Columbia Falls, Maine facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Columbia Falls, Maine
Town
Town Hall and Pleasant River c. 1908
Columbia Falls, Maine Location in Maine
Country	United States
State	Maine
County	Washington
Incorporated	1863
Area
• Total	24.67 sq mi (63.90 km2)
• Land	24.55 sq mi (63.58 km2)
• Water	0.12 sq mi (0.31 km2)
Elevation	154 ft (47 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	476
• Density	19/sq mi (7.5/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code	04623
Area code(s)	207
FIPS code	23-13820
GNIS feature ID	0582415

Columbia Falls is a small town in Washington County, Maine, United States. In 2020, about 476 people lived there.

The town gets its name from the fast-moving water, called Rapids, on the Pleasant River. These rapids flow right through the town. Columbia Falls and its neighbor, Columbia, Maine, used to be one big town. But in 1863, Columbia Falls became its own separate town.

History of Columbia Falls

The area started as a township called Township 13 SD, BPP. It joined with Township 12 in 1796. This larger area was then named Columbia. People began settling here shortly after the Revolutionary War. On March 25, 1863, Columbia Falls officially separated from Columbia and became its own town.

Early Industries and Buildings

In the past, Lumbering (cutting down trees for wood) and shipbuilding were very important. These industries helped the town grow and build beautiful homes. One famous building is the Ruggles House, built between 1818 and 1820. It's a lovely example of Federal style and is now a museum.

Another important building is the Union Church, built in 1849. This Greek Revival style building used to be a church. Since 1902, it has served as the town hall, library, and a place for town records. The Washington County Railroad reached Columbia Falls in 1898, helping with trade and travel.

Modern Industries

Today, Tourism is a key industry, with visitors coming to enjoy the area. Harvesting blueberries is also very important. The town is also known for growing Christmas trees and making wreaths.

Flagpole of Freedom Park Project

In 2023, Columbia Falls gained national attention for an exciting project. A local businessman named Morrill Worcester proposed building the world's tallest flagpole here. This flagpole would be 1,461 feet (445 meters) high. That's even taller than the Empire State Building!

The project is part of a larger plan called the Flagpole of Freedom Park. This park would also include a large auditorium with 4,000 seats. Morrill Worcester's company, Worcester Wreath Co., grew into Wreaths Across America. This organization donates over a million wreaths to military cemeteries and gravesites worldwide.

Geography of Columbia Falls

Columbia Falls covers about 24.67 square miles (63.90 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 24.55 square miles (63.58 square kilometers), is land. A small part, about 0.12 square miles (0.31 square kilometers), is water. The Pleasant River flows through the town.

Major roads that pass through Columbia Falls include U.S. Route 1 and Maine State Route 187.

Population Changes Over Time

The population of Columbia Falls has changed over the years. In 1870, there were 608 people. The population reached its highest in 1890 with 698 people. It then saw some declines, reaching 367 in 1970. Since then, the population has generally increased, reaching 599 in 2000, before a slight decrease to 476 in 2020.

Places to Visit

• Ruggles House
• Union Church, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
• Bucknam House, also on the National Register of Historic Places
• Samuel Bucknam House, another historic home
• Columbia House, also listed on the National Register of Historic Places

Notable People

• Irv Young, a professional baseball player

See also

In Spanish: Columbia Falls (Maine) para niños