Lovell, Maine facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lovell, Maine
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Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library
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 Lovell, Maine
Location in Maine
Lovell, Maine
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Maine |
| County | Oxford |
| Incorporated | 1800 |
| Named for | Captain John Lovewell |
| Area | |
| • Total | 47.89 sq mi (124.03 km2) |
| • Land | 43.15 sq mi (111.76 km2) |
| • Water | 4.74 sq mi (12.28 km2) |
| Elevation | 463 ft (141 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,104 |
| • Density | 26/sq mi (9.9/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP Codes |
04051 (Lovell)
04016 (Center Lovell) |
| Area code(s) | 207 |
| FIPS code | 23-41365 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0582568 |
Lovell is a small town located in Oxford County, Maine, in the United States. In 2020, about 1,104 people lived there. It's famous for Kezar Lake, a popular spot for vacations and outdoor fun.
Contents
A Look Back at Lovell's History
In 1774, the government of Massachusetts gave land to soldiers. These soldiers had fought in a war in 1725 against the Abenaki Native Americans. The area was first settled in 1777. By 1790, about 85 people lived there.
On November 15, 1800, this community became an official town. It was named Lovell after Captain John Lovewell, who led the soldiers in that earlier war.
Early Industries and Growth
The Kezar River was very important for early industries. Its water power helped run mills. In the 1800s, these mills made many things. They produced wooden spools, lumber, and handles for axes. They also made parts for carriages and sleighs.
Farms in Lovell also did well because of the good soil. After the Civil War, a railroad came to a nearby town. This made it easier for tourists to visit Lovell. People discovered the beautiful Kezar Lake. Soon, hotels and inns opened. Today, Lovell is still a popular place for summer vacations.
The Giant American Chestnut Tree
In 2015, something amazing was found in a forest in Lovell. It was an American Chestnut tree, estimated to be 100 years old. This tree was huge, standing 117 feet tall. It is believed to be the largest American Chestnut tree in the entire United States.
Geography and Natural Beauty
Lovell covers about 47.89 square miles (124.03 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 43.15 square miles (111.76 square kilometers), is land. The rest, about 4.74 square miles (12.28 square kilometers), is water.
The Kezar River flows through Lovell. It eventually joins the Saco River. Kezar Lake is a very important and large lake within the town.
Lovell is connected by State Route 5. It shares borders with several other towns. These include Stoneham to the north and Fryeburg to the southwest.
Kezar Lake
| Kezar Lake | |
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Pier and beach at Farrington's Hotel in c. 1920
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Kezar Lake
Location in Maine
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| Location | Oxford County, Maine |
| Coordinates | 44°11′N 70°54′W / 44.183°N 70.900°W |
| Primary inflows | Great Brook Mill Brook |
| Primary outflows | Kezar Outlet |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 7 mi (11 km) |
| Max. width | 1 mi (1.6 km) |
| Surface area | 2,665 acres (1,078 ha) |
| Max. depth | 155 feet (47 m) |
| Water volume | 87,835 acre⋅ft (108,343,000 m3) |
| Surface elevation | 377 ft (115 m) |
Kezar Lake is a great place for fishing. You can find many types of fish here. These include smallmouth bass, white perch, and lake trout.
There are two public places to launch boats. One is at the northern end of the lake in North Lovell. The other is south of Center Lovell.
Lovell's Climate
Lovell has a climate with big temperature changes during the year. Summers are warm to hot, and often humid. Winters are cold, sometimes very cold. This type of weather is called a humid continental climate.
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1810 | 365 | — | |
| 1820 | 430 | 17.8% | |
| 1830 | 697 | 62.1% | |
| 1840 | 941 | 35.0% | |
| 1850 | 1,193 | 26.8% | |
| 1860 | 1,339 | 12.2% | |
| 1870 | 1,018 | −24.0% | |
| 1880 | 1,077 | 5.8% | |
| 1890 | 853 | −20.8% | |
| 1900 | 693 | −18.8% | |
| 1910 | 668 | −3.6% | |
| 1920 | 575 | −13.9% | |
| 1930 | 645 | 12.2% | |
| 1940 | 647 | 0.3% | |
| 1950 | 640 | −1.1% | |
| 1960 | 588 | −8.1% | |
| 1970 | 607 | 3.2% | |
| 1980 | 767 | 26.4% | |
| 1990 | 888 | 15.8% | |
| 2000 | 974 | 9.7% | |
| 2010 | 1,140 | 17.0% | |
| 2020 | 1,104 | −3.2% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2010, about 1,140 people lived in Lovell. There were 477 households, which are groups of people living together. Most people in Lovell are White.
About 28% of households had children under 18. Most households (nearly 60%) were married couples living together. The average age of people in Lovell was about 49.8 years old.
Town Libraries
Lovell, Maine, has two libraries that are supported by public funds. These are the Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library and the Lewis Dana Hill Memorial Library.
Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library
The Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library first opened in 1908. It was originally called the Lovell Public Library. In 1969, it was renamed to honor Charlotte Hobbs after she passed away.
The Women's Library Club of Lovell started in 1899. They wanted to create a public library for the town. Charlotte Hobbs was born in Lovell in 1879. She loved her town and wanted to help create a public library. She was the town historian and worked as the librarian for over 50 years.
Charlotte Hobbs helped raise money for the library by putting on plays. These plays helped buy the land and build the library. The library building was finished in 1908. In 1976, they started an Arts & Artisan Fair to raise money, which still happens every year.
In 2010, the library reopened after big renovations and expansions. The famous author Stephen King even helped raise funds for this project. Today, the Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library has over 16,000 books. It is open six days a week all year long.
Lewis Dana Hill Memorial Library
The Lewis Dana Hill Memorial Library is a smaller library. It is located in an old one-room schoolhouse in North Lovell.
This library first opened in 1945. It was a popular spot for people who came to the lake for the summer. In 1966, the library moved into the old schoolhouse.
The library was renamed after Lewis Dana Hill. He was a summer resident of Lovell for over 50 years. He loved visiting the library during his summers.
This library is funded by public money and fundraisers. They have an annual Fourth of July Book and Yard Sale. They also host community breakfasts and author talks.
The Lewis Dana Hill Memorial Library still works much like it did when it opened. You don't need a library card to borrow materials. They use old-fashioned card catalogs to keep track of books. The library has a special children's section with low shelves. The only modern update is WiFi, which was added because residents asked for it. The library has over 9,000 books. It is open two days a week in the off-season. During the summer, when more people are in town, it opens three days a week with longer hours.
Places to Visit
- The Brick Church for the Performing Arts
- Lovell Historical Society & Museum
- Sucker Brook Preserve
Famous People from Lovell
- Abraham D. Andrews, a politician and doctor
- Abraham A. Barker, a US congressman
- Marsden Hartley, a painter, poet, and writer
- Eastman Johnson, an artist
- Moses Kilgore (1817–1890), a Wisconsin politician and businessman
- Charles H. Kimball, an architect
- Stephen King, a famous writer
- Marcellus Stearns, the 11th governor of Florida (buried in Center Lovell Cemetery)
- Rudy Vallee, a singer
See also
In Spanish: Lovell (Maine) para niños
