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Ogunquit, Maine facts for kids

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Ogunquit, Maine
Town
Ogunquit Public Library
Ogunquit Public Library
Official seal of Ogunquit, Maine
Seal
Ogunquit, Maine is located in Maine
Ogunquit, Maine
Ogunquit, Maine
Location in Maine
Country United States
State Maine
County York
Incorporated 1980
Area
 • Total 15.25 sq mi (39.50 km2)
 • Land 4.18 sq mi (10.83 km2)
 • Water 11.07 sq mi (28.67 km2)
Elevation
141 ft (43 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 1,577
 • Density 377/sq mi (145.6/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP Code
03907
Area code(s) 207
FIPS code 23-54980
GNIS feature ID 0582646

Ogunquit (pronounced oh-GUN-kwit) is a beautiful resort town in York County, Maine, United States. It's famous for its sandy beaches and charming coastal vibe. In 2020, about 1,577 people lived there. Ogunquit is part of the larger Portland area.

History of Ogunquit

Ogunquit began as a small village within the town of Wells, which was settled in 1641. Early on, people built the first sawmill in 1686. Shipbuilding also became important along the Ogunquit River. Local shipbuilders created different types of boats like schooners, brigs, and dories.

How Perkins Cove Was Formed

Near a river called the Josias, there was a place called Fish Cove. Fishermen worked here, but the cove wasn't safe from big Atlantic storms. They had to pull their boats out of the water every night to protect them. To solve this, the fishermen formed a group and dug a channel to connect Fish Cove to the Josias River. Over time, this channel grew wider, creating a safe harbor called Perkins Cove. Today, a special footbridge that can be opened by hand crosses the cove.

Ogunquit Becomes an Art Colony

Ogunquit has a long, pale sand beach and dunes that form a natural barrier. In 1888, a bridge connected this beach area to the mainland. Soon, artists discovered the village and its beautiful scenery. It quickly became a popular art colony and a favorite spot for tourists. After 1898, when the Ogunquit Art Colony was officially started, it was common to see both artists painting and fishermen working around Perkins Cove. Many hotels and inns were built to welcome the summer visitors.

Marginal Way and Town Incorporation

The Marginal Way is a famous scenic trail that started in the 1920s. It runs along the coast from Perkins Cove to Ogunquit Beach, offering amazing views. Ogunquit officially separated from Wells in 1980 and became its own town. In 2016, USA Today named Ogunquit America's Best Coastal Small Town. In 2023, Tripadvisor also ranked Ogunquit Beach as one of the top 10 beaches in the United States.

Education in Ogunquit

The Wells-Ogunquit Community School District provides education for students of all ages. This district serves both the towns of Wells and Ogunquit in southern Maine.

Geography of Ogunquit

Ogunquit covers about 15.25 square miles (39.50 square kilometers). Most of this area is water, with about 4.18 square miles (10.83 square kilometers) being land. The town is drained by the Josias and Ogunquit Rivers. The highest point in Ogunquit is about 160 feet (49 meters) above sea level. The lowest point is at sea level, along the Atlantic Ocean.

Soils and Climate

The soil in Ogunquit is mostly stony or sandy, formed from glacial till. These soils are known as Lyman or Adams/Croghan series. Ogunquit has a humid continental climate. This means it has big differences in temperature throughout the year, with warm to hot summers and cold winters.

The Marginal Way

Ogunquit's Marginal Way is a 1.25-mile (2-kilometer) paved path with stunning views of the coast. Some parts of the path along the cliffs have fences to keep people safe. The path connects the main shopping area of downtown to the fishing village in Perkins Cove. Perkins Cove is now a fun outdoor area with shops selling jewelry, clothes, and other unique items.

Population of Ogunquit

The population of Ogunquit changes throughout the year, with more people visiting in the summer.

  • 1970: 944
  • 1980: 1,492
  • 1990: 974
  • 2000: 1,226
  • 2010: 892
  • 2020: 1,577

Cultural Sites and Museums

Ogunquit has several interesting places to visit:

  • Barn Gallery | Ogunquit Art Association (started 1928)
  • Historical Society of Wells and Ogunquit (started 1862) (located in Wells)
  • Ogunquit Museum of American Art
  • Ogunquit Playhouse
  • Captain James Winn House (built around 1785)
  • Ogunquit Memorial Library

Notable People

Many interesting people have lived in or been connected to Ogunquit:

  • Clarence H. Adams, a commissioner for the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and former President of the Boston Celtics.
  • Marjorie Agosín, an award-winning poet, writer, and professor.
  • Edward H. and Gladys G. Aschermann, designers from the early 1900s.
  • John Kendrick Bangs, an author.
  • Bobby Coombs, a Major League Baseball pitcher.
  • Joseph B. Davol, a marine painter and art teacher.
  • Nathan Haskell Dole, an author.
  • Totie Fields, an actress and comedian.
  • Arnie Ginsburg, a radio personality.
  • Peter George Olenchuk, a U.S. Army Major General.
  • J. Scott Smart, a radio, film, and stage actor.
  • Sally Struthers, an actress.
  • Craig Timberlake, a stage actor, singer, author, and educator.
  • John Grimes Walker, an admiral in the United States Navy.
  • Charles Herbert Woodbury, an artist.
  • Channing Hare, a painter.
  • Mountfort Coolidge, a painter and antiquarian.

Trivia

  • Ogunquit Beach is also the name of a place on Mars! Scientists believe it was once underwater or on the shore of an ancient lake.
  • Part of Stephen King's famous book The Stand, published in 1978, is set in Ogunquit. The first episode of the 2020 TV show based on the book also takes place in the town, even though it was filmed in Vancouver.

Images for kids

  • Bathing Scene, Ogunquit, ME

    Ogunquit Beach around 1910

  • Perkins Cove & Marginal Way

    Perkins Cove from Marginal Way around 1920

  • The Cliff House, Ogunquit, ME

    The Cliff House around 1920

  • Perkins Cove Road, Ogunquit, ME

    Perkins Cove Road around 1920

  • Ogunquit-river-high-tide (august 2006)

    Ogunquit River at high tide in August 2006.

  • Ogunquit-river-low-tide (august 2006)

    Ogunquit River at low tide the same month. Ogunquit's beach nearly disappears at high tide.

  • OgunquitBeachPanL

    The Ogunquit River flows into the Gulf of Maine.

  • Surf at Ogunquit, Maine

    Surf at Ogunquit, Maine by Edward A. Page (around 1911)

  • Marginal Way Beach 1

    The beach along the Marginal Way, 2008

  • Marginal way-1

    The Marginal Way near the Beachmere Hotel, 2008

  • Ada crouching by small Lobster Point Lighthouse

    Lobster Point Lighthouse found along Marginal Way

  • Perkins Cove 15

    The bridge at Perkins Cove, 2008

  • Perkins Cove 2

    View from the Bridge at Perkins Cove, 2007

  • Perkins Cove 7

    The beach at Perkins Cove looking toward the Marginal Way, 2008

  • Main rock formation overlooking Ogunquit Beach from the Marginal Way IMG 8974 FRD

    Rock formation at Marginal Way

  • Ogunquit public beach 1

    Ogunquit Beach, 2008

  • Two kites tied to beach volleyball poles at Ogunquit Beach in September IMG 1911 FRD

    Kites flown at Ogunquit Beach

  • North Beach Ogunquit IMG 2232 FRD

    North Beach

  • Moody Beach Ogunquit IMG 2227 FRD

    Moody Beach

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Ogunquit para niños

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