Fairfield, Maine facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Fairfield
Town
Main Street in 1910
Fairfield Location in Maine
Country	United States
State	Maine
County	Somerset
Incorporated	1788
Area
• Total	54.58 sq mi (141.36 km2)
• Land	53.75 sq mi (139.21 km2)
• Water	0.83 sq mi (2.15 km2)
Elevation	207 ft (63 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	6,484
• Density	121/sq mi (46.6/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code	04937
Area code(s)	207
FIPS code	23-24320
GNIS feature ID	0582471
Website	fairfieldme.com/town

Fairfield is a town in Somerset County, Maine, United States. In 2020, about 6,484 people lived there. The town includes areas like Fairfield Center, Fairfield village, and Hinckley. It is right next to the city of Waterville. Fairfield is home to the Good Will-Hinckley School, Lawrence High School, and Kennebec Valley Community College.

History

Fairfield was once the land of the Canibas tribe of Abenaki Indians. They lived in a village called Taconnet, located where the Sebasticook and Kennebec rivers meet. In 1692, during King William's War, their village was burned down. The Canibas tribe then left the area.

After the French and Indian Wars ended in 1763, English settlers began to move in. The area was first settled in 1774 and was called Fairfield Plantation. It was named "Fairfield" because of its pleasant appearance.

In 1775, during the Revolutionary War, Benedict Arnold and his soldiers stopped here. They rested and got supplies while marching up the Kennebec River to the Battle of Quebec. After the war, Fairfield Plantation grew as a place for trade and farming. Farmers grew hay, grain, and potatoes. The town was also known for its many good quality cattle.

Fairfield officially became a town on June 18, 1788. By 1790, it had 492 residents.

Industry and Mills

The Kennebec River has a 34-foot drop in Fairfield. This drop provided strong water power for factories. Fairfield became a "mill town" with many industries. There were eight sawmills, three planing mills, and a gristmill. Factories made canned corn, plaster, carriages, sleds, and wooden items like doors and cabinets. There was also a clothing factory, a marble works, and a tannery. The biggest factories were textile plants, like Kendall's Mills and Somerset Mills.

Railroads and Development

The main Maine Central Railroad line passed through Fairfield. It connected Portland, Waterville, and Bangor. Another line, the Skowhegan branch, ran along the Kennebec River. It went from Waterville to Skowhegan, with stops in Shawmut and Hinckley.

In 1889, Reverend George W. Hinckley started the Hinckley School. This school helped many young people.

The Gerald Hotel was built downtown in 1899–1900. It was a famous building designed by William Robinson Miller. The hotel had a statue of Mercury, the Roman god of speed, on top. It operated until 1937. Miller also designed the town's Lawrence Library and Lawrence High School. Today, Fairfield mainly produces wood and paper products. Many people who live in Fairfield work in nearby Waterville.

Townships and Services

Fairfield has three post offices because it includes four different areas. These areas are Fairfield Center, Shawmut, Hinckley, and Larone. Fairfield Center and Larone do not have their own post offices.

For about 75 years, the main urban part of Fairfield (once called Kendall's Mills) had its own local government. This government handled city needs like police and fire services. The other areas, like Shawmut, Fairfield Center, and Hinckley, did not pay taxes for these city services since they didn't receive them. This special arrangement ended in 1929.

Geography

Fairfield covers about 54.58 square miles (141.36 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water. The Kennebec River flows through Fairfield.

Climate

Fairfield has a climate with big changes in temperature throughout the year. Summers are warm to hot and can be humid. Winters are cold, sometimes very cold. This type of climate is called a humid continental climate.

Demographics

Population in 2010

In 2010, Fairfield had 6,735 people living in 2,793 households. About 30.6% of households had children under 18. The average age in town was 41.8 years old. About 22.5% of residents were under 18.

Sites of interest

Fairfield has several interesting places to visit:

• L. C. Bates Museum: A museum with natural history exhibits.
• Cotton-Smith House, Fairfield Historical Society Museum: A museum about the town's history.
• Stone historical markers: These markers remember important events and people.
  • One marker shows where Benedict Arnold and his troops camped in 1775.
  • Another marker honors veterans of American conflicts.

Education

Fairfield schools are part of Maine School Administrative District 49. Roberta Hersom is the Superintendent of Schools.

Schools in the district include:

• Albion Elementary
• Adult Education
• Benton Elementary
• Clinton Elementary
• Fairfield Primary
• District Childcare Program
• Lawrence High School
• Lawrence Junior High School

Kennebec Valley Community College is located in Fairfield. It is one of seven colleges in the Maine Community College System. Nearby, in Waterville, are two four-year colleges: Colby College and Thomas College.

Notable people

Some famous people have come from Fairfield:

• Ethel Atwood: A musician who started orchestras.
• Charles A. Coffin: He helped start and was the first president of the General Electric company.
• Frank Bunker Gilbreth Sr.: A pioneer in studying how people work more efficiently. He was also the subject of the book Cheaper by the Dozen.

Images for kids

• 

  The Gerald Hotel in 1905

• 

  Dam at Shawmut in 1908

• 

  Woolen mill in 1905

See also

In Spanish: Fairfield (Maine) para niños