Blue Hill, Maine facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Blue Hill, Maine
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Blue Hill from Parker Point
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| Motto(s):
"Got lost Blue Hill, Maine"
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 Blue Hill, Maine
Location in Maine
Blue Hill, Maine
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Maine |
| County | Hancock |
| Incorporated | 1789 |
| Villages | Blue Hill Blue Hill Falls East Blue Hill North Blue Hill South Blue Hill |
| Area | |
| • Total | 86.57 sq mi (224.22 km2) |
| • Land | 62.48 sq mi (161.82 km2) |
| • Water | 24.09 sq mi (62.39 km2) |
| Elevation | 46 ft (14 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 2,792 |
| • Density | 45/sq mi (17.3/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
04614
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| Area code(s) | 207 |
| FIPS code | 23-05700 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0582357 |
| Website | Town of Blue Hill, Maine |
Blue Hill is a lovely town in Hancock County, Maine, United States. It is located right on Blue Hill Bay. In 2020, about 2,792 people lived there.
Blue Hill is known for its community and cultural spots. It is home to the Blue Hill Public Library, Blue Hill Memorial Hospital, and several schools like George Stevens Academy. You can also find the New Surry Theatre and Kneisel Hall, which is famous for music. The town also hosts the fun annual Blue Hill Fair.
Contents
A Look Back in Time
Blue Hill was first called Plantation Number 5. It was given to soldiers who served in the French and Indian War. The first settlers, Captain Joseph Wood and John Roundy, arrived in 1762. They came from Andover, Massachusetts. They built their homes on Mill Island. The area was then known as Newport Plantation.
On January 30, 1789, the town officially became Blue Hill. It was named after a tall hill that overlooks the area.
Early Industries
The town used water power from ponds to run sawmills and gristmills. These mills helped cut wood and grind grain. By 1859, Blue Hill was shipping out a lot of firewood. They also produced lumber, tall masts for ships, and roof shingles.
But the most important industry was shipbuilding. Starting in 1792, 133 ships were built in Blue Hill. Most of these were schooners, which are sailing ships with two or more masts.
Blue Hill was also famous for its high-quality granite. This strong stone was used in big projects. Some of it helped build the famous Brooklyn Bridge in New York City. It was also used for the New York Stock Exchange Building and the U.S. Custom House in Norfolk, Virginia. In 1876, about 300 people worked in the local granite quarries.
The Viking Penny
In 1957, something very exciting was found near Blue Hill. An amateur archeologist named Guy Mellgren discovered a Viking penny. This coin was found at the prehistoric Goddard Site. Experts believe the coin is from the 11th century. It dates back to the time of Olaf Kyrre, a king of Norway. This discovery suggests that Vikings might have visited this area long ago!
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Blue Hill around 1920
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Main Street around 1909
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The Elms around 1920
Where is Blue Hill?
Blue Hill covers a total area of about 86.57 square miles (224.22 square kilometers). Most of this is land, with some water areas too. The town is located on Blue Hill Bay. Mill Brook helps drain water from the town.
The highest point in Blue Hill is Blue Hill itself, which is about 940 feet (287 meters) tall. Long Island, located in Blue Hill Bay, is also part of the town.
Blue Hill is connected by several state roads, including Route 15, 172, 176, and 177. It shares borders with other towns like Surry, Brooklin, Sedgwick, and Penobscot. The town also has its own airport, Blue Hill Airport.
Population Facts
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1790 | 274 | — | |
| 1800 | 494 | 80.3% | |
| 1810 | 658 | 33.2% | |
| 1820 | 957 | 45.4% | |
| 1830 | 1,486 | 55.3% | |
| 1840 | 1,891 | 27.3% | |
| 1850 | 1,939 | 2.5% | |
| 1860 | 1,993 | 2.8% | |
| 1870 | 1,707 | −14.4% | |
| 1880 | 2,213 | 29.6% | |
| 1890 | 1,980 | −10.5% | |
| 1900 | 1,828 | −7.7% | |
| 1910 | 1,462 | −20.0% | |
| 1920 | 1,564 | 7.0% | |
| 1930 | 1,439 | −8.0% | |
| 1940 | 1,343 | −6.7% | |
| 1950 | 1,308 | −2.6% | |
| 1960 | 1,270 | −2.9% | |
| 1970 | 1,367 | 7.6% | |
| 1980 | 1,644 | 20.3% | |
| 1990 | 1,941 | 18.1% | |
| 2000 | 2,390 | 23.1% | |
| 2010 | 2,686 | 12.4% | |
| 2020 | 2,792 | 3.9% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
According to the 2010 census, there were 2,686 people living in Blue Hill. The population density was about 43 people per square mile. Most residents were White (97.3%).
The average age in Blue Hill was about 49.5 years old. About 17.5% of the residents were under 18 years old.
Famous People from Blue Hill
Many interesting people have lived in or been connected to Blue Hill:
- Gerald Warner Brace, author
- Minerva Kline Brooks, a person who worked for women's right to vote
- Mary Ellen Chase, author
- George Albert Clough, architect (someone who designs buildings)
- A. J. Cronin, author
- Daniel Dennett, philosopher (someone who studies big ideas about life)
- Jonathan Fisher, minister
- June Harding, actress and artist
- Effie Hinckley Ober Kline, opera supporter and helper of others
- Jonathan Lethem, Author
- Bill McHenry, musician
- Nina Milliken, politician
- Ethelbert Nevin, composer (someone who writes music)
- Horatio Parker, composer
- Brian D. Rogers, a leader at the University of Alaska Fairbanks
- Susan Shaw, a scientist who studies environmental health
- Noel Paul Stookey, musician (from the group Peter, Paul and Mary)
- Bertha Tapper, pianist
- Walter C. Teagle, a leader at Standard Oil
- Janwillem van de Wetering, author
- Emma Willmann, comedian and actress
- Esther E. Wood, historian, educator, author, and journalist
See also
In Spanish: Blue Hill (Maine) para niños
