Acton, Maine facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Acton, Maine
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Acton Corner c. 1920
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 Acton, Maine
Location in Maine
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| Country | United States |
| State | Maine |
| County | York |
| Incorporated | 1830 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Board of Selectmen |
| Area | |
| • Total | 41.11 sq mi (106.47 km2) |
| • Land | 37.72 sq mi (97.69 km2) |
| • Water | 3.39 sq mi (8.78 km2) |
| Elevation | 748 ft (228 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 2,671 |
| • Density | 71/sq mi (27.3/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
04001
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| Area code(s) | 207 |
| FIPS code | 23-00275 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0582315 |
| Website | http://www.actonmaine.org/ |
Acton is a small town located in York County, Maine, United States. In 2020, about 2,671 people lived there. The town includes the smaller areas of Acton, Miller Corner, and South Acton.
Acton is famous for its Acton Fair, which takes place every year in late summer. It's a fun event that brings the community together. The town is also part of the larger Portland area.
Contents
History of Acton
Acton was once part of a very large piece of land called the Ossipee Tract. This land was sold by a Native American chief named Captain Sunday in 1668. Later, in 1770, the land was divided among the families who owned it.
The area that became Acton was first called Hubbardstown Plantation. In 1785, it was officially made a town and named Shapleigh. Then, on March 6, 1830, the western part of Shapleigh became its own town, called Acton. It was named after a place called Acton in England.
Early Settlers and Mills
The first people to settle in Acton village arrived in 1776. They were Benjamin Kimens, Clement Steele, and John York. They came from a town called York.
In 1779, Joseph Parsons built a gristmill on the Salmon Falls River. A gristmill grinds grain into flour. Soon, many other mills were built in Acton. These mills used the power of flowing water to work. There were sawmills (for cutting wood), more gristmills, and even mills for making hemp and felt. There was also a tannery (for making leather) and a shoe factory.
Silver Mining and the Acton Fair
In 1877, something exciting happened: silver was found near Goding Creek, close to the border with Lebanon. People started digging mines in the 1880s, hoping to find more silver. However, the mining didn't last very long.
Even though the soil wasn't great for farming in many parts of Acton, some areas on the hills produced good crops. In 1866, a group called the Shapleigh & Acton Agricultural Society was formed. They started holding an annual fair and cattle show. This event still happens every late summer and is known as the Acton Fair.
A very old man named Ralph Farnham lived in Acton for 80 years. He was the last person alive who had fought in the Battle of Bunker Hill during the American Revolution. He passed away in 1860 at the age of 104.
Geography of Acton
Acton covers an area of about 41.11 square miles (106.47 square kilometers). Most of this is land, with about 3.39 square miles (8.78 square kilometers) being water.
Several rivers flow through Acton, including the Little Ossipee River, the Mousam River, and the Salmon Falls River. The highest point in town is Hussey Hill, which is 1,051 feet (320 meters) above sea level. Hussey Hill is also the southernmost mountain in Maine that is over 1,000 feet tall.
State Route 109 runs through Acton. The town shares its borders with several other towns:
- To the north: Newfield
- To the east: Shapleigh
- To the south: Lebanon
- To the southeast: Sanford
- To the west: Milton, New Hampshire
- To the northwest: Wakefield, New Hampshire
Population Changes
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1830 | 1,398 | — | |
| 1840 | 1,401 | 0.2% | |
| 1850 | 1,359 | −3.0% | |
| 1860 | 1,218 | −10.4% | |
| 1870 | 1,008 | −17.2% | |
| 1880 | 1,050 | 4.2% | |
| 1890 | 878 | −16.4% | |
| 1900 | 778 | −11.4% | |
| 1910 | 603 | −22.5% | |
| 1920 | 499 | −17.2% | |
| 1930 | 449 | −10.0% | |
| 1940 | 392 | −12.7% | |
| 1950 | 473 | 20.7% | |
| 1960 | 501 | 5.9% | |
| 1970 | 697 | 39.1% | |
| 1980 | 1,228 | 76.2% | |
| 1990 | 1,727 | 40.6% | |
| 2000 | 2,145 | 24.2% | |
| 2010 | 2,447 | 14.1% | |
| 2020 | 2,671 | 9.2% | |
The population of Acton has changed a lot over the years. In 1830, when it became a town, there were almost 1,400 people. The population went down for many years but started growing again in the 1950s. By 2020, it had reached 2,671 people.
Education in Acton
Children in Acton from Pre-Kindergarten to 8th grade go to Acton Elementary School. This school is part of the Acton Schools Department. For high school, students attend Sanford High School.
Places to Visit
- Acton-Shapleigh Historical Society & Museum: This is a great place to learn more about the history of Acton and the nearby town of Shapleigh.
Famous People from Acton
- Richard Nass: A person who worked in the state government.
- Nathan Clifford Ricker: An architect and a professor at the University of Illinois.
See also
In Spanish: Acton (Maine) para niños
