Fort Fairfield, Maine facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Fort Fairfield, Maine
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Potato field in Fort Fairfield
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| Motto(s):
"Friendship-Love-Truth"
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Location of Fort Fairfield, Maine
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| Country | United States |
| State | Maine |
| County | Aroostook |
| Villages | Fort Fairfield Maple Grove Stevensville |
| Area | |
| • Total | 78.36 sq mi (202.95 km2) |
| • Land | 76.67 sq mi (198.57 km2) |
| • Water | 1.69 sq mi (4.38 km2) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 3,322 |
| • Density | 43/sq mi (16.7/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP Code |
04742
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Fort Fairfield is a town in eastern Maine, USA. It's located right on the border with Canada. In 2020, about 3,322 people lived there. It's known for its beautiful potato fields and friendly community.
Contents
History of Fort Fairfield
Fort Fairfield got its name from John Fairfield. He was an important person who served as the governor of Maine two different times.
Geography and Location
Fort Fairfield covers an area of about 78 square miles (203 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, but about 1.7 square miles (4.4 square kilometers) is water.
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1840 | 26 | — | |
| 1860 | 901 | — | |
| 1870 | 1,893 | 110.1% | |
| 1880 | 2,807 | 48.3% | |
| 1890 | 3,526 | 25.6% | |
| 1900 | 4,181 | 18.6% | |
| 1910 | 4,381 | 4.8% | |
| 1920 | 4,551 | 3.9% | |
| 1930 | 5,393 | 18.5% | |
| 1940 | 5,607 | 4.0% | |
| 1950 | 5,791 | 3.3% | |
| 1960 | 5,876 | 1.5% | |
| 1970 | 4,859 | −17.3% | |
| 1980 | 4,376 | −9.9% | |
| 1990 | 3,998 | −8.6% | |
| 2000 | 3,579 | −10.5% | |
| 2010 | 3,496 | −2.3% | |
| 2020 | 3,322 | −5.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2010, there were about 3,496 people living in Fort Fairfield. Most people were White (96.5%). A small number of people were African American, Native American, or Asian. About 1.3% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
The average age of people in town was about 43.8 years old. About 22.5% of the residents were under 18 years old.
Local Economy
Farming is very important to Fort Fairfield's economy. Farmers here grow lots of potatoes and broccoli. These crops help support many jobs in the area.
Education in Fort Fairfield
Fort Fairfield is part of Maine School Administrative District #20. The schools are led by Superintendent Timothy Doak.
There are two main schools in the district:
- Fort Fairfield Middle/High School for students in grades 6 to 12.
- Fort Fairfield Elementary School for younger students from pre-kindergarten to grade 5.
Around 2011-2012, about 600 students attended these schools.
Fun Places and Events
Fort Fairfield has some interesting places to visit and fun events:
- Blockhouse Museum: This museum shows items from the Aroostook War. It's a great place to learn about local history.
- Maple Grove Friends Church: Located just south of town, this old church is a historic building. It's believed to have been a stop on the Underground Railroad. This was a secret network that helped people escape slavery to freedom.
- State of Maine Potato Blossom Festival: Every year in July, the town celebrates its potato farming with a big festival. It's a fun event for everyone!
- Public Library: The town has a public library where you can find books and other resources.
- Aroostook River Levee: A large wall, called a levee, helps protect the town from floods when the Aroostook River rises in the spring.
- Aroostook Valley Country Club: This golf course is unique because it sits right on the border between Maine and New Brunswick, Canada! The entrance is in the U.S., but most of the golf course is in Canada. People usually need to follow customs rules to cross the border, even just to play golf.
Famous People from Fort Fairfield
Many notable people have connections to Fort Fairfield, including:
- Dick Curless, a country music singer.
- John H. Reed, who was the 66th governor of Maine.
- Tim Sample, a well-known humorist from New England.
- Stirling Fessenden, an important leader in Shanghai, China, many years ago.
See also
In Spanish: Fort Fairfield (Maine) para niños
