Madrid, Maine facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Madrid, Maine
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Small's Falls c. 1907
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| Country | United States |
| State | Maine |
| County | Franklin |
| Incorporated | 1836 |
| Disincorporated | 2000 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 41.8 sq mi (108.2 km2) |
| • Land | 41.7 sq mi (108.1 km2) |
| • Water | 0.1 sq mi (0.2 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,165 ft (355 m) |
| Population
(2000)
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| • Total | 173 |
| • Density | 4.1/sq mi (1.6/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| Area code(s) | 207 |
| FIPS code | 23-42765 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0582577 |
Madrid is a place in Franklin County, Maine, United States. It used to be a small town, but now it's part of an "unorganized territory." This means it doesn't have its own local government anymore. In 2000, 173 people lived there.
Contents
History of Madrid
Early Settlement and Naming
Around 1790, a large piece of land was bought from Massachusetts. This land included what would become Madrid. People started settling here in 1807 or 1808.
In 1836, the area officially became a town. It was named after Madrid, Spain.
Gold Discovery and Farming
In 1854, something exciting happened in Madrid. It was the site of Maine's very first gold discovery!
Even though the northern part of Madrid was mountainous, other areas were good for farming. In 1837, when 351 people lived there, farms grew a lot of wheat.
Growth of Industry
Madrid had a good location for businesses because of the waterfalls in the Sandy River. These falls provided power for mills.
The town had three sawmills, which cut wood. It also had a gristmill for grinding grain. Other machines made clapboard (a type of siding for houses) and shingles for roofs. Madrid became known for making lumber and carriages. By 1859, the population grew to 404 people, and by 1880, it reached 437.
Becoming an Unorganized Territory
In the late 1900s, things started to change. Industries moved, and many young people left Madrid for bigger cities. Because of this, the population went down.
In April 2000, the town of Madrid decided to stop being an official town. This is called "disincorporating." The local government was dissolved. Madrid then became part of the "unorganized territory" of East Central Franklin.
Geography of Madrid
Madrid covers about 108.2 square kilometers (41.8 square miles). Most of this area is land, with only a small amount of water. The Sandy River starts in Madrid and flows into the Kennebec River.
The northern part of Madrid has many mountains. The famous Appalachian Trail, a long hiking path, goes through the northwest corner of the area.
Maine State Route 4 crosses through Madrid. The former town is next to Phillips to the south. The unorganized territory of East Central Franklin is to the north and east.
Population Information
According to the census from 2000, 173 people lived in Madrid. There were 72 households, and 55 of them were families.
About 23.7% of the people were under 18 years old. About 11.0% were 65 years old or older. The average age in Madrid was 42 years.
Places to Visit
- Madrid Historical Society & Museum - Learn about the history of Madrid.
- Smalls Falls - A beautiful natural waterfall.
- Reeds Mill Church [1] - This is the only church ever built in Madrid, constructed in 1892.
See also
In Spanish: Madrid (Maine) para niños
