Deer Isle, Maine facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Deer Isle, Maine
Town
Mill Creek and Town Hall in 1907
Motto(s):  "Welcome To Our Beautiful Island"
Deer Isle, Maine Location in Maine Show map of Maine Deer Isle, Maine Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Country	United States
State	Maine
County	Hancock
Incorporated	1789
Villages	Deer Isle Eggemoggin Little Deer Isle Mountainville North Deer Isle Reach South Deer Isle Sunset Sunshine
Area
• Total	123.67 sq mi (320.30 km2)
• Land	29.72 sq mi (76.97 km2)
• Water	93.95 sq mi (243.33 km2)
Elevation	0 ft (0 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	2,194
• Density	74/sq mi (28.5/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP Codes	04627 (Deer Isle) 04650 (Little Deer Isle) 04683 (Sunset)
Area code(s)	207
FIPS code	23-17145
GNIS feature ID	0582437

Deer Isle is a charming town located in Hancock County, Maine, in the United States. In 2020, about 2,194 people lived there. This beautiful island town is known for its interesting places. These include the Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, the Stonington Opera House, and many art galleries.

History of Deer Isle

The town of Deer Isle was officially created in 1789. At that time, it included several islands. These were Little Deer Isle, Deer Isle, and Isle au Haut. The name "Deer Isle" came from the many deer that lived on these islands.

In 1868, Isle au Haut became its own separate town. Later, in 1897, the southern part of Deer Isle also became a new town. This new town was named Stonington.

Granite Industry and Famous Buildings

During the 1800s, the granite industry was very important on Deer Isle. Quarries here provided strong granite for many famous buildings. This granite was used for the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. It also helped build parts of the Smithsonian Institution and the US Naval Academy. The Manhattan Bridge in New York City also used granite from Deer Isle. Even President John F. Kennedy's tomb at Arlington National Cemetery features this special stone.

Deer Isle in Literature and Music

Deer Isle has also inspired artists and writers. The famous author John Steinbeck visited Deer Isle. He wrote about it in his book, Travels with Charley. Steinbeck said, "One doesn't have to be sensitive to feel the strangeness of Deer Isle."

The musician Dan Fogelberg and his wife chose Deer Isle as their home. He lived there until he passed away in 2007. The painter Fairfield Porter was inspired by a dock on the island. Many small private islands are found in the waters around Deer Isle.

Art and Sculpture

A Maine sculptor named Cabot Lyford used seven tons of Deer Isle granite for his artwork. He carved a well-known piece called "Life Force." This sculpture shows dolphins jumping from the water. You can see "Life Force" outside the Regency Hotel in Portland, Maine.

Geography of Deer Isle

The town of Deer Isle is one of two communities on the main island of Deer Isle. The other community is Stonington. The town covers a total area of about 123.67 square miles (320.30 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 93.95 square miles (243.33 square kilometers), is water. The land area is about 29.72 square miles (76.97 square kilometers).

Deer Isle is separated from the mainland by a body of water called Eggemoggin Reach. You can drive to the island by crossing a narrow suspension bridge. This bridge was built in 1939 and is named the Deer Isle Bridge.

Population Changes Over Time

Population in 2010

In 2010, there were 1,975 people living in Deer Isle. There were 929 households, which are groups of people living together. About 533 of these households were families. The population density was about 66.5 people per square mile.

Most of the people in Deer Isle were White (98.1%). A small number were African American, Native American, or Asian. About 1% of the population identified as two or more races. Less than 1% were Hispanic or Latino.

About 20.8% of households had children under 18 years old. Many households (46.5%) were married couples living together. About 35.4% of all households were individuals living alone. Many people aged 65 or older lived by themselves (21.1%). The average age of people in Deer Isle was 51.6 years.

Notable People from Deer Isle

The Deer Isle Bridge connects the island to the mainland.

Many interesting people have connections to Deer Isle. They include writers, artists, and musicians.

• Gerald Warner Brace (1901–1978), a writer, professor, and boat builder.
• Holly Eaton, a politician who lives in Deer Isle.
• Dan Fogelberg (1951–2007), a famous singer, songwriter, and musician.
• Buckminster Fuller (1895–1983), a well-known architect and inventor.
• Robert McCloskey (1914–2003), an author and illustrator of children's books.
• Francis Sumner Merritt (1913–2000), a painter and co-founder of the Haystack Mountain School of Crafts.
• Frederick Law Olmsted (1822–1903), an important early urban planner and landscape architect.
• Ronald Hayes Pearson (1924–1996), a designer, jeweler, and metalsmith.
• Thomas E. Ricks (born 1955), a journalist and author who won a Pulitzer Prize. He writes about military and national security.
• Anica Mrose Rissi, an author and writer who grew up in Deer Isle.
• Salome Sellers (1800–1909), believed to be the last person born in the 18th century to be documented as living.
• Cynthia Voigt (born 1942), an author who writes books for young adults.

See also

In Spanish: Deer Isle (Maine) para niños