Carthage, Maine facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Carthage, Maine
|
|
|---|---|
Carthage Historical Society building
|
|
 Carthage, Maine
Location in Maine
Carthage, Maine
Location in the United States
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | Maine |
| County | Franklin |
| Incorporated | 1826 |
| Villages | Carthage Berry Mills Tainter Corner |
| Area | |
| • Total | 33.46 sq mi (86.66 km2) |
| • Land | 33.33 sq mi (86.32 km2) |
| • Water | 0.13 sq mi (0.34 km2) |
| Elevation | 719 ft (219 m) |
| Population
(2020)
|
|
| • Total | 509 |
| • Density | 15/sq mi (5.9/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP Code |
04224
|
| Area code(s) | 207 |
| FIPS code | 23-10915 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0582393 |
Carthage is a small town in Franklin County, Maine, United States. It is located in the beautiful state of Maine. In 2020, about 509 people lived there.
Contents
Discovering Carthage's Past
Carthage was first known as "Plantation No. 4, Abbott's Purchase." This was a large area of land. In 1815, a man named Jacob Abbott bought it. He bought it from Jonathan Phillips, who had bought it from the state of Massachusetts.
Early Settlers and Industries
This area was known for its many pine forests. It also had valuable limestone deposits. In 1804, William Bowley and his family moved here. They came from Bristol, New Hampshire. William, his brother Oliver, and their father Gideon built the first sawmill. This mill was on the Webb River. The next year, they built a gristmill. A gristmill grinds grain into flour.
Becoming a Town
The town officially became "Carthage" on February 20, 1826. It was named after the ancient city of Carthage. That city was in North Africa, in what is now Tunisia. In 1849, some land was separated to form a new "Plantation No. 4." By 1880, Carthage had farms and two sawmills. It also had a gristmill and a quarry for limestone. The population was about 507 people back then.
Exploring Carthage's Geography
Carthage covers about 33.46 square miles (86.66 square kilometers). Most of this area is land. Only a small part, about 0.13 square miles (0.34 square kilometers), is water.
Rivers and Landscape
The Webb River flows through Carthage. It winds its way south from Webb Lake. Then it joins the Androscoggin River. The town is located in a valley. This valley is surrounded by hills and mountains.
Neighboring Towns and Roads
Maine State Route 142 is the main road that serves the town. Carthage shares its borders with several other towns. To the north is Weld, Maine. To the east are Perkins Plantation, Plantation No. 4, Wilton, Maine, and Temple, Maine. To the south are Mexico, Maine and Dixfield, Maine. These southern towns are in Oxford County, Maine.
Carthage's Population Story
The number of people living in Carthage has changed over the years. Here's a look at how the population has grown and shrunk:
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1830 | 333 | — | |
| 1840 | 522 | 56.8% | |
| 1850 | 420 | −19.5% | |
| 1860 | 503 | 19.8% | |
| 1870 | 486 | −3.4% | |
| 1880 | 507 | 4.3% | |
| 1890 | 390 | −23.1% | |
| 1900 | 334 | −14.4% | |
| 1910 | 292 | −12.6% | |
| 1920 | 282 | −3.4% | |
| 1930 | 247 | −12.4% | |
| 1940 | 281 | 13.8% | |
| 1950 | 339 | 20.6% | |
| 1960 | 370 | 9.1% | |
| 1970 | 354 | −4.3% | |
| 1980 | 438 | 23.7% | |
| 1990 | 458 | 4.6% | |
| 2000 | 520 | 13.5% | |
| 2010 | 560 | 7.7% | |
| 2020 | 509 | −9.1% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Life in Carthage in 2010
According to the census from 2010, 560 people lived in Carthage. There were 223 households in the town. A household is a group of people living together. About 144 of these were families.
The average age of people in Carthage was about 44 years old. About 21% of residents were under 18 years old. About 12.5% were 65 years or older. There were slightly more males than females living in the town.
Places to Visit
- Carthage Historical Society & Museum: This is a great place to learn more about the town's history.
Famous People from Carthage
- Hiram Pitt Bennet: He was an important political figure. He served as a delegate from the Territory of Colorado. He was also the Secretary of State for Colorado.
See also
In Spanish: Carthage (Maine) para niños
