Dixmont, Maine facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dixmont, Maine
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| Motto(s):
"The Best Town in Maine!"
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 Dixmont, Maine
Location in Maine
Dixmont, Maine
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Maine |
| County | Penobscot |
| Area | |
| • Total | 36.43 sq mi (94.35 km2) |
| • Land | 36.29 sq mi (93.99 km2) |
| • Water | 0.14 sq mi (0.36 km2) |
| Elevation | 518 ft (158 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,211 |
| • Density | 33/sq mi (12.9/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| ZIP Code |
04932
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| Area code(s) | 207 |
| FIPS code | 23-17950 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0582444 |
Dixmont is a small town located in Penobscot County, Maine, United States. In 2020, about 1,211 people lived there. It is part of the larger Bangor area.
Contents
Dixmont's Early History
Dixmont was first given to Bowdoin College by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Maine was part of Massachusetts at that time. The college then sold land to the first settlers. Because of this, the area was first known as "Collegetown." The first people settled here in 1799.
How Dixmont Got Its Name
A man named Dr. Elijah Dix from Boston bought a lot of land in Collegetown. He never lived there, but he cared about its growth. When the town officially became a town in 1807, it was named after him. Sadly, Dr. Dix passed away in Dixmont in 1809 during a visit. He was buried in the Dixmont Corner Cemetery.
Growth and Challenges
In 1807, a serious illness affected many settlers. Even with this challenge, the population grew quickly from 59 people in 1800 to 337 by 1810. This was the fastest growth the town ever saw.
Famous Connections and Stagecoach Stops
Dr. Elijah Dix was the grandfather of Dorothea Dix, a famous reformer. She was born in nearby Hampden. Another town, Dixfield, Maine, is also named after Dr. Dix.
Dixmont was an important stop on the main stagecoach route between Bangor and Augusta. It was the highest point on the road, making it a natural place for horses to rest. A writer named William Lloyd Garrison noted in 1832 that the "Dixmont Hills are famous and formidable."
Dixmont's Peak and Industries
By the 1850s, Dixmont's population reached its highest point with over 1,600 people. This is more than 400 more than live there today. The town had three sawmills, a shingle mill, and two mills for grinding flour. Many farms were also very productive.
In the 1870s, Dixmont had two small companies that made cheese. By 1880, the town had two hotels and one doctor. Raising sheep was also very popular, especially because of the hilly land. In 1880, Dixmont had more sheep than any other town in Penobscot County.
Later Years
A small earthquake happened in North Dixmont in 1895, but no damage was reported. By 1900, the population of Dixmont had gone down to 843 people.
Dixmont's Geography
Dixmont has some beautiful hills. The highest ones are Peaked Mountain and Mount Harris. Mount Harris is about 1,230 feet (375 meters) above sea level. In 1854, the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey built an observatory on top of Mount Harris.
Town Villages
Like many towns in Maine, Dixmont has several smaller communities or villages. The four main villages are Dixmont Corner, North Dixmont, East Dixmont, and Dixmont Center.
Land and Water Area
The town covers a total area of about 36.43 square miles (94.35 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 36.29 square miles (93.99 square kilometers), is land. A small part, about 0.14 square miles (0.36 square kilometers), is water.
Dixmont's Population Over Time
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1810 | 337 | — | |
| 1820 | 515 | 52.8% | |
| 1830 | 945 | 83.5% | |
| 1840 | 1,498 | 58.5% | |
| 1850 | 1,605 | 7.1% | |
| 1860 | 1,442 | −10.2% | |
| 1870 | 1,309 | −9.2% | |
| 1880 | 1,132 | −13.5% | |
| 1890 | 919 | −18.8% | |
| 1900 | 843 | −8.3% | |
| 1910 | 757 | −10.2% | |
| 1920 | 602 | −20.5% | |
| 1930 | 538 | −10.6% | |
| 1940 | 576 | 7.1% | |
| 1950 | 631 | 9.5% | |
| 1960 | 551 | −12.7% | |
| 1970 | 559 | 1.5% | |
| 1980 | 812 | 45.3% | |
| 1990 | 1,007 | 24.0% | |
| 2000 | 1,065 | 5.8% | |
| 2010 | 1,181 | 10.9% | |
| 2020 | 1,211 | 2.5% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
The table above shows how Dixmont's population has changed over many years. In 2010, there were 1,181 people living in the town. The population density was about 32.5 people per square mile (12.5 people per square kilometer).
Historic Buildings in Dixmont
Two buildings in Dixmont are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are important historical sites.
- The Carpenter Gothic-style Dixmont Corner Church was built in 1835. It was designed by Rowland Tyler.
- The Louis I. Bussey School was built in 1808.
Education in Dixmont
Dixmont shares an elementary school with the nearby town of Etna. It is called the Etna-Dixmont School. However, Dixmont does not have its own high school. Students from Dixmont attend high school in nearby Newport or Bangor. These schools include Nokomis Regional High School, John Bapst Memorial High School, or Bangor High School.
Notable People from Dixmont
Many interesting people have connections to Dixmont:
- Samuel Butman (1788–1864): A US congressman and president of the Maine State Senate.
- Jonathan G. Hunton: The 9th governor of Maine.
- Sawin Millett: A Maine state representative.
- Frank Addison Porter: A classical composer.
- Benjamin Franklin Upton: A photographer.
- Abner Weed (1842–1917): He founded the town of Weed, California and was a California state senator.
See also
In Spanish: Dixmont (Maine) para niños
