kids encyclopedia robot

Limestone, Maine facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Limestone, Maine
Double Rainbow over Limestone Maine August 2011.jpg
Motto(s): 
"Experience our quality of life"
Location of Limestone, Maine
Location of Limestone, Maine
Country United States
State Maine
County Aroostook
Village Limestone
Area
 • Total 40.79 sq mi (105.65 km2)
 • Land 40.49 sq mi (104.87 km2)
 • Water 0.30 sq mi (0.78 km2)
Elevation
521 ft (159 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 1,526
 • Density 38/sq mi (14.6/km2)
Time zone Eastern (EST)
ZIP code
04750
Area code(s) 207
GNIS feature ID Eastern (EST)

Limestone is a town in Aroostook County, Maine, United States. The population was 1,526 at the 2020 census.

The town is best known for being the home of the Loring Commerce Centre (formerly Loring Air Force Base; also lying on its former territory is the Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge) and Maine School of Science and Mathematics (MSSM), which in 2019 ranked #2 in the United States by the US News and World Report.

The population center of the town is in Limestone (CDP), in the east-central part of the town.

History

Limestone was incorporated as a town on March 17, 1869, and was named for regional limestone deposits.

General Mark Trafton

General Mark Trafton is known as one of the founders of the town of Limestone. Trafton was born July 4, 1785, in York County, Maine. He was educated in public schools and became a leading citizen in Bangor, prominent in civil and military affairs. When a young man, he was commissioned captain of cavalry and served in the War of 1812. He was afterward brigadier-general of the state militia. He was a land agent for the eastern and northern sections of Maine before the office was opened in Bangor.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 40.79 square miles (105.65 km2), of which 40.49 square miles (104.87 km2) is land and 0.30 square miles (0.78 km2) is water.

Climate

This climatic region is typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Limestone has a humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfb" on climate maps.

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1860 161
1870 263 63.4%
1880 655 149.0%
1890 933 42.4%
1900 1,131 21.2%
1910 1,293 14.3%
1920 1,506 16.5%
1930 1,953 29.7%
1940 1,855 −5.0%
1950 2,427 30.8%
1960 13,102 439.8%
1970 8,745 −33.3%
1980 8,719 −0.3%
1990 9,922 13.8%
2000 2,361 −76.2%
2010 2,314 −2.0%
2020 1,526 −34.1%
U.S. Decennial Census

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 2,314 people, 809 households, and 489 families living in the town. The population density was 57.1 inhabitants per square mile (22.0/km2). There were 1,011 housing units at an average density of 25.0 per square mile (9.7/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 89.2% White, 7.0% African American, 1.3% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 0.4% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.8% of the population.

There were 809 households, of which 24.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.5% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 39.6% were non-families. 32.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.74.

The median age in the town was 34.7 years. 22% of residents were under the age of 18; 20.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 18.3% were from 25 to 44; 24.6% were from 45 to 64; and 15.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 53.5% male and 46.5% female.

Arts and Culture

Loring is home to the Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge.

Economy

Military

Limestone was home to the former Loring Air Force Base. The base closed in 1994, after which it became known as the site of three large festivals by the Vermont jam band Phish. Tens of thousands of Phish fans poured into the site to temporarily make Limestone the most populous town in Maine during individual weekends of the summers of 1997 (The Great Went), 1998 (Lemonwheel) and 2003 (It).

It is now the Loring Commerce Centre, one of Maine's largest industrial parks.

Education

The town is also home to the Maine School of Science and Mathematics, a residential magnet high school specializing in math and science education, once ranked #2 in the United States. Limestone is also home to the Loring Job Corps Center, located on part of the old Loring Air Force Base.

Notable people

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Limestone (Maine) para niños

kids search engine
Limestone, Maine Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.