the Carrabassett River.

Climate
This climatic region is typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Kingfield has a humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfb" on climate maps.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 997 people, 447 households, and 268 families living in the town. The population density was 23.1 PD/sqmi. There were 695 housing units at an average density of 16.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 97.5% White, 0.4% African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.9% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, and 0.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.4% of the population.

There were 447 households, of which 25.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.9% were married couples living together, 6.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.0% were non-families. 30.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.78.

The median age in the town was 46.3 years. 20.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 4.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.7% were from 25 to 44; 34.3% were from 45 to 64; and 18.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 49.8% male and 50.2% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,103 people, 454 households, and 304 families living in the town. The population density was 25.4 PD/sqmi. There were 659 housing units at an average density of 15.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 98.37% White, 0.09% Native American, 0.18% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 0.27% from other races, and 1.00% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.18% of the population. 24.8% were of English, 18.0% American, 12.1% Irish, 8.0% French, 6.5% German, 5.3% French Canadian and 5.0% Finnish ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 454 households, out of which 32.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.5% were married couples living together, 11.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.0% were non-families. 24.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.90.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 26.8% under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 29.5% from 25 to 44, 23.2% from 45 to 64, and 13.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.9 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $29,250, and the median income for a family was $37,614. Males had a median income of $27,059 versus $20,547 for females. The per capita income for the town was $15,954. About 5.1% of families and 9.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.3% of those under age 18 and 14.9% of those age 65 or over.

Culture

 * The Kingfield POPS! charitable organization (2003)

Sites of interest

 * Frank Hutchins House, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and home of the Kingfield Historical Society Museum
 * Stanley Museum

Education
Kingfield is part of Regional School Unit Number 58 and Maine School Administrative District Number 58.

Schools in the district include Kingfield Elementary School for students from Kindergarten to grade 8.

Notable people

 * Baychar (born 1949), visual artist
 * Eugene Clark (1850–1932), Wisconsin state senator
 * Edward L. Dexter (1922–2001), Maine state legislator
 * Chansonetta Stanley Emmons, photographer
 * William King, first governor of Maine
 * Francis E. Stanley, inventor, businessman
 * Freelan O. Stanley, inventor, businessman

title: Kingfield, Maine


text:
Madrid, Maine

Madrid is a former town, now a part of the unorganized territory of East Central Franklin, in Franklin County, Maine, United States. The population was 173 at the 2000 census.

History
It was part of an extensive tract of land purchased from Massachusetts about 1790 by Jonathan Phillips of Boston, then acquired by his agent, Jacob Abbott from Wilton, New Hampshire. First settled about 1807 or 1808, it was incorporated as a town in 1836 and named after Madrid, Spain. In 1854, it was the site of Maine's first gold strike.

Although Madrid's northern topography is mountainous, other parts suited cultivation. In 1837, when the population was 351, farms harvested 3,387 bushels of wheat.

Industry developed because the falls in the Sandy River provided water power for mills: these included three sawmills, a gristmill, two clapboard machines, and two shingle machines. The town was noted for producing lumber and carriages. By 1859, the population was 404. In 1880, it had reached 437.

But in the late 20th century, the population declined, as industry changed and the young moved to larger cities. In April 2000, the town of Madrid disincorporated. Citing "apathy", its government was dissolved, and Madrid became part of the unorganized territory of East Central Franklin.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 108.2 km2, of which 108.1 km2 is land and 0.2 km2  (0.14%) is water. Madrid is drained by the head branches of the Sandy River, a tributary of the Kennebec River. Much of the topography is uneven, with the northern portion mountainous. The Appalachian Trail crosses the northwest corner of the town.

The former town is crossed by Maine State Route 4. It bordered the towns of Phillips to the south, with the unorganized territory of East Central Franklin to the north and east.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 173 people, 72 households, and 55 families residing in the town. The population density was 1.6 /km2. There were 208 housing units at an average density of 1.9 /km2. The racial makeup of the town was 100.00% White.

There were 72 households, out of which 27.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.3% were married couples living together, 5.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.6% were non-families. 18.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.71.

In the town the population was spread out, with 23.7% under the age of 18, 3.5% from 18 to 24, 27.7% from 25 to 44, 34.1% from 45 to 64, and 11.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.1 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $22,292, and the median income for a family was $29,063. Males had a median income of $16,563 versus $16,429 for females. The per capita income for the town was $12,192. None of the families and 5.5% of the population were living below the poverty line, including no under eighteens and 29.4% of those over 64.

Sites of interest

 * Madrid Historical Society & Museum
 * Smalls Falls
 * Reeds Mill Church http://www.reedsmillchurch.org Only church built in Madrid, 1892

title: Madrid, Maine


text:
New Sharon, Maine

New Sharon is a town in Franklin County, Maine, incorporated in 1794. The population was 1,458 at the 2020 census. The town is roughly bisected by the Sandy River, a tributary of the Kennebec River.

Fred H. Hale Sr., who was recognized as the world's oldest living man from March 5, 2004, to November 19, 2004, was born in the town on December 1, 1890.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 46.83 sqmi, of which 46.19 sqmi is land and 0.64 sqmi is water.

Climate
This climatic region is typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, New Sharon has a humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfb" on climate maps.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 1,407 people, 585 households, and 405 families living in the town. The population density was 30.5 PD/sqmi. There were 700 housing units at an average density of 15.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 97.4% White, 0.1% African American, 0.9% Native American, 0.1% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.9% of the population.

There were 585 households, of which 30.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.4% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 30.8% were non-families. 24.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.80.

The median age in the town was 43.7 years. 22.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.6% were from 25 to 44; 32.9% were from 45 to 64; and 14.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 50.0% male and 50.0% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,297 people, 518 households, and 360 families living in the town. The population density was 28.2 PD/sqmi. There were 598 housing units at an average density of 13.0 per square mile (5.0/km$2$). The racial makeup of the town was 98.92% White, 0.23% African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.31% Asian, 0.08% from other races, and 0.23% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.46% of the population.

There were 518 households, out of which 30.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.7% were married couples living together, 6.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.5% were non-families. 23.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 24.5% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 27.8% from 25 to 44, 28.0% from 45 to 64, and 12.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.2 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $33,083, and the median income for a family was $37,171. Males had a median income of $29,118 versus $21,927 for females. The per capita income for the town was $15,690. About 12.3% of families and 15.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.2% of those under age 18 and 5.5% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

 * Barry Longyear, author
 * Melanie Sachs, member of the Maine House of Representatives

title: New Sharon, Maine