Mount Chase, Maine facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mount Chase, Maine
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 Mount Chase, Maine
Location in Maine
Mount Chase, Maine
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Maine |
| County | Penobscot |
| Area | |
| • Total | 37.73 sq mi (97.72 km2) |
| • Land | 36.65 sq mi (94.92 km2) |
| • Water | 1.08 sq mi (2.80 km2) |
| Elevation | 886 ft (270 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 187 |
| • Density | 5/sq mi (2.0/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
04765
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| Area code(s) | 207 |
| FIPS code | 23-47560 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0582610 |
Mount Chase is a small town located in Penobscot County, Maine, in the United States. In 2020, about 187 people lived there. It is known for its beautiful forests and clear lakes. The town is also close to Baxter State Park, a large wilderness area. From many spots in Mount Chase, you can see Mount Katahdin, Maine's highest mountain.
Contents
Geography of Mount Chase
Mount Chase covers an area of about 37.73 square miles (97.72 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part made up of water, like lakes and streams. The town is very forested and has many pretty lakes.
It is located about 10 miles from the town of Patten. It is also about 15 miles from the north entrance of Baxter State Park.
Mount Chase Peak
Mount Chase is also the name of a mountain peak in the area. This peak was formed by a volcano and stands about 2,440 feet tall.
Upper Shin Pond
Upper Shin Pond is a large lake in Mount Chase. It covers 544 acres and is up to 64 feet deep.
Lower Shin Pond
Lower Shin Pond is another big lake, covering 560 acres. It is not as deep as Upper Shin Pond, with a maximum depth of 25 feet.
History of Mount Chase
The land around Mt. Katahdin has been used by the Penobscot and Maliseet tribes for thousands of years. Many local names for mountains and rivers come from their languages.
The town of Mount Chase got its name from the mountain peak. The first people to live there permanently arrived in 1838. By 1860, about 250 people lived in the area. In 1862, it became known as the Mount Chase Plantation. On March 2, 1864, it officially became the town of Mount Chase. The population grew to 310 by 1880.
After the American Civil War, railroads were built further into Maine. This made it easier for people and goods to travel to and from Mount Chase. In 1882, Mount Chase was on a stagecoach route. This route connected the railroad at Mattawamkeag to Fort Kent in the far north of Maine. This meant people could travel 50 miles by stagecoach to reach Mount Chase. It also helped local businesses ship their products.
Places to Stay and Sporting Camps
Mount Chase has several places where visitors can stay, especially those who enjoy outdoor activities.
Shin Pond House and Village
The Shin Pond House was one of the first hotels in Mount Chase, started in the 1870s. It burned down a few times but was rebuilt. After a fire in 1949, new owners built a new Shin Pond House. In 1979, another fire destroyed the building.
In the early 1980s, Craig and Terry Hill started the Shin Pond Village on the same site. They built a general store, laundry, showers, campsites, and cabins. It became a popular place for recreation.
Point-of-Pines Camps
Point-of-Pines Camps was located on Upper Shin Pond. It was known as a place for outdoor sports.
Mt. Chase Lodge
The Mt. Chase Lodge opened in 1960 on Upper Shin Pond. It is a place for people who enjoy hunting, fishing, and other outdoor sports. Rick and Sara Hill have run the lodge since 1976.
Driftwood Lodge and Camps
The Driftwood Lodge and Camps is on the east side of Upper Shin Pond. It offers guiding services, especially for bear hunters.
Economy and Jobs
In the past, many people in Mount Chase worked for lumber companies because the area has lots of trees. There was even a sawmill in town. However, farming soon became the main job for residents.
Today, running sporting camps and guiding wilderness tours are still important jobs. In recent years, snowmobiling has become a very popular winter sport, bringing more visitors to the area.
According to recent studies, the most common jobs in Mount Chase are in "agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, and mining." "Retail trade" is the next most common industry.
Population Changes
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1870 | 262 | — | |
| 1880 | 310 | 18.3% | |
| 1890 | 284 | −8.4% | |
| 1900 | 299 | 5.3% | |
| 1910 | 227 | −24.1% | |
| 1920 | 239 | 5.3% | |
| 1930 | 210 | −12.1% | |
| 1940 | 198 | −5.7% | |
| 1950 | 250 | 26.3% | |
| 1960 | 179 | −28.4% | |
| 1970 | 197 | 10.1% | |
| 1980 | 233 | 18.3% | |
| 1990 | 254 | 9.0% | |
| 2000 | 247 | −2.8% | |
| 2010 | 201 | −18.6% | |
| 2020 | 187 | −7.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
2010 Census Information
In 2010, there were 201 people living in Mount Chase. There were 94 households and 57 families. Most residents (96%) were White. A small number of people were African American or Asian. The average age of people in Mount Chase was 50.1 years old.
Images for kids
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Mount Chase Town Office
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View of Mt. Chase
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Shin Pond Village
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Upper Shin Pond
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Lower Shin Pond
See also
In Spanish: Mount Chase para niños
