Islesboro, Maine facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Islesboro
|
|
|---|---|
Pendleton Point
|
|
Location of Islesboro (in yellow) in Waldo County, and Waldo County (red) in the state of Maine
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | Maine |
| County | Waldo |
| Incorporated | 1789 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 68.88 sq mi (178.40 km2) |
| • Land | 14.29 sq mi (37.01 km2) |
| • Water | 54.59 sq mi (141.39 km2) |
| Elevation | 30 ft (9 m) |
| Population
(2020)
|
|
| • Total | 583 |
| • Density | 41/sq mi (15.8/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| ZIP Code |
04848
|
| Area code(s) | 207 |
| FIPS code | 23-35240 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0582531 |
| Website | www.townofislesboro.com |
Islesboro is a small town in Waldo County, Maine, USA. It includes Islesboro Island and several smaller islands. In 2020, 583 people lived there. It's a popular place for summer vacations. You can get there by ferry from Lincolnville Beach, by private boat, or by air taxi. Warren Island State Park is also located here. The town includes a village called Dark Harbor.
Contents
History of Islesboro
The Penobscot people called this island Pitaubegwimenahanuk. This means "the island that lies between two channels." An explorer named André Thevet recorded its name as Aiayascon in 1556. The island was first settled by Europeans in 1769. It was known as Long Island Plantation back then.
On January 28, 1789, it officially became a town called Islesborough. Over time, the spelling changed to Islesboro. In the 1800s, Islesboro had many harbors and coves. This made it a great place for ships. It had the largest commercial shipping fleet in the bay.
After the Civil War, Islesboro became a popular vacation spot. Many large and fancy summer homes were built. People with big yachts would sail and race them in the Gulf of Maine. Today, Islesboro is still a favorite summer place for many families.
Geography of Islesboro
Islands and Villages in Islesboro
Islesboro is located in upper Penobscot Bay. The main island is long and narrow, stretching about 14 miles from north to south. It separates East and West Penobscot Bay.
Besides the main Islesboro Island, there are smaller islands nearby. These include Job Island, Seven Hundred Acre Island, and Warren Island. Other small islands are Seal Island, Ram Island, and Thrumcap.
The main island has two wider parts. These are connected by a narrow strip of land called The Narrows. Different neighborhoods and villages are found in these areas:
- Up Island: This is the northern part of the island.
- Pripet: Also known as Warren's Landing, this was a historic site for a kiln and steamboat dock.
- North Islesboro: An old village that still has a general store.
- Ryder's Cove: A historic summer vacation spot and steamboat stop.
- Down Island: This is the southern part of the island.
- Islesboro Village: Also called Guinea Village, it's near Islesboro Harbor.
- Hewes Point: A historic summer vacation spot and steamboat stop.
- Town Center: Where you'll find town offices, the community center, and the post office.
- Grindle Point: This is where the ferry lands today. It also has a historic lighthouse.
- Dark Harbor: A historic summer vacation spot and steamboat stop.
Size and Natural Features
The town of Islesboro covers about 68.88 square miles (178.40 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 54.59 square miles (141.39 square kilometers), is water. The land area is about 14.29 square miles (37.01 square kilometers).
There is one large pond on the northern part of the island called Meadow Pond. Beavers built a dam there, creating the pond. Long ago, people used to harvest ice from this pond. They would even ship the ice to places as far away as India! Hewes Point was named after Paola Hewes, one of the first settlers.
Climate in Islesboro
Islesboro has a humid continental climate. This means it has big changes in temperature throughout the year. Summers are warm to hot and often humid. Winters are cold, and sometimes very cold.
Population of Islesboro
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1830 | 674 | — | |
| 1840 | 777 | 15.3% | |
| 1850 | 984 | 26.6% | |
| 1860 | 1,276 | 29.7% | |
| 1870 | 1,230 | −3.6% | |
| 1880 | 1,208 | −1.8% | |
| 1890 | 1,006 | −16.7% | |
| 1900 | 923 | −8.3% | |
| 1910 | 877 | −5.0% | |
| 1920 | 637 | −27.4% | |
| 1930 | 697 | 9.4% | |
| 1940 | 718 | 3.0% | |
| 1950 | 529 | −26.3% | |
| 1960 | 444 | −16.1% | |
| 1970 | 421 | −5.2% | |
| 1980 | 521 | 23.8% | |
| 1990 | 579 | 11.1% | |
| 2000 | 603 | 4.1% | |
| 2010 | 566 | −6.1% | |
| 2020 | 583 | 3.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
2010 Census Information
In 2010, the census counted 566 people living in Islesboro. There were 270 households and 161 families. The population density was about 39.6 people per square mile. Most of the people living there were White (97.9%).
About 20.7% of households had children under 18. Many households (46.7%) were married couples. The average household had 2.07 people. The average family had 2.57 people.
The average age in town was 52.1 years old. About 17.3% of residents were under 18. About 24.4% were 65 years or older. There were slightly more females (51.8%) than males (48.2%).
Education in Islesboro
Islesboro Central School is special because it teaches all grades, from kindergarten to 12th grade. It is one of only four island schools in Maine that do this. The other schools are on North Haven, Vinalhaven, and Mount Desert Island.
What makes Islesboro Central School even more unique is that students from the mainland can pay to attend. These "magnet" students, and some teachers, take the ferry to the island each morning. A school bus then picks them up and takes them to school. Students come from many towns along the midcoast of Maine. The school usually has around 100 students in total.
The school's sports teams are part of the Busline League for middle school. They are in Class D, South, for the Maine Principals' Association. Students can play sports like cross country running, sailing, soccer, basketball, and Ultimate Frisbee.
Notable People from Islesboro
Many interesting people have connections to Islesboro:
- Winthrop Aldrich, a banker and US Ambassador
- Kirstie Alley, an actress
- John Judson Ames, who started the first newspaper in San Diego, California
- Honor Blackman, an actress
- C. Douglas Dillon, a diplomat and politician
- Joan Dillon, an American-born duchess and princess
- Ruth Draper, a dramatist
- Charles Dana Gibson, an illustrator
- Isabel Gillies, an actress and author
- Ved Mehta, an author
- Sister Parish, an interior decorator
- Kelly Preston, an actress
- George Stevens Jr., a film director
- John Train, an investment advisor and author
- John Travolta, an actor
- Lily Tuck, a writer
See also
In Spanish: Islesboro para niños
