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Brooklin, Maine facts for kids

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Brooklin, Maine
Center Harbor in 1909
Center Harbor in 1909
Brooklin, Maine is located in Maine
Brooklin, Maine
Brooklin, Maine
Location in Maine
Brooklin, Maine is located in the United States
Brooklin, Maine
Brooklin, Maine
Location in the United States
Country United States
State Maine
County Hancock
Incorporated 1849
Villages Brooklin
Haven
Naskeag
North Brooklin
West Brooklin
Area
 • Total 41.18 sq mi (106.66 km2)
 • Land 17.92 sq mi (46.41 km2)
 • Water 23.26 sq mi (60.24 km2)
Elevation
33 ft (10 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 827
 • Density 46/sq mi (17.8/km2)
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
04616
Area code(s) 207
FIPS code 23-07800
GNIS feature ID 0582370

Brooklin is a small town located in Hancock County, Maine, United States. In 2020, about 827 people lived there. It is known for its beautiful coastal areas and interesting history.

History of Brooklin

Brooklin was once part of a larger town called Sedgwick. In 1849, Brooklin decided to become its own separate town. A few weeks later, it was named Brooklin, after a "brook line" that separated it from Sedgwick.

Early settlers used fish oil from a type of fish called "pogie" to help their crops grow in the tough soil. Because of this, hay became a very important crop. However, with its excellent harbors, most people in Brooklin worked in fishing and seafaring (traveling by sea).

By 1859, the town had a population of 1,002 people. It also had five factories that made boots and shoes, and two businesses that made barrels. Later, around 1886, Brooklin became famous for making a lot of smoked herring (a type of fish). Canning lobster also became a big business.

Geography of Brooklin

Brooklin covers a total area of about 41.18 square miles (106.66 square kilometers). A little over half of this area, about 23.26 square miles (60.24 square kilometers), is water. The rest, about 17.92 square miles (46.41 square kilometers), is land.

The town is located on the Eggemoggin Reach, Blue Hill Bay, and the Benjamin River. These waterways are all part of Penobscot Bay, which is a large bay in Maine.

Maine State Route 175 is a main road that goes through the town.

Population and People

The population of Brooklin has changed over the years. Here's how many people have lived there during different census counts:

Historical population
Census Pop.
1850 1,002
1860 1,043 4.1%
1870 966 −7.4%
1880 977 1.1%
1890 1,046 7.1%
1900 936 −10.5%
1910 936 0.0%
1920 856 −8.5%
1930 782 −8.6%
1940 656 −16.1%
1950 546 −16.8%
1960 525 −3.8%
1970 598 13.9%
1980 619 3.5%
1990 785 26.8%
2000 841 7.1%
2010 824 −2.0%
2020 827 0.4%
U.S. Decennial Census

What the 2010 Census Showed

In 2010, there were 824 people living in Brooklin. Most of the people were White (97.9%). The average age of people in the town was about 52.9 years old.

Archaeological Discoveries

The Maine Penny

An interesting discovery was made in Brooklin: an 11th-century Norse coin. This coin was supposedly found at a site where Native Americans used to trade. If this is true, it would be the only physical proof that Norse settlers (like Vikings) ever came to what is now the United States.

However, it's also possible that the coin was not brought directly by Vikings. It might have arrived through trading networks, meaning it was passed from one group of people to another until it reached the area. Some people also wonder if the coin's discovery was a hoax.

Important Historic Places

Brooklin is home to several places that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are important to the history of the United States.

Famous People from Brooklin

Rockbound Chapel
Rockbound Chapel, completed in 1902

Several notable people have lived in or had connections to Brooklin:

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Brooklin (Maine) para niños

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