Kingfield, Maine facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kingfield, Maine
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Downtown in 2003
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 Kingfield, Maine
Location in Maine
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| Country | United States |
| State | Maine |
| County | Franklin |
| Incorporated | January 24, 1816 |
| Communities | Kingfield |
| Area | |
| • Total | 43.28 sq mi (112.09 km2) |
| • Land | 43.12 sq mi (111.68 km2) |
| • Water | 0.16 sq mi (0.41 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,030 ft (314 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 960 |
| • Density | 22/sq mi (8.6/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
04947
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| Area code(s) | 207 |
| FIPS code | 23-37025 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0582541 |
Kingfield is a small town located in Franklin County, Maine, United States. In 2020, about 960 people lived there. The main part of the town, also called Kingfield, is a special area known as a census-designated place.
Kingfield is often called the main entrance to Sugarloaf, which is a very popular ski resort. It is also where the Maine Huts and Trails organization has its main office.
Contents
History of Kingfield
The first Europeans to visit Kingfield were John W. Dutton and Nathaniel Kimball in 1805. They came back in 1806 with their families to start a settlement. In 1807, William King bought the land. He later became Maine's first Governor. Kingfield officially became a town on January 24, 1816.
Salomon Stanley was one of the first people to settle in the town. His twin sons, Francis Edgar (F.E.) and Freelan Oscar (F.O.), became very famous. They created the Stanley Dry Plate company, which made photographic plates. This company was later bought by Eastman Kodak in 1903.
The Stanley brothers also invented and built the Stanley Steamer, a car powered by steam, from 1902 to 1924. Their sister, Chansonetta, was a photographer known for her pictures of rural life in the area. The Stanley Museum in Kingfield celebrates the achievements of this amazing family.
In the past, Kingfield was important for both farming and factories. The Carrabassett River provided power for many mills, including sawmills, a flour mill, and a tannery. There was also a narrow-gauge railroad depot, but it stopped running in 1936. Today, all these old mills are closed.
In the early 1950s, people living in Kingfield started to develop Sugarloaf Mountain into a ski resort. Now, Kingfield is mostly known as the main way to get to Sugarloaf. In 2007, Nestlé opened a Poland Spring water bottling plant in Kingfield. The town is also a "Trail Town" for the Appalachian Trail, as it's close to Mount Abraham and the Bigelow Range.
Geography and Climate
Kingfield is located in the valley of the Carrabassett River. The river also drains the town. The town covers about 43.28 square miles (112.09 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water.
Kingfield's Weather
Kingfield has a humid continental climate. This means it has big changes in temperature throughout the year. Summers are warm to hot, and sometimes humid. Winters are cold, and can be very cold.
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1820 | 464 | — | |
| 1830 | 554 | 19.4% | |
| 1840 | 671 | 21.1% | |
| 1850 | 662 | −1.3% | |
| 1860 | 670 | 1.2% | |
| 1870 | 560 | −16.4% | |
| 1880 | 454 | −18.9% | |
| 1890 | 601 | 32.4% | |
| 1900 | 693 | 15.3% | |
| 1910 | 927 | 33.8% | |
| 1920 | 975 | 5.2% | |
| 1930 | 1,024 | 5.0% | |
| 1940 | 860 | −16.0% | |
| 1950 | 963 | 12.0% | |
| 1960 | 864 | −10.3% | |
| 1970 | 877 | 1.5% | |
| 1980 | 1,083 | 23.5% | |
| 1990 | 1,114 | 2.9% | |
| 2000 | 1,103 | −1.0% | |
| 2010 | 997 | −9.6% | |
| 2020 | 960 | −3.7% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2010, there were 997 people living in Kingfield. About 25% of the households had children under 18. The average age of people in Kingfield was 46.3 years old. About half of the population was male and half was female.
Culture and Attractions
- The The Kingfield POPS! is a charitable organization started in 2003 that puts on a popular outdoor concert.
Places to Visit
- The Frank Hutchins House is a historic building listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is now home to the Kingfield Historical Society Museum.
- The Stanley Museum celebrates the famous Stanley family and their inventions, like the Stanley Steamer car.
Education in Kingfield
Kingfield is part of Regional School Unit Number 58 and Maine School Administrative District Number 58. Students in Kingfield attend Kingfield Elementary School, which teaches children from Kindergarten up to grade 8.
Notable People from Kingfield
- Baychar (born 1949), a visual artist.
- Eugene Clark (1850–1932), who was a state senator in Wisconsin.
- Edward L. Dexter (1922–2001), a state legislator in Maine.
- Chansonetta Stanley Emmons, a famous photographer.
- William King, the first governor of Maine.
- Francis E. Stanley, an inventor and businessman.
- Freelan O. Stanley, an inventor and businessman.
See also
In Spanish: Kingfield (Maine) para niños
