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Lewiston, Maine

Lewiston is the second most populous city in the U.S. state of Maine, with the city's population at 37,121 as of the 2020 United States Census. The city lies halfway between Augusta, the state's capital, and Portland, the state's most populous city. It is one-half of the Lewiston–Auburn Metropolitan Statistical Area, commonly referred to as "L/A." or "L-A." Lewiston exerts a significant impact upon the diversity, religious variety, commerce, education, and economic power of Maine. It is known for having an overall low cost of living, substantial access to medical care, and a low violent-crime rate. In recent years, the city of Lewiston has also seen a spike in economic and social growth. While the dominant language spoken in the city is English, it is home to a significant Somali population as well as the largest French-speaking population in the United States (by population) while it is second to St. Martin Parish, Louisiana, in percentage of speakers.

The Lewiston area traces its roots to 1669 with the early presence of the Androscoggin tribe (the namesake of the county in which the city resides). In the late 18th century, in 1795, Lewiston was incorporated as Lewistown. The presence of the Androscoggin River and Lewistown Falls made the town an attractive area for manufacturing and hydro-power businesses. The rise of Boston rail and textile tycoon Benjamin Bates saw rapid economic growth rivaling that of Cambridge, Worcester, and Concord. Irish immigrants were recruited to build the railroad links and dig the canals for the textile mills. The Irish stayed, and worked the mills and established flourishing businesses, as evidenced by the McGillicuddy, Callahan, and other Blocks and the St. Joseph's and St. Patrick's churches. In the 1850 U.S. Census, Lewiston was 23% Irish born. The increase in economic stimulus prompted thousands of Quebecers to migrate, causing a population boom; the populace rose from 1,801 in 1840 to 21,701 in 1890. In 1855, local preacher Oren Burbank Cheney founded the Maine State Seminary, the first coeducational university in New England and one of the first universities to admit black students before the Emancipation Proclamation. Lewistown quickly became associated with the liberal arts and was incorporated as "Lewiston" in 1864, a year before the college was chartered as Bates College.

The city is home to the only basilica in Maine, Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul; 5 colleges and universities; 44 listings on the National Register of Historic Places; the Androscoggin Bank Colisée; the Stephens Observatory; the Olin Arts Center; the Bates College Museum of Art (BCMoA); and two significant general hospitals: Central Maine Medical Center and Saint Mary's Regional Medical Center.

Conception
Prior to European colonization, the region of Lewiston was inhabited by the Androscoggin, an Abenaki people. During the 17th century, Androscoggin were among the first Native American tribes to make contact with European colonists in Maine. Relations soon deteriorated over colonial expansion, and conflicts with colonists and epidemics of infectious diseases devastated the Androscoggin, which responded by migrating to New France from 1669 onwards. By 1680, the Androscoggin had been completely driven out of Maine. The governor of New France, Louis de Buade, allocated them two seigneuries on the Saint Francis River.

Colonial beginnings
A grant comprising the area of Lewiston was given to Moses Little and Jonathan Bagley, members of the Pejepscot Proprietors, on January 28, 1768, on the condition that fifty families live in the area before June 1, 1774. Bagley and Little named the new town Lewistown. Paul Hildreth was the first man to settle in Lewiston in the fall of 1770. By 1795, Lewiston was officially incorporated as a town. At least four houses that have survived from this period are currently listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

King Avenue and Ralph Avenue were named after Ralph Luthor King, who owned the land near the fairgrounds. Elliott Avenue was named after his wife, Grace O. Elliott, whose son eventually built the family home at 40 Wellman Street.

Industrial development and Benjamin Bates
Lewiston was a slow but steadily growing farm town throughout its early history. By the early-to-mid-19th century, however, as water power was being honed, Lewiston's location on the Androscoggin River would prove to make it a perfect location for emerging industry. In 1809, Michael Little built a large wooden sawmill next to the falls. Burned in 1814 by an arsonist, it was later rebuilt. In 1836, local entrepreneurs—predominantly the Little family and friends—formed the Androscoggin Falls Dam, Lock & Canal Company:"...for the purpose of erecting and constructing dams, locks, canals, mills, works, machines, and buildings on their own lands and also manufacturing cotton, wool, iron, steel, and paper in the towns of Lewiston, Minot, and Danville."

The sales of stock attracted Boston investors—including Thomas J. Hill, Lyman Nichols, George L. Ward and Alexander De Witt. De Witt convinced textile and rail tycoon Benjamin Bates, then-President of the Union Pacific Railroad, to come to Lewiston and fund the emerging Lewiston Water Power Company. Soon after Bates arrived, the company created the first canal in the city. In the spring of 1850, some 400 Irish men recruited in and around Boston by construction contractor Patrick O'Donnell arrived in Lewiston and began work on the canal system. Impressed with the labor force and "working spirit" of the Lewistonions, Bates founded the Bates Manufacturing Company, leading to the construction of 5 mills starting with Bates Mill No. 1. In August 1850, Maine Governor John Hubbard signed the incorporation act and the mill was completed 1852. Bates positioned the mill in Lewiston due to the location of the Lewiston Falls which provided the mill with power. Under Bates' supervision, during the Civil War, the mill produced textiles for the Union Army. His mills generated employment for thousands of Irish, Canadians, and immigrants from Europe. The mill was Maine's largest employer for three decades.

This company began Lewiston's transformation from a small farming town into a textile manufacturing center on the model of Lowell, Massachusetts. The creation of the Bates manufacturing trusts saw rapid economic growth, positioning the city as the wealthiest city in Maine, and created budding affluent districts such as the Main Street–Frye Street Historic District. Although the odd-majority of the population was working class, a distinctive upper class emerged at this time. The Bates Mill remained the largest employer in Lewiston from the 1850s to the mid-late 20th century.

Railroad construction was key to the development of both Lewiston and its neighbor, Auburn. In 1849, the Androscoggin & Kennebec railroad, running through Lewiston and Auburn, connected these towns to Waterville and the St. Lawrence & Atlantic Railway line between Portland, Maine, and Montreal, Quebec. The Androscoggin & Kennebec Railroad was constructed by Irish laborers, many of whom joined the Lewiston canal construction crews in 1850. The Irish laborers and their families lived in shanty-town neighborhoods called "patches". By 1854, one quarter of Lewiston's population was Irish, the highest concentration in any settlement in Maine. Subsequently, trains connected Quebec with Lewiston on a daily schedule. During the Civil War, the high demand for textiles helped Lewiston develop a strong industrial base through the Bates Enterprise. However, the concentration of wealth in Benjamin Bates sparked the 1861 Lewiston cotton riots which prompted him to give thousands of dollars back to the city and expand the employment opportunities at his mills. In 1861, a flood of French-Canadian immigration into Maine began, spawned by industrial work opportunities in Maine cities with water power from waterfalls. This brought a significant influx of Québécois millworkers who worked alongside Irish immigrants and Yankee mill girls. Lewiston's population boomed between 1840 and 1890 from 1,801 to 21,701. Canadiens settled in an area downtown that became known as Little Canada, and Lewiston's character has remained largely Franco-American ever since. In 1855, a Maine preacher traveled from Parsonsfield to Lewiston to establish an institution of higher learning in the city. In 1855, the Maine State Legislature was petitioned by Lewiston locals to found the Maine State Seminary. The school opened in 1855, and educated the working class of Maine while also providing education for blacks and women at a time when other universities barred their entrance. At its founding, it became the first coeducational college in New England and one of the earliest proponents of abolitionism.

During this time, in 1863, Lewiston was incorporated as a city. In 1872, St. Peter's church was built in Lewiston. This was the first French-Canadian national church in Maine. In 1864, the Maine State Seminary was renamed Bates College in honor of Benjamin Bates.

In 1880, Le Messager, a French-language newspaper, began printing in Lewiston to serve its predominant ethnic population. The local Kora Shrine was organized in 1891 and held its first meetings in a Masonic temple on Lisbon Street. This group would from 1908 to 1910 build the Kora Temple on Sabattus Street, the largest home of a fraternal organization in the state. Architect George M. Coombs designed this Moorish-style structure.

City leaders decided to build a cathedral to which the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland could relocate. Construction of the Church of Saints Peter and Paul began in 1905 and ended in 1938, funded mostly through thousands of small donations from Lewiston residents. It is the largest Roman Catholic Church in Maine, and Lewiston's most prominent landmark. While the Diocese of Portland did not relocate to Lewiston, the church nevertheless became a basilica in 2004. It is one of the few American basilicas outside of a major metropolitan area.

Lewiston-Auburn shoe strike
In 1937, one of the largest labor disputes in Maine history occurred in Lewiston and Auburn. The Lewiston-Auburn Shoe Strike lasted from March to June and at its peak involved 4,000 to 5,000 workers on strike. After workers attempted to march across the Androscoggin River from Lewiston to Auburn, Governor Lewis Barrows sent in the Maine Army National Guard. Some labor leaders, among them CIO Secretary Powers Hapgood, were imprisoned for months after a Maine Supreme Judicial Court judge issued an injunction seeking to end the strike.

Textile investment

After World War I, profits from the textile industry in New England mill towns such as Lewiston; Biddeford; Manchester, New Hampshire; Waterbury, Connecticut; and Fall River, Haverhill, Lawrence and Lowell, Massachusetts began to decline. Businesses began moving to the South due to lower costs of power from more modern technologies (Lewiston's water wheel technology gave way to hydroelectricity, cheaper transportation—as most cotton and materials came from the South—and cheaper labor).

Starting in the late 1950s, many of Lewiston's textile mills began closing. This gradually led to a run-down and abandoned downtown area. Chain stores located downtown—Woolworth's, W. T. Grant, S. S. Kresge, JC Penney and Sears Roebuck—shut their doors or moved to malls on the outskirts of Lewiston or Auburn. The city's flagship department store, the four-story B. Peck & Co., closed in 1982 after more than a century in business. As businesses and jobs began to leave the city, people followed. The population stopped increasing at its previous rate and began to slowly decline after 1970, then at a greater rate in the 1990s.

Economic diversification and renaissance
After a difficult economic period in the 1980s that saw high unemployment and downtown stagnation, several key events have led to economic and cultural growth, including the transformation of the historic Bates Mill Complex. Because the city took over the complex in 1992 after back taxes went unpaid, years of taxpayer frustration in the city's need to maintain the 1.1 e6sqft behemoth led to two referendums (one non-binding vote, the other binding). Voters soundly supported the need to pursue redevelopment by maintaining the property and selling it to private developers. In 2001, the city sold three mill buildings to local developers. In 2003, Platz Associates sold the Bates Mill Complex, with the exception of Mill 5 and a small support building. For the next four years, a number of business enterprises expanded after Platz redeveloped the mill building. The Bates Mill complex was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in December 2010.

In May 2004, the city officials announced a plan for urban renewal near the downtown area. The plan was to demolish several blocks of 19th-century millworker housing, lay new streets with updated infrastructure, construct more owner-occupied, lower-density housing, and build a boulevard through one neighborhood using federal Community Development Block Grant funds provided over a period of ten years. Some residents of the affected neighborhoods felt that the plan was initially announced with little input from them. They formed a neighborhood group called "The Visible Community", which has since been actively involved in the planning process, and resulted in cooperation between neighbors and city officials to redesign Kennedy Park, including input on the location of new basketball courts, and feedback regarding creation of the largest all-concrete skate park in Maine.

Downtown is home to a new headquarters for Oxford Networks, along with a $20-million upgrade in local fiber-optics, a new auto parts store, a campus of the for-profit Kaplan University, the headquarters for Northeast Bank, a parking garage, and the newly renovated Maine Supply Co. building, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. That facility is now called the Business Service Center at Key Bank Plaza, and is home to the local Chamber of Commerce, the Lewiston-Auburn Economic Growth Council, and an arrangement with a number of business service providers.

The area's renaissance has gained local, regional, and national recognition. In 2002 and again in 2006, the L-A area led the state in economic development activity, according to the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development's list of business investments and expansions. In a 2006 KPMG International study measuring the cost of locating and maintaining a business, Lewiston ranked first among the New England communities analyzed, and finished 24th out of 49 U.S. communities analyzed.

Lewiston earned a 2007 All-America City Award designation by the National Civic League. The national competition "recognizes communities whose residents work together to identify and tackle community-wide challenges and achieve measurable, uncommon results." 10 cities are selected as All-America Cities each year.

Somali and Bantu migration
In 1999, the United States government began preparations to resettle an estimated 12,000 refugees from Somalia to select cities throughout the United States. Most of the early arrivals in the United States settled in Clarkston, Georgia, a city adjacent to Atlanta. However, they were mostly assigned to low-rent, poverty-stricken inner-city areas, so many began to look to resettle elsewhere in the U.S. Word soon spread that Lewiston had a low crime rate and cheap housing. In 1999, ethnic Somalis subsequently began a secondary migration from other states to the former mill town, and after 2005, many Somali Bantus, a separate ethnicity, followed suit.

In October 2002, then-Mayor Laurier T. Raymond wrote an open letter addressed to leaders of the Somali community, predicting a negative impact on the city's social services and requesting that they discourage further relocation to Lewiston. The letter angered many and prompted some community leaders and residents to speak out against the mayor, drawing national attention. Demonstrations were held in Lewiston, both by those who supported the immigrants' presence and those who opposed it.

In January 2003, about 32 members of a white nationalist group from Illinois demonstrated in Lewiston to denounce Somali immigrants. This prompted a simultaneous counter-demonstration on the campus of Bates College to demonstrate support of the Somali community. The rally repudiating the white nationalists attracted 4,000 attendees, including governor John Baldacci, Senators Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins and other officials. Mayor Raymond was reportedly out of town on vacation on the day of the protests.

In August 2010, the Lewiston Sun Journal reported that Somali entrepreneurs had helped reinvigorate downtown Lewiston by opening shops in previously closed storefronts. Amicable relations were also reported by the local Franco-American merchants and the Somali storekeepers.

Somali farmers have had a positive impact on Lewiston agriculture life. Farming was known to be "low caste" to Somalis, before they were forced to labor during slavery. Since migrating to Maine farming has become a part of life to some Somalis.

Somali-American players contributed to the Lewiston High School boys soccer team's state championship wins in 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2023 under coach Mike McGraw.

Spree shooting
On October 25, 2023, a spree shooting occurred at two locations in Lewiston. Eighteen people were killed, and 13 others were injured. The first mass shooting occurred at a bowling alley during a youth league event, while the second occurred minutes later at a restaurant. After a two-day manhunt, the shooter, 40-year-old Robert R. Card, was found dead on October 27 from an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound in a wooded area near Lisbon. It was the deadliest mass shooting in the history of Maine.

National Register of Historic Places listings

 * Androscoggin Mill Block
 * Atkinson Building
 * Bergin Block
 * Bradford House
 * Captain Holland House
 * College Block-Lisbon Block
 * Continental Mill Housing
 * Cowan Mill
 * Dominican Block
 * Dr. Louis J. Martel House
 * Dr. Milton Wedgewood House
 * First Callahan Building
 * First McGillicuddy Block
 * First National Bank
 * Grand Trunk Railroad Station
 * Hathorn Hall, Bates College
 * Healey Asylum
 * Holland-Drew House
 * James C. Lord House
 * John D. Clifford House
 * Jordan School
 * Kora Temple
 * Lewiston City Hall
 * Lewiston Public Library
 * Lewiston Trust and Safe Deposit Company
 * Lord Block
 * Lower Lisbon Street Historic District
 * Lyceum Hall
 * Maine Supply Company Building
 * Manufacturer's National Bank
 * Marcotte Nursing Home
 * Oak Street School
 * Odd Fellows Block
 * Osgood Building
 * Pilsbury Block
 * Philip M. and Deborah N. Isaacson House
 * Saint Mary's General Hospital
 * Savings Bank Block
 * Second Callahan Block
 * Sen. William P. Frye House
 * St. Joseph's Catholic Church
 * Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul
 * Trinity Episcopal Church
 * US Post Office-Lewiston Maine
 * Union Block

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 35.54 sqmi, of which 34.15 sqmi is land and 1.39 sqmi is water. Lewiston is drained by the Androscoggin River, which forms its western border. The city is bordered by Auburn beyond the river, as well as the towns of Greene, Sabattus, and Lisbon. It is between Portland, the state's largest city and cultural center, and the state capital of Augusta.

Downtown
Downtown Lewiston runs from Oxford Street up to Jefferson Street, and from Adams Avenue to Main Street. This is the city's most densely settled area, home to about half the population. It contains mostly housing, although on Lisbon Street and Main Street, it is entirely businesses. This neighborhood was once the commercial hub of the whole county, but with the city's economic decline, many downtown stores closed and the former mill housing became run-down, resulting in fallen land values. But like many post-industrial centers, there has followed a period of renovation and revitalization that continues today.

This neighborhood includes:
 * Lisbon Street Business District
 * Country Kitchen Bread Factory
 * Tree Street Youth Center
 * Lewiston City Hall
 * Lewiston Public Library
 * Bates Mill Complex
 * The Root Cellar
 * Kennedy Park
 * The Public Theatre
 * S.S. Peter and Paul Basilica
 * Agora Grand Event Center, formerly St. Patrick's Church
 * St. Joseph's Church
 * Central Maine Medical Center
 * Railroad Park
 * Androscoggin Bank Colisée
 * Webb's Market
 * Farmers Market

Webster Street neighborhood
Consisting mostly of suburban mid-income housing, this neighborhood runs between Lisbon and Webster Streets, East Avenue, and Alfred Plourde Parkway. Schools that serve this neighborhood are Farwell Elementary, Martel Elementary, Lewiston Middle School, and Lewiston High School.

Pond Road neighborhood
This neighborhood is bounded by the triangle formed by Pond Road, Randall Road, and Sabattus Street (Route 126). This neighborhood is mostly mid-income suburban residential. McMahon Elementary, Lewiston Middle School, and Lewiston High School serve the area.

Climate
Lewiston has a humid continental climate, with very significant temperature variation throughout the year. Summers are usually short, warm, and humid, while winters tend to be very cold, long, and snowy. Lewiston averages 74 in of snow annually, although this number varies greatly from winter to winter. Snow tends to be the dominant form of precipitation between late November and late March, although freezing rain, sleet, and rain can also occur in the winter when large low pressure systems track directly over or west of the city. Summer in Lewiston typically consists of pleasant temperatures, although high humidity can make the temperature feel more uncomfortable at times. Severe summertime storms, such as tornadoes and tropical cyclones are rare, but not unheard of.

2020 census
As of the 2020 census, there were 37,121 people residing in the city. The racial makeup of the city including Hispanics in the racial categories was 77.9% White, 13.9% Black or African American, 1.2% Asian, 0.4% Native American, and 1.0% some other race. 5.5% were of two or more races.

2010 census
As of the 2010 census, there were 36,592 people, 15,267 households, and 8,622 families residing in the city. The population density was 1071.5 PD/sqmi. There were 16,731 housing units at an average density of 489.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 86.6% White, 8.7% Black, 0.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% Asian, 2.0% Hispanic or Latino (of any race), 0.6% from some other race, and 2.6% from two or more races.

In 2010, there were 15,267 households, of which 27.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.5% were married couples living together, 13.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 43.5% were non-families. Of all households, 34.4% were made up of individuals, and 12.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.90.

The median age in the city was 37.4 years. 22.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 12.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.1% were from 25 to 44; 25.3% were from 45 to 64; and 15.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.1% male and 51.9% female.

2000 census
As of the 2000 census, there were 35,690 people, 15,290 households, and 8,658 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,047.0 PD/sqmi. There were 16,470 housing units at an average density of 483.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 95.7% White, 1.1% Black or African American, 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% Asian, 1.3% Hispanic or Latino (of any race), 0.4% from some other race, and 1.7% from two or more races.

People of French-American descent were by far the most represented ethnic group in Lewiston, with 29.4% being of French-Canadian descent and 18.3% French (the two were listed as separate categories in the census although the vast majority were of French-Canadian descent). Following French were Irish at 10.2% and English at 9.9%.

There were 15,290 households, out of which 25.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.9% were married couples living together, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.4% were non-families. Of all households, 35.9% were made up of individuals, and 13.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.17 and the average family size was 2.81.

The median income for a household in the city was $36,743, and the median income for a family was $46,289. Males had a median income of $38,881 versus $30,465 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,014. About 16% of families and 21.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 35.8% of those under age 18 and 17.7% of those age 65 or over.

Native language
Survey Year 2000 Source:

Large businesses

 * Central Maine Medical Center: Founded by Edward H. Hill in the mid-1860s CMMC (Central Maine Medical Center) is downtown at High Street. The campus includes several large parking facilities, a LifeFlight of Maine helipad. In recent years the hospital has created the Central Maine Heart and Vascular Institute, and the Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing. The hospital has approximately 250 beds, and approximately 300 physicians. It is a Level II trauma center. Central Maine Medical Center is the flagship hospital of Central Maine Medical Family. The organization runs two other hospitals, one in Bridgton and another in Rumford. It also operates CMMC College of Nursing and Health Professions; and many affiliated long-term care facilities, clinics and practices throughout central and western Maine. The current president of the hospital chain is Peter E. Chalke. The Central Maine Medical Family is a block away from the hospital on Bates Street in the Lowell Square Building, a refurbished textile factory. CMMC recently underwent major renovations to their emergency department.Sun-Journal office, Lewiston, Maine.jpg
 * Country Kitchen Bakery: Country Kitchen is downtown between Lisbon and Park streets. Owned by Georgia-based Flowers Foods, Country Kitchen currently services all of the United States. It operates a second factory a few hundred feet away between Canal and Lincoln streets.
 * Walmart Distribution Center: Walmart currently operates a 485000 sqft warehousing facility in Lewiston. It is the state's largest facility, and is one mile (1.6 km) from exit 80 on I-95 on Alfred A. Plourde Parkway. This facility currently services all New England Walmarts.
 * Sun Journal: The Sun Journal is a daily newspaper that is headquartered on Park Street. It operates several different offices throughout Central and Western Maine. In Androscoggin County it prints the City Edition, news about the Lewiston-Auburn area. They also print the Oxford County, Franklin County, and State Editions. It is the third largest newspaper in the state.
 * Modula - System Logistics: An engineering and manufacturing company which designs and builds automated storage equipment used in distribution centers around the country.
 * Sazerac Company, the owner of Boston Brands of Maine, purchased the White Rock bottling plant in Lewiston on Saratoga Street where they run a 24/7 production of the popular Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey.

Lisbon Street

 * Downtown Lisbon Street: Lisbon Street is the commercial and government center of Lewiston. In its downtown section, it features many law offices, the city library, the district court, Senator Susan Collins' office, several stores created by and for the Somali community, and a variety of restaurants and shops. Downtown Lisbon Street is also home to the Emerge Film Festival as well as Art Walks on the last Friday of each month during summer.
 * Upper Lisbon Street: Past downtown features several malls, including the Lewiston Promenade Mall and the Lewiston Mall. There are also many chain restaurants, some car dealerships, and many other private businesses.

Main Street
U.S. Route 202 and Maine State Routes 11 and 100 are co-signed along Main Street.

 * Downtown Main Street: Main Street starts near the downtown area at the Governor James B. Longley Memorial Bridge, which crosses from Auburn. Crossing into Lewiston, one passes Veterans Memorial Park, a large park on the waterfront that commemorates all veterans. Next is a small hydro-plant that was used to power the textile mills on Canal Street. After the canal bridge there is the downtown section of Main Street. It features the L.L. Bean Call Center in the Peck Building, a TD Bank branch, the former St. Joseph's Church, Central Maine Medical Center, in addition to many other businesses.
 * Upper Main Street: Past downtown there are several businesses and several chain stores and restaurants, but it is mostly residential. The street is lined with large 19th-century Victorian mansions, some of which remain houses and some which have been converted into doctors' offices.

Top employers
According to Lewiston's 2022 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, the top employers in the city are:

Library

 * The Lewiston Public Library has played a major role in the emerging culture of Lewiston. It was renovated and expanded in 1996. The library is downtown on the corner of Lisbon Street and Pine Street and has over 150,000 items in its collection. Recently, it opened the Marsden Hartley Cultural Center, holding various community events such as concerts, lectures, and film festivals.

Museums

 * Museum L-A: Museum L-A is a museum in a former textile factory building. It honors the people who worked and lived in this community. At Museum L-A visitors can walk through a simulated production line, then view exhibits covering the textile, shoe, and brick industries that once thrived in Lewiston and Auburn. The museum is in Bates Mill Number 4 in the Bates Mill Complex. In June 2009 the museum acquired Camden Mill and plans on moving to those facilities once it is refurbished.
 * The Bates College Museum of Art features a wide variety of art. The art students at this school create much of this city's art life.
 * The Atrium Gallery: at the University of Southern Maine campus in Lewiston. This Museum features a wide variety of art.

The Franco Center
The Franco Center opened in 2000 in what was formerly St. Mary's Parish. The performing arts center programs events for both Franco-American related performances as well as other cultural displays, such as the center's Piano and Celtic Series. The diverse programming of the venue hosts both local and international performers. The center also hosts events and serves as a museum of the city's Franco-American past with historical artifacts and documentation on display as well as a small library.

The Public Theatre
Lewiston also features The Public Theatre, which puts on different plays throughout the year with about six to eight productions per season. It is downtown on Maple St. It was on Park street. It features all types of plays, with actors from all over the world. Its offices are in Auburn at the Great Falls Plaza.

Emerge Film Festival
The Emerge Film Festival was first held in June 2014 in downtown Lewiston and Auburn. In 2019 the festival was held at Rinck Advertising and the Franco Center.

The Great Falls Balloon Festival
The Great Falls Balloon Festival is an event that is held one weekend in August every year. The Festival includes launching of balloons, games, and carnival rides. The launch sites take place at several open parks on the Lewiston-Auburn Androscoggin Riverfront. People come from all around the country and Canada to see the festivities.

Festival Franco
Formerly known as Festival de Joie, Festival FrancoFun is held annually at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée and is a celebration of the city's Franco-American heritage. The festival features performances from French-Canadian musicians as well as native French-Canadian food.

Liberty Festival
Held on July 4 of each year, the festival is the name given to the fireworks event over the Great Falls of the Androscoggin River in between the twin cities. The fireworks are launched in West Pitch Park in Auburn. Major viewpoints of the fireworks are Veterans Park, railroad Park and Great Falls Plaza in Auburn.

Patrick Dempsey Challenge
Lewiston hosts the annual Dempsey Challenge, which began in 2009. The event, hosted by Lewiston-native Patrick Dempsey, in a run/walk and cycling fundraiser for cancer research. In its opening year the event raised over one million dollars. The event has attracted famous athletes from all around including participants in the Tour de France. All the proceeds go to the Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope at the Central Maine Medical Center.

The Androscoggin Bank Colisée
The center of sports in Lewiston is the Androscoggin Bank Colisée (formerly known as the Central Maine Civic Center). The Lewiston Maineiacs, the only American team to have played in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, played their first season in 2003–2004 and dissolved the team after the 2010–2011 season. The Colisée is also the home to the state Class A and Class B high school hockey championships each year. The city as a whole is known for its strong passion for the game of hockey, likely related to its French American heritage. Two Lewiston schools, Lewiston High School and St. Dominic Regional High School (now in Auburn), combine for over half of the state class A high school hockey championships in the state's history. During the 2013–2014 American Hockey League season, the Portland Pirates played their first 12 home games at the Colisée while the Cumberland County Civic Center is being renovated.

The junior Maine Nordiques of the North American Hockey League have played their home games at the Colisée since 2019.

Ali vs. Liston rematch
In May 1965, Lewiston became the venue for a heavyweight title rematch between Muhammad Ali and Sonny Liston; Ali had defeated Liston in a controversial fight in Miami Beach, Florida, in February 1964, and the World Boxing Council was demanding an immediate rematch, which was against World Boxing Association rules (the WBA eventually stripped Ali of his title). The rematch was originally planned to be held in Boston, but was halted by Massachusetts boxing authorities due to licensing issues. Promoters were eventually able to frame a lucrative deal moving the fight to the Colisée in Lewiston. As the venue held less than 3,700 spectators, only 2,434 fans were present, setting an all-time record for the lowest attendance for a heavyweight championship match. The fight was the scene of the famous photograph of Ali standing over Liston taunting him with his glove. Ali won by first-round knockout.

Lewiston Twins (1891–1930)
Lewiston was home to minor league baseball. Beginning in 1891, Lewiston was home to the Lewiston Twins and other teams, who played in various seasons through 1930. Lewiston teams played as members of the New England League (1891–1896, 1901), Maine State League (1907), Atlantic Association (1908) and New England League (1914–1915, 1919, 1926–1930). Baseball Hall of Fame member Jesse Burkett managed the Lewiston Twins in 1928 and 1929. Between 1901 and 1919, Lewiston teams played home games at A.A.A. Park. Beginning in 1926, the Lewiston Twins played home games at Lewiston Athletic Park.

Maine Nordiques (1973–1977)
The Maine Nordiques were a professional hockey team that operated in the former North American Hockey League from 1973 to 1977. They were based at the Central Maine Youth Center in Lewiston. The Nordiques served as a farm club for the Quebec Nordiques of the World Hockey Association.

Lewiston Maineiacs
The Lewiston Maineiacs were a major junior hockey team that played in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). The Maineiacs moved to Lewiston in 2003 from Sherbrooke, Quebec, and were the only team in the QMJHL in the United States. They played their home games at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée. In 2006–2007, the Maineiacs won the Jean Rougeau Trophy for having the best record in the QMJHL, won the President's Cup as QMJHL playoff champion, and represented the league at the 2007 Memorial Cup. Several Maineiacs alumni have played in the National Hockey League, including Jaroslav Halák, Jonathan Bernier, David Perron and Alexandre Picard. The Maineiacs were disbanded in 2011.

Lewiston/Auburn Nordiques
The Lewiston/Auburn Nordiques were a Tier III junior ice hockey team that played in the North American 3 Hockey League. During the 2018–2019 season the team recorded a 50–5 record, winning the NA3HL regular season championship and the Coastal Division championship. The team also made it to the Fraser Cup finals this season, losing a close game to the Texas Brahmas 2–1. The team ceased operations after the 2019–2020 season.

Maine Nordiques (2019–present)
The Maine Nordiques are a Tier II junior ice hockey team in the North American Hockey League's East Division. They started play during the 2019–2020 season at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée. The team is coached by Nolan Howe, grandson of Gordie Howe and son of Mark Howe.

Education
Lewiston's public education system consists of five elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school with a regional technical center that serves multiple school districts. The district is home to relatively new buildings constructed for Farwell Elementary School and Pettingill School, now replaced with the 600 student capacity Geiger Elementary School. In 2019, Martel and Longley combined into Robert V. Connors Elementary School and houses around 650 students pre-k to 6.

Colleges and universities

 * Maine College of Health Professions
 * Bates College
 * University of Southern Maine – Lewiston/Auburn Campus
 * Central Maine Community College – Auburn

Public schools
Lewiston Public Schools operates public schools.
 * Lewiston High School (9–12) 1,446 students
 * Lewiston Regional Technical Center (9–12)
 * Lewiston Middle School (7–8)
 * Farwell Elementary School (K–6)
 * Raymond A Geiger Elementary School (K–6)
 * Robert V. Connors Elementary School (K–6)
 * Montello School (K–6)
 * Thomas J McMahon Elementary School (K–6)

Private schools

 * The Discovery School (PK-12)
 * Saint-Dominic Academy
 * Vineyard Christian School (PK-12)

Charter Schools

 * Acadia Academy (PK-6)

Newspapers

 * The Sun Journal prints a daily newspaper in four different editions statewide. The Sun Journal was the recipient of the 2008 New England Daily Newspaper of the Year and the 2009 Maine Press Association Newspaper of the Year.
 * Lewiston Evening Journal ran from 1866 to 1989.
 * The Twin City Times is a free weekly newspaper printed in Auburn. It is publicly available in Lewiston as well. It features local news and short articles.

Radio
Five radio stations are licensed to serve the city of Lewiston. These stations are:
 * WARX/93.9, airing a non-commercial religious format. It is the former sister station of WCOU, now WIGY.
 * WIGY/1240, airing an adult contemporary format simulcasting WEZR.
 * WFNK 107.5, which is branded as 107.5 Frank FM and airs a classic hits format that is targeted primarily at Portland area listeners.
 * WLAM 1470, which airs a standards format branded as The Memories Station.
 * WRBC 91.5, which is the college radio station of Bates College.

Television
Lewiston is part of the Portland television market, and receives all major channels in that market. WGME-TV and WCSH both have local bureaus in the city, and are across the street from each other on Main Street.

Public transportation
The city of Lewiston uses the Citylink or Purple Bus system. Passengers use Citylink in collaboration with Auburn and Lisbon.

The downtown shuttle runs through the downtown of both Lewiston and Auburn. It maintains only one line that goes into Lisbon. The Citylink services on average approximately 235,000 people a year.

Roadways and major routes

 * Interstate 95 / Maine Turnpike: Formerly Interstate 495, runs through Lewiston. Exit 80 serves the city via Alfred Plourde Parkway in the Industrial Park. I-95 provides a connection to Portland being 40 minutes away, Bangor about 90 minutes away, and Boston, about two hours away from the Lewiston Exit.
 * U.S. Route 202 / Maine State Routes 11 and 100: These three routes run through Lewiston along Main Street. It runs straight through the center of downtown to the business parks outside town, and the northern Lewiston suburbs. Connects Lewiston to Auburn and Greene. Provides fast transportation to Augusta and Kennebec Valley.
 * Maine State Route 196: Starts in Lewiston at U.S. Route 202, Main Street. In Lewiston it is Canal Street, which turns into Lisbon Street. This route connects Lewiston to Lisbon, and provides easy access to the towns of Topsham and Brunswick. This route ends on U.S. Route 1 in the City of Brunswick. It connects to Interstate 295 in Topsham.
 * Maine State Route 126: Starts in Lewiston at US Route 202, Main Street. In Lewiston it is Sabattus Street and connects Lewiston to the town of Sabattus.

Bridges

 * Vietnam Veterans Memorial Bridge: Built in 1973 to commemorate the veterans of the Vietnam War. It connects Lewiston to Auburn. It provides fast transportation from Russell Street, and Main Street to Auburn's Mt. Auburn Ave, and shopping centers on Center Street and the Mall Area.
 * Governor James B. Longley Memorial Bridge: Connects Main Street in downtown Lewiston to Court Street in Downtown Auburn. Named after Lewiston resident and Governor of Maine James B. Longley.
 * Bernard Lown Peace Bridge: Connects Little Canada and New Auburn. Starts in Lewiston as Cedar Street and starts in Auburn as Broad Street. Commemorates former Lewiston resident and Nobel Peace Prize recipient Bernard Lown.

Airports and bus station

 * Auburn/Lewiston Municipal Airport: The official airport of the two cities. It currently provides general aviation facilities. Although the city is serviced by an airport, most people use the Portland International Jetport for commercial flights in and out of the state.
 * Oak Street Bus Station: Greyhound Lines operates a bus line out of Lewiston. The bus lines go as far as Bangor and Boston. From those two destinations more travel opportunities are available.
 * Concord Coach Lines – Great Falls Plaza/Bates College: Provides bus direct transportation to Logan International Airport and South Station in Boston, with multiple trips daily.

Hydroelectric Energy Generation

 * In outer Lewiston at the end of Switzerland Road there is the Gulf Island hydroelectric dam operated by Brookfield White Pine Hydro and Central Maine Power Company. It generates electricity via the waterflow of the Androscoggin River. Its nameplate capacity is 19.2MW
 * Further down the river is the Deer Rips hydroelectric dam, also operated by Brookfield White Pine Hydro and Central Maine Power Company. Its nameplate capacity is 10.1MW
 * Further down the river is the Charles E. Monty hydroelectric dam, also operated by Brookfield White Pine Hydro and Central Maine Power Company. Its nameplate capacity is 28.4MW

In popular culture

 * The Farmers' Almanac is printed in Lewiston.
 * Lewiston is the setting for the fictitious Kingdom Hospital, featured in the thirteen-episode miniseries developed by horror writer Stephen King and based on a Danish mini-series, The Kingdom. In 1999 when King was struck by a car while walking in Lovell, he was flown by helicopter and treated at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston. In the mini-series, the hospital is built on the site of a textile mill which made military uniforms during the Civil War, which the Bates Mill and other Lewiston textile factories actually did. King attended elementary school in the nearby town of Durham and high school in the neighboring town of Lisbon Falls.
 * Twins Francis Edgar Stanley and Freelan O. Stanley invented the photographic dry plate process, that they used in their studio on Lisbon Street in the late 19th century. They later sold the patent to a company that became Eastman Kodak. They eventually went on to invent the Stanley Steamer.

title: Lewiston, Maine


text:
Lisbon, Maine

Lisbon is a town in Androscoggin County, Maine, United States. The population was 9,711 at the 2020 census. It is included in both the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine metropolitan statistical area and the Lewiston–Auburn, Maine Metropolitan New England city and town area. The town of Lisbon includes the villages of Lisbon and Lisbon Falls.

History
The community was originally part of Bowdoin, a township within the Kennebec Purchase. But because travel to attend town meetings was difficult, on June 22, 1799, the General Court of Massachusetts divided Bowdoin in two to create Thompsonborough. Residents, however, soon grew dissatisfied with the long name. Consequently, it would be renamed in 1802 as Lisbon, after Lisbon in Portugal. In 1808, Lisbon annexed the remainder of Little River Plantation (part of the Pejepscot Purchase) as Lisbon Falls. In 1840, part of Lisbon was set off as Webster.

With fertile and easily cultivated soil, farming was an early industry. Sawmills and gristmills were built using water power from the streams. Larger brick mills followed to manufacture textiles. In 1864, the Worumbo Mill was established to produce woolens, and would remain a principal employer until it burned in 1987.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 23.82 sqmi, of which 22.82 sqmi is land and 1.00 sqmi is water. Lisbon is drained by the Sabattus River, Little River and Androscoggin River.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 9,009 people, 3,696 households, and 2,477 families living in the town. The population density was 394.8 PD/sqmi. There were 3,948 housing units at an average density of 173.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 96.2% White; 0.6% African American; 0.5% Native American; 0.5% Asian; 0.3% from other races; and 1.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.0% of the population.

There were 3,696 households, of which 32.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them; 49.4% were married couples living together; 11.7% had a female householder with no husband present,; 5.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 33.0% were non-families. 26.0% of all households were made up of individuals; and 8.8% 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.

The median age in the town was 39.4 years. 23.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.7% were from 25 to 44; 28.8% were from 45 to 64; and 12.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 49.0% male and 51.0% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 9,077 people, 3,608 households, and 2,485 families living in the town. The population density was 384.5 PD/sqmi. There were 3,789 housing units at an average density of 160.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 97.41% White; 0.65% African American; 0.22% Native American; 0.39% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 0.31% from other races; and 0.93% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.74% of the population.

There were 3,608 households, out of which 34.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.3% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.1% were non-families. 24.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.1% 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 2.97.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 26.5% under the age of 18; 8.3% from 18 to 24; 31.7% from 25 to 44; 21.9% from 45 to 64; and 11.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.2 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $38,115, and the median income for a family was $42,614. Males had a median income of $32,107 versus $21,099 for females. The per capita income for the town was $17,263. About 6.7% of families and 8.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.6% of those under age 18 and 8.3% of those age 65 or over.

Voter registration

Education
The Lisbon School Department includes three schools: Lisbon Community School, Philip W. Sugg Middle School, and Lisbon High School.

Rick Green is the Superintendent of Schools.

Notable people

 * Dale J. Crafts, state legislator
 * William Dunn, sailor
 * Benjamin Franklin Dunning, builder
 * Howard Gerrish, author and teacher
 * John Gould, columnist
 * Louis A. Jack, state legislator and President of the Maine Board of Trade
 * Stephen King, writer
 * Hannah Hanson Kinney, alleged murderer
 * Garrett Mason, state legislator
 * Gina Mason, state legislator
 * Greg Moore, hockey forward
 * James Tierney, politician

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

title: Lisbon, Maine


text:
Lisbon Falls, Maine

Lisbon Falls is a census-designated place (CDP) in the town of Lisbon, located in Androscoggin County, Maine, United States. The population of Lisbon Falls was 4,100 at the 2010 census. It is included in both the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine metropolitan statistical area and the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine, Metropolitan New England city and town area.

History
Abenaki Indians called the falls Anmecangin, meaning "much fish". The area was once part of Little River Plantation, a portion of which was incorporated in 1799 as Thompsonborough, then renamed in 1802 after Lisbon, Portugal. In 1806, Lisbon annexed the remainder of Little River Plantation. With water power from the Androscoggin River, Lisbon Falls became a small mill town. Before it burned down in 1987, the Worumbo Mill was the main mill in Lisbon Falls. It had been incorporated in 1864, and was world-famous for its woolens. Especially well known were its vicuña wool products, which became famous when President Eisenhower's Chief of Staff, Sherman Adams, received a vicuna sport coat as a gift from a wealthy industrialist and had to resign due to the resulting scandal. The town's primary employment was at a gypsum mill, which closed in 2009. Another large employer is Bath Iron Works, in nearby Bath, Maine.

The town is famous for its Moxie Days, a celebration of the soft drink Moxie, which is sold at Frank Anicetti's corner store. The store's official name is the Kennebec Fruit Company, but it is commonly referred to as The Moxie Store and is recognizable by its bright yellow paint job. Moxie Days in Lisbon Falls is attended by thousands from around the world each summer.

Geography
Lisbon Falls is located at 44.00222°N, -70.06°W (44.002177, -70.060102).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 10.0 km2, of which 9.5 km2 is land and 0.5 km2, or 4.87%, is water. Lisbon Falls is drained by the Androscoggin River and the Little 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, Lisbon Falls has a humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfb" on climate maps.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 4,420 people, 1,707 households, and 1,206 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 1,162.4 PD/sqmi. There were 1,798 housing units at an average density of 472.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 96.99% White, 0.63% African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.41% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.45% from other races, and 1.22% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.06% of the population.

There were 1,707 households, out of which 36.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.1% were married couples living together, 12.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.3% were non-families. 22.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 27.4% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 32.6% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 10.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.3 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $39,224, and the median income for a family was $42,476. Males had a median income of $31,735 versus $20,688 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $16,838. About 8.5% of families and 10.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.6% of those under age 18 and 4.6% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

 * John Gould, famous Maine humorist and author. He was the author of "Farmer Takes a Wife," "The Fastest Hound Dog in the State of Maine," and "Tales From Rhapsody Home, What They Don't Tell You About Senior Living." In his book On Writing, Stephen King recounts his experience working for John Gould at the Lisbon Enterprise, a weekly newspaper that Gould published.
 * Stephen King, horror fiction writer, attended Lisbon Falls High School. The fictional town of Castle Rock, which he used in several stories, is thought to be based on Lisbon Falls. King utilized the town's actual name, description, and citizens in his 2011 novel, 11/22/63.

Site of interest

 * Lisbon Historical Society Museum

title: Lisbon Falls, Maine


text:
Livermore, Maine

Livermore is a town in Androscoggin County, Maine, United States, formerly in Oxford County, Maine. The population was 2,127 at the 2020 United States Census. It is included in both the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine Metropolitan New England City and Town Area. High schools students from Livermore attend Spruce Mountain High School in neighboring Livermore Falls. Livermore is known for The Norlands, the Washburn family home.

History
Livermore was incorporated in 1795, the northwestern-most town of Androscoggin County. In 1880, the population was 1,262. In 2010, the population was 2,095. Livermore had originally been a grant from the state of Massachusetts to certain people for services in an expedition, which was against Port Royal. The town was named for Deacon Elijah Livermore, a pioneer settler born in Waltham, Massachusetts. The first two settlers of Livermore are known to be Deacon Ellijah Livermore and Major Thomas Fish. Major Thomas Fish had originally been from Worcester County, Oxford, Massachusetts. Major Thomas Fish went to war in 1775, and he was a Major in the Continental Army. Major Thomas Fish had died on December 20, 1781, in Livermore, Maine. Deacon Ellijah Livermore had arrived in 1779, building the first mill near Long Pond in 1782. In 1795 as Livermore familiarized, a county line was established based on the Androscoggin River. The Androscoggin River divides East Livermore and Leeds on the east and southeast. On the south of the river is Turner, on the west side is Canton and Hartford, and on the north side is Jay and Canton. From 1760 to 1805, Livermore had been in Cumberland and Lincoln Counties. In 1805, the town became part of Oxford County. By the act of East Livermore, Livermore was separated from Oxford County and became part of the Kennebec County. On March 1, 1844, the town of East Livermore had been incorporated in the Kennebec County, but by 1854, Livermore, along with Livermore Falls, had joined newly formed Androscoggin County. The county line had determined the east of the river as the Kennebec County, and the west part of the Oxford County. On March 31, 1854, the towns of Turner and Livermore officially set off from Oxford County to the Androscoggin County.

Early 19th Century in Livermore, Maine had mostly consisted of farmland which provided products such as dairy to numerous markets around the New England area. As the 19th Century progressed, Livermore had quickly advanced New England's lifestyle through their farmland and involvement to the mills. As the industrial revolution developed, this small town in Maine had progressed important roles such as the paper mills, logging, and lumber. Livermore is well known for its long and round ponds, which are located in the northern part of town.

The first church in Livermore was established in 1793. Today, the town of Livermore now has Universalist, Methodist, Baptist and Free Baptist churches. Livermore, Maine today has seventeen schoolhouses, which are worth about $4,000. In 1880, the noted citizens of Livermore, Maine were Jonathan G. Hunton, General David Learned, the governor of Maine Reuel Washburn.

The small town of Livermore, Maine is still recognized and well known for the Washburn- Norlands Living History Center on 290 Norlands Rd, also known as the Israel Washburn Homestead. The Washburn- Norlands foundation supports the Washburn family and descendants. This foundation had converted the Washburn home into a historical museum to provide the community with remarkable stories of the 19th and 20th century and with the intent to preserve the land and buildings. The Norlands Living History center's buildings such as the 1867 mansion, 1853 school house, 1828 meeting house, and 1883 library are all still in use today. The Washburn home still includes the families memories and documents such as historical clothing, photographs, furniture, books, family papers and artwork. The Norlands offers the community to experience life as it was in Maine in the 18th and 19th century. The Norlands is a family home of Israel Washburn, one of the many industrial and political rulers of the 19th Century. Opened in 1821, today the Norlands is a popular historical museum in which offers a variety of activities to experience the rural life of the Washburn family. The Norlands Living History Center buildings includes the famous Norlands mansion, a 19th-century schoolhouse, a library specifically for the Washburn family, a barn for farm animals, a meeting house and a farmers cottage. In April 2008, the farmers cottage and barn tragically burned down. In early 2011, the farmers cottage was rebuilt and reopened to the public. The barn has yet to be rebuilt as of July 2012.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 39.40 sqmi, of which 37.62 sqmi is land and 1.78 sqmi is water.

Political Boundary Changes Concerning the Land of Livermore 1630 – Massachusetts founded 1652 – Yorkshire County established 1668 – Yorkshire County renamed to York County 1760 – Cumberland County was founded from a portion of York County. 1772 – Land Grant of Livermore 1795 – Organization and incorporation of Livermore 1805 – Oxford County was established 1820 – Maine became a state

1854 – Androscoggin County was established

1854 – Town of East Livermore established

Bodies of Water
Livermore is home to five lakes and ponds, the largest of which is Long Pond.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 2,095 people, 889 households, and 620 families residing in the town. The population density was 55.7 PD/sqmi. There were 1,127 housing units at an average density of 30.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 98.5% White, 0.1% African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.1% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 0.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.0% of the population.

There were 889 households, of which 27.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.0% were married couples living together, 7.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 30.3% were non-families. 24.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.77.

The median age in the town was 44.4 years. 20.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.1% were from 25 to 44; 32.5% were from 45 to 64; and 16.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 50.7% male and 49.3% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,106 people, 842 households, and 602 families residing in the town. The population density was 55.9 PD/sqmi. There were 1,066 housing units at an average density of 28.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 99.00% White, 0.24% African American, 0.05% Native American, and 0.71% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.33% of the population.

There were 842 households, out of which 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.1% were married couples living together, 6.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.5% were non-families. 23.8% 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 2.93.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 23.9% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 30.0% from 25 to 44, 26.5% from 45 to 64, and 13.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 111.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.0 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $38,850, and the median income for a family was $44,904. Males had a median income of $32,898 versus $25,208 for females. The per capita income for the town was $17,706. About 2.0% of families and 5.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.3% of those under age 18 and 2.8% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Livermore is a member town of RSU #73, which also includes the towns of Livermore Falls and Jay. Spruce Mountain High School is a public high school in Jay, Maine which serves education for students of Jay, Livermore and Livermore Falls since 2011. Spruce Mountain High School is a result of the consolidation between the Jay School Department and RSU #36. The name "Spruce Mountain" comes from a local ski slope, located in Jay Maine. This popular ski slope in the small community is home to many students and residents of all three towns in the winter, which makes the name appropriate for the school district name. Spruce Mountain colors are Black, Green and White, and the mascot is the Phoenix.

Notable people

 * Elijah Hamlin, mayor of Bangor, Maine
 * Timothy O. Howe, US senator from Wisconsin
 * Deacon Elijah Livermore, one of the first settlers in the area
 * Dorilus Morrison, first mayor of Minneapolis, cousin of the Washburn family
 * Jonathan Smith, Resident of East Livermore till 1854
 * Cadwallader Colden Washburn (1818–1882), Civil War era general, 11th governor of Wisconsin, namesake of Washburn County
 * Charles Ames Washburn (1822–1889), diplomatic commissioner to Paraguay (1861–1863), minister to Paraguay (1863–1868), invented an early typewriter
 * Elihu B. Washburne (1816–1887), US congressman from Illinois (1853–1869), Minister to France during the Franco-Prussian War and the Paris Commune, 25th United States Secretary of State (1869)
 * Ganem W. Washburn (1823–1907), Wisconsin State Senator and judge, cousin of the Washburn family
 * Israel Washburn, Jr. (1813–1883), Maine state congressmen (1842); US congressmen, (1851–1861); 29th governor of Maine
 * John Washburn Jr (1621–1686)
 * William D. Washburn (1831–1912), state congressman (1861), US congressmen (1879–1885) and senator for Minnesota (1889–1895)
 * Ebenezer Whittemore, a blacksmith of East Livermore

title: Livermore, Maine


text:
Minot, Maine

Minot is a town in Androscoggin County, Maine, United States. The population was 2,766 at the 2020 census. The town includes the villages of West Minot and Minot Center. It is part of both the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine metropolitan statistical area and the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine metropolitan New England city and town area.

History
Present-day Minot was part of Bakerstown Plantation, granted in 1765 by the Massachusetts General Court to Captain Thomas Baker and his company of soldiers for their services to the state at the 1690 Battle of Quebec. It replaced a 1736 grant at what is now Salisbury, New Hampshire, ruled invalid in 1741 because of a prior claim from the descendants of John Mason. In 1795, Bakerstown Plantation was incorporated as Poland, named after Chief Poland, a noted local Indian sachem. On February 18, 1802, the northeastern part of Poland was set off as Minot, named after George Richards Minot (1758–1802), historian and judge of the General Court who had aided in the town's incorporation.

The first settler was Moses Emery from Newbury, Massachusetts, in 1772. At that time there were several Indians of the Anasagunticook tribe living in the immediate area. The surface of the town is uneven, in some parts hilly, but with good soil for agriculture, the principal early occupation. Mills were erected at various water power sites, and products included lumber, clapboards, shingles, boxes, shooks and barrel staves. There was also manufacturing in leather, particularly boots, shoes, saddles and harnesses. In 1842, land was set off to form Auburn, to which more land was ceded in 1873. Mechanic Falls, the industrial village astride the border with Poland, was set off in 1893. The population in 1859 was 1,734. Today, Minot is gradually transitioning into a bedroom community of the cities of Auburn and Lewiston.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 29.75 sqmi, of which 29.57 sqmi is land and 0.18 sqmi is water. Minot is drained by the Little Androscoggin River.

The town is crossed by state routes 11, 119 and 124. It is bordered by the towns of Oxford and Hebron to the northwest, Turner to the north, Auburn to the east, and Poland to the south, and Mechanic Falls to the southwest.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 2,607 people, 1,001 households, and 757 families living in the town. The population density was 88.2 PD/sqmi. There were 1,056 housing units at an average density of 35.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 97.8% White, 0.3% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.8% of the population.

There were 1,001 households, of which 34.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.9% were married couples living together, 6.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 24.4% were non-families. 16.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 2.90.

The median age in the town was 42.3 years. 23.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.4% were from 25 to 44; 32.9% were from 45 to 64; and 11.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 50.2% male and 49.8% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,248 people, 794 households, and 646 families living in the town. The population density was 75.5 PD/sqmi. There were 824 housing units at an average density of 27.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 98.27% White, 0.22% African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.31% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.18% from other races, and 0.85% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.36% of the population.

There were 794 households, out of which 41.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 69.6% were married couples living together, 7.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.6% were non-families. 12.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.82 and the average family size was 3.03.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 27.9% under the age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 34.1% from 25 to 44, 23.4% from 45 to 64, and 8.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.3 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $47,557, and the median income for a family was $49,926. Males had a median income of $34,459 versus $25,417 for females. The per capita income for the town was $18,668. About 3.7% of families and 6.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.2% of those under age 18 and 13.5% of those age 65 or over.

Site of interest

 * Minot Historical Society & Museum

Education
Minot is part of Regional School Unit #16. Kenneth Healey is the Acting Superintendent of Schools.

Schools in this district include Elm Street School, Minot Consolidated School, Poland Community School, Whittier Middle School and Poland Regional High School.

Notable people

 * William P. Bartlett, Wisconsin State Assemblyman
 * Emma Bedelia Dunham (1826–1910), poet
 * Ellen Hamlin, wife of Vice President of the United States Hannibal Hamlin
 * Samuel G. Hilborn, US congressman from California
 * William Ladd, first president of the American Peace Society
 * Crosby Stuart Noyes, owner and publisher of the Washington Evening Star
 * Francis Slattery, naval commander
 * Mesannie Wilkins, 63-year old farmer who traveled from Maine to California on horseback in 1954, Last of the Saddle Tramps

title: Minot, Maine


text:
Poland, Maine

Poland is a town in Androscoggin County, Maine, United States. The population was 5,906 at the 2020 census. Set among rolling hills and numerous lakes, the town is home to Range Ponds State Park, which includes hiking trails and a pristine freshwater beach. Poland is also a historic resort area. It is included in the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine metropolitan statistical area, which itself is part of the Greater Portland-Lewiston Combined Statistical Area.

History
Land was granted by the Massachusetts General Court in 1765 to officers and soldiers who served with Sir William Phips in the 1690 Battle of Quebec. It replaced a 1736 grant made to them called Bakerstown (now Salisbury, New Hampshire) which was ruled invalid in 1741 at the separation of New Hampshire from Massachusetts. The new plantation was also called Bakerstown (after Captain Thomas Baker), and included present-day Poland, Minot, Mechanic Falls and the greater part of Auburn.

Settled in 1767 by Nathaniel Bailey and Daniel Lane, Bakerstown Plantation would be incorporated as Poland on February 17, 1795. Poland is named after an "ancient melody" of the same name.

At the beginning, Poland was an agricultural town, with 600 acre of the best land farmed by the Shakers who settled at Poland Hill, north of the Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village in New Gloucester. Called the North Family of Shakers, the village was founded by members who moved from Gorham in 1819. The village lasted until 1887.

Industry was attracted to Poland's water power sites. In 1859, when the population was 2,660, it had four sawmills, a gristmill, a tannery and a carriage factory. The St. Lawrence and Atlantic Railroad passed through the northeastern corner of the town, spurring development and bringing tourists drawn to its scenic ponds and gentle hills. By 1893, when Mechanic Falls was set off as a separate town, Poland had evolved into a Gilded Age resort town.

In 1797, The Wentworth Ricker Inn in South Poland opened at the homestead Jabez Ricker, acquired from a 1794 land swap with the Alfred Shaker Village in Alfred. But when the railroad replaced stage travel, patronage declined and the inn closed. Then a grandson, Hiram Ricker, began proclaiming that the mineral spring on his family's property had cured his dyspepsia. People began arriving to sample the spring's curative waters, which flow 8 gallons a minute. Reopened in 1861, the inn was enlarged and renamed The Mansion House. But even that property could not handle the crowds of tourists, so in 1875 the family expanded the property, build an extravagant house that was dubbed "Ricker's folly" due to skepticism that such a large property would be successful.

On July 4, 1876, the Poland Spring House opened atop Ricker's Hill, an elevation of 800 feet (244 m) above sea level with magnificent views to the White Mountains. The hotel would be augmented over the years by architects John Calvin Stevens, Albert Winslow Cobb and Harry Wilkerson. It became a self-contained and exclusive spa, with guards at gatehouses instructed to turn away sightseers. With luxurious accommodations for 450 guests, the hotel attracted the rich and famous. Patrons included Gen. Benjamin Butler, Sen. James G. Blaine, Joan Crawford, Jimmy Durante, Jack Paar and Robert Goulet. But following World War II, the era of grand hotels waned. When the Rickers sold the Poland Spring House, its new owners allowed the sprawling facilities to deteriorate. Apollo Industries purchased the hotel in 1963 and converted it to the largest Women's Job Corps facility in the United States. The Job Corps dormitory was vacated in 1969, and was destroyed by a spectacular fire on July 3, 1975.

Today, the water is bottled and sold as Poland Spring water by BlueTriton Brands.

1978 P-3 Orion crash
Poland was the site of one of the last major accidents involving aircraft from Maine's Cold War air bases. A United States Navy patrol bomber from Naval Air Station Brunswick Patrol Squadron 8 (VP-8) disintegrated over Poland on September 22, 1978. An over-pressurized fuel tank caused the port wing of the Lockheed P-3 Orion to separate at the outboard engine. The detached wing sheared off part of the tail; and aerodynamic forces caused the remaining engines and starboard wing to detach from the fuselage. Debris rained down over a wide area near the Tripp Corner intersection on Route 11 shortly after noon. No homes were hit, but an explosive fuel-air fire following impact broke some windows. There were no survivors from the plane's eight-man crew.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 47.19 sqmi, of which 42.23 sqmi is land and 4.96 sqmi is water. Poland is drained by the Little Androscoggin River.

The town is crossed by state routes 11, 26 and 122. It is bordered by the towns of Mechanic Falls to the north, Minot to the northeast, Auburn to the east, New Gloucester to the southeast, Casco and Raymond to the southwest, and Otisfield and Oxford to the northwest.

Tripp Pond
Tripp Pond is on the west side of Maine State Route 11, which provides shoulder parking for public access to the east shore of the pond. There is a ramp for trailered boats at the south end of the pond. Summer water temperatures are too high for trout, but the pond provides good habitat for white perch and largemouth bass. The north end of the pond overflows through a series of shallow ponds to the Little Androscoggin River near Welchville in the town of Oxford, Maine 5 mi to the north.

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, Poland has a humid continental climate, Dfb on climate maps.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 5,376 people, 2,140 households, and 1,581 families living in the town. The population density was 127.3 PD/sqmi. There were 2,679 housing units at an average density of 63.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 97.4% White, 0.4% African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.6% of the population.

There were 2,140 households, of which 31.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.6% were married couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 26.1% were non-families. 18.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.81.

The median age in the town was 43.4 years. 22.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.7% were from 25 to 44; 35% were from 45 to 64; and 12.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 50.0% male and 50.0% female.

2000 census
Per the census of 2000, there were 4,866 people, 1,845 households, and 1,437 families living in the town.

The median income for a household in the town was $47,824, and the median income for a family was $55,427. Males had a median income of $33,284 versus $23,926 for females. The per capita income for the town was $22,346. About 1.8% of families and 3.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.0% of those under age 18 and 4.7% of those age 65 or over.

Voter registration

Education
The Town of Poland is a member of Regional School Unit 16 (RSU 16). Poland Regional High School (PRHS) serves as the district high school of RSU 16 and is open to all high school-age students of Poland, Mechanic Falls, and Minot, Maine. Students from Raymond, Maine, as well, attend PRHS on a tuition basis. The school's athletic teams compete in Maine class "B" athletics. The school's mascot is the knight and the school colors are blue and silver. Connected to the high school is Bruce M. Whittier Middle School. This school serves all three towns' 7th and 8th grade students (as of 2010). Both schools opened in 1999. Poland Community School, last expanded in 2002, serves Poland's K–6 students.

Elan School, a private 8–12 behavior modification boarding school that faced numerous reports of abuse throughout its existence, opened in Poland in 1970 and remained until 2011.

Popular culture
Two episodes of the popular 1960s television series Route 66 were filmed in Poland: "Come Out, Come Out, Wherever You Are" (1963) starring Lon Chaney Jr.; and "Same Picture, Different Frame" (1963) starring Joan Crawford, Tom Bosley, and Patrick O'Neal.

Sites of interest

 * Old Poland Corner Schoolhouse
 * Poland Spring Preservation Society
 * Range Ponds State Park

Notable people

 * John Nevins Andrews, minister, missionary, writer, editor and scholar
 * Augustus Burbank, physician, born in Poland
 * Eleazer Burbank, physician, father of Augustus, practiced in Poland
 * David Boyer, state legislator
 * Irving Gilman Davis, economist and educator
 * Moncena Dunn, bookkeeper and army officer
 * Bert M. Fernald, US senator and 47th governor of Maine
 * Jabez K. Walker, Wisconsin assemblyman
 * Amos Whitney, founder of Pratt and Whitney

title: Poland, Maine


text:
Sabattus, Maine

Sabattus is a town in Androscoggin County, Maine, United States. The population was 5,044 at the 2020 census. It is included in both the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine Metropolitan New England City and Town Area. The town was formerly known as "Webster", and changed its name to "Sabattus" in 1971, in honor of a former Anasagunticook Indian chief. The village of Sabattus is in the northwestern corner of the town, at the outlet of Sabattus Pond.

History
The town was set off from Lisbon, and incorporated as Webster on March 7, 1840. The name Sabattus comes from one of the chiefs of the Native American tribe that lived in the area. The tribe had moved on when the settlers came. The only parts of the town to bear the name Sabattus were the lake, river, and mountain. The spelling changed from Sabattis to the current spelling.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 26.91 sqmi, of which 25.71 sqmi is land and 1.20 sqmi is water.

Education
It is a part of the Regional School Unit 4 school district. Schools serving the city:
 * Oak Hill High School (9–12) – Wales
 * Oak Hill Middle School (6–8) – Sabattus
 * Carrie Ricker School (3–5) – Litchfield
 * Sabattus Primary School (Pre-K–2) – Sabattus
 * Libby Tozier School (Pre-K–2) – Litchfield

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 4,876 people, 1,979 households, and 1,407 families living in the town. The population density was 189.7 PD/sqmi. There were 2,121 housing units at an average density of 82.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 97.4% White, 0.2% African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.1% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.0% of the population.

There were 1,979 households, of which 30.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.7% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 28.9% were non-families. 20.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.80.

The median age in the town was 42 years. 21.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 27.1% were from 25 to 44; 30.7% were from 45 to 64; and 14.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 49.7% male and 50.3% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 4,486 people, 1,708 households, and 1,298 families living in the town. The population density was 175.0 PD/sqmi. There were 1,843 housing units at an average density of 71.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 98.28% White, 0.11% African American, 0.29% Native American, 0.22% Asian, 0.11% from other races, and 0.98% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.58% of the population.

There were 1,708 households, out of which 37.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.5% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.0% were non-families. 17.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 26.0% under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 33.5% from 25 to 44, 24.1% from 45 to 64, and 9.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.2 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $41,897, and the median income for a family was $45,984. Males had a median income of $33,105 versus $20,219 for females. The per capita income for the town was $17,451. About 1.5% of families and 2.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.0% of those under age 18 and 3.2% of those age 65 or over.

Notable person

 * Gleason Archer, Sr., founded Suffolk University and Law School

title: Sabattus, Maine


text:
Turner, Maine

Turner is a town in Androscoggin County, Maine, United States. The population was 5,817 at the 2020 census. The town includes the villages of Turner, Turner Center and North Turner. The town is part of the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine Metropolitan New England City and Town Area.

History
First called Sylvester-Canada, the township was granted by the Massachusetts General Court on June 20, 1768, to Major James Warren and others, survivors of Captain Joseph Sylvester's company for their services in the 1690 Battle of Quebec. It replaced a 1735 grant of the same name located at what is now Richmond, New Hampshire, but which was ruled invalid in 1741 because of prior claims from the heirs of John Mason. Reverend Charles Turner of Scituate, Massachusetts, acted as an agent for the dispossessed grantees, and would become the first minister of their new town.

It was settled in 1772 by Daniel Staples, Thomas Record, Elisha Record, Joseph Leavitt and Abner Phillips. Many of the first settlers came from Pembroke, Massachusetts, where most of the proprietors of Sylvester-Canada resided. Nearly all the early settlers came from towns which had sprung up around Plymouth, Massachusetts, including the Leavitt family, descendants of Deacon John Leavitt of Old Ship Church in Hingham, Massachusetts, and the Bradford family, descendants of Governor William Bradford of the Plymouth Colony. Following the Revolutionary War, settlement began to pick up, and by 1784 the expanding village had 30 families. Incorporated on July 7, 1786, Sylvester-Canada was renamed for Reverend Turner.

It was primarily a farming town producing corn and apples, but with exceptional water power sites on the Nezinscot River. Here, Samuel Blake built in 1775 the first mill, both a sawmill and gristmill, although it was destroyed by the great freshet of 1785. It was rebuilt the next season. There were 5 sawmills and 3 gristmills in the community when a fire destroyed those at Turner Village in 1856. They were replaced, and by 1886, industries included not only sawmills and gristmills but a box factory, carriage factory, shoe factory, tannery, paper pulp mill, cheese factory, fulling mill and pottery factory.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 62.72 sqmi, of which 59.26 sqmi is land and 3.46 sqmi is water. Turner is drained by the Nezinscot River, Martin's Stream and the Androscoggin River, which forms the town's border to the east.

The town is crossed by state routes 4, 117 and 219. It borders the towns of Hartford, Buckfield and Hebron to the west, Livermore to the north, and Minot and Auburn to the south, and Greene and Leeds to the east.

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, Turner has a humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfb" on climate maps.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 5,734 people, 2,193 households, and 1,641 families living in the town. The population density was 96.8 PD/sqmi. There were 2,481 housing units at an average density of 41.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 96.8% White, 0.5% African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.9% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.7% of the population.

There were 2,193 households, of which 34.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.0% were married couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 25.2% were non-families. 18.5% 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 2.61 and the average family size was 2.94.

The median age in the town was 41.1 years. 24.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25% were from 25 to 44; 31.9% were from 45 to 64; and 11.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 49.9% male and 50.1% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 4,972 people, 1,768 households, and 1,393 families living in the town. The population density was 83.5 PD/sqmi. There were 1,977 housing units at an average density of 33.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 96.78% White, 0.10% African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.81% from other races, and 0.80% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.78% of the population.

There were 1,768 households, out of which 41.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.0% were married couples living together, 8.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.2% were non-families. 15.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.81 and the average family size was 3.11.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 29.3% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 32.0% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and 9.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.7 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $46,207, and the median income for a family was $52,241. Males had a median income of $34,917 versus $24,975 for females. The per capita income for the town was $23,439. About 2.6% of families and 5.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.5% of those under age 18 and 7.1% of those age 65 or over.

Voter registration

Notable people

 * Solon Chase (Chase's Mill), state legislator, candidate for Governor (1882) and founder of the Greenback Party in Maine
 * Alonzo Conant, Judge Auburn Municipal Court (1946–1958)
 * Eugene Hale, US senator
 * James Henry Howe, federal judge
 * Samuel Merrill, Governor of Iowa 1868 to 1872
 * Joshua Morris, Maine state legislator
 * Sewall A. Phillips, Wisconsin state legislator
 * Job Prince, President of the Maine Senate
 * Mike Rowe, racing driver
 * Alexander B. Whitman, Wisconsin state legislator
 * Royal Emerson Whitman, Army officer who served in the Civil War, Reconstruction and the Indian wars
 * Ray LaMontagne, singer-songwriter

Education
Leavitt Area High School

title: Turner, Maine


text:
Wales, Maine

Wales is a town in Androscoggin County, Maine, United States. The population was 1,608 at the 2020 census. It is included in both the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine Metropolitan New England City and Town Area.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 16.83 sqmi, of which 15.95 sqmi is land and 0.88 sqmi is water.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 1,616 people, 587 households, and 458 families living in the town. The population density was 101.3 PD/sqmi. There were 652 housing units at an average density of 40.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 96.4% White, 0.4% African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.1% from other races, and 2.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.2% of the population.

There were 587 households, of which 38.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.4% were married couples living together, 7.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 8.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 22.0% were non-families. 14.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.75 and the average family size was 3.02.

The median age in the town was 38.7 years. 25.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 27.5% were from 25 to 44; 30.1% were from 45 to 64; and 10.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 51.4% male and 48.6% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,322 people, 468 households, and 366 families living in the town. The population density was 81.9 PD/sqmi. There were 530 housing units at an average density of 32.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 97.05% White, 0.68% African American, 0.45% Native American, 0.91% Asian, 0.08% from other races, and 0.83% from two or more races.

There were 468 households, out of which 40.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.4% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.6% were non-families. 15.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.82 and the average family size was 3.13.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 28.4% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 33.7% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 8.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 107.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.5 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $44,444, and the median income for a family was $47,880. Males had a median income of $29,297 versus $24,000 for females. The per capita income for the town was $16,963. About 5.6% of families and 8.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.7% of those under age 18 and 14.3% of those age 65 or over.

Voter registration

Education
It is a part of the Regional School Unit 4 school district. Schools operated by the district:
 * Oak Hill High School (9–12) – Wales
 * Oak Hill Middle School (6–8) – Sabattus
 * Carrie Ricker School (3–5) – Litchfield
 * Sabbatus Primary School (Pre-K–2) – Sabattus
 * Libby Tozier School (Pre-K–2) – Litchfield

Notable person

 * Melville Jones, Indy car racer

title: Wales, Maine


text:
Allagash, Maine

Allagash is a town in Aroostook County, Maine, United States. It is on the Allagash River in the North Maine Woods region.

The population was 237 at the 2020 census.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 131.42 sqmi, of which 128.61 sqmi is land and 2.81 sqmi is water. This makes Allagash the largest town in Maine in terms of total land area (although when both land and water areas are included in the total, then Vinalhaven and St. George (both in coastal Knox County) are larger than Allagash).

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, Allagash has a humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfb" on climate maps, bordering on a subarctic climate (Dfc).

Demographics
As of 2000 the median income for a household in the town was $18,125, and the median income for a family was $26,250. Males had a median income of $26,875 versus $17,813 for females. The per capita income for the town was $11,968. About 15.1% of families and 18.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.3% of those under the age of eighteen and 23.5% of those 65 or over.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 239 people, 124 households, and 76 families residing in the town. The population density was 1.9 PD/sqmi. There were 307 housing units at an average density of 2.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 97.5% White, 0.4% African American, and 2.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.8% of the population.

There were 124 households, of which 13.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.6% were married couples living together, 6.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 7.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 38.7% were non-families. 35.5% 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 1.93 and the average family size was 2.41.

The median age in the town was 57.8 years. 11.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 16.3% were from 25 to 44; 37.7% were from 45 to 64; and 31.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 49.0% male and 51.0% female.

Notable people

 * Troy Jackson, Maine Senate President
 * Cathie Pelletier, novelist

title: Allagash, Maine