St. George, Maine facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
St. George, Maine
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Location in Knox County and the state of Maine
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| Country | United States |
| State | Maine |
| County | Knox |
| Incorporated | February 7, 1803 |
| Villages | St. George Clark Island Glenmere Long Cove Martinsville Port Clyde Spruce Head Tenants Harbor |
| Area | |
| • Total | 117.25 sq mi (303.68 km2) |
| • Land | 25.02 sq mi (64.80 km2) |
| • Water | 92.23 sq mi (238.87 km2) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 2,594 |
| • Density | 104/sq mi (40.0/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP Codes | |
St. George is a small town located in Knox County, Maine, in the United States. It's known for its beautiful coastal areas. The town includes several small communities, like Port Clyde and Tenants Harbor. Tenants Harbor is the main business area.
St. George is a favorite spot for artists, writers, and people who love nature. It's home to the Brothers and Hay Ledge nature preserve, which includes four islands near Port Clyde. In 2020, about 2,594 people lived in St. George.
Contents
History of St. George
The area where St. George is now was once famous for its many ducks, geese, and other waterfowl. Native American groups, especially the Abenaki people, used this area as a very important hunting ground. For a long time, no European settlers lived here because General Samuel Waldo respected the Abenaki's wishes.
Settlement began quickly after the French and Indian Wars ended in 1763. The American Revolutionary War slowed things down a bit, but by the 1780s, many people were moving to the peninsula. In 1789, it became part of a nearby town called Cushing.
On February 7, 1803, the peninsula and its islands officially became their own town, named St. George. The town got its name from the nearby river.
Early Industries and Growth
In the early days, farmers in St. George mostly grew potatoes. After 1830, a new industry started: granite quarrying. Large amounts of granite were dug up and sent all over the country for building projects.
Shipbuilders in St. George were also very busy. They built several ships each year, many of which were used for coastal trade. These ships helped export local products like cordwood, lumber, and fish. Factories in the town also canned lobsters, clams, and sardines.
In the 1880s, people started to notice the town's rugged ocean beauty. Visitors, often artists, began to buy or build summer homes here. They were sometimes called "rusticators."
At the town office, you can see a statue of Saint George, who the town is named after. The statue shows him fighting a legendary dragon.
Geography and Nature
St. George covers about 117 square miles (303 square kilometers). Most of this area is water, with about 25 square miles (64 square kilometers) being land. The town is located on a peninsula, which is a piece of land almost surrounded by water. This peninsula stretches out into the Gulf of Maine.
The Saint George River forms the western border of the town. State Route 131 runs through St. George. To the north, St. George shares a border with the town of South Thomaston.
Two important places in St. George, Allen Island and Mosquito Island House, are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are recognized for their historical importance.
Population Changes
St. George has seen its population change over many years. Here's how the number of people living in the town has changed over time:
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1790 | 578 | — | |
| 1800 | 886 | 53.3% | |
| 1810 | 1,168 | 31.8% | |
| 1820 | 1,325 | 13.4% | |
| 1830 | 1,643 | 24.0% | |
| 1840 | 2,094 | 27.4% | |
| 1850 | 2,217 | 5.9% | |
| 1860 | 2,716 | 22.5% | |
| 1870 | 2,318 | −14.7% | |
| 1880 | 2,875 | 24.0% | |
| 1890 | 2,491 | −13.4% | |
| 1900 | 2,206 | −11.4% | |
| 1910 | 2,201 | −0.2% | |
| 1920 | 1,654 | −24.9% | |
| 1930 | 2,108 | 27.4% | |
| 1940 | 1,550 | −26.5% | |
| 1950 | 1,482 | −4.4% | |
| 1960 | 1,588 | 7.2% | |
| 1970 | 1,639 | 3.2% | |
| 1980 | 1,948 | 18.9% | |
| 1990 | 2,261 | 16.1% | |
| 2000 | 2,580 | 14.1% | |
| 2010 | 2,591 | 0.4% | |
| 2020 | 2,594 | 0.1% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2010, there were 2,591 people living in St. George. The average age of people in the town was about 51.7 years old. About 17.3% of the residents were under 18 years old.
Education in St. George
The first school in St. George opened in the 1780s. By 1792, the town had four school districts. As more people moved to St. George, more schools were built. In the late 1800s, there were as many as 18 to 20 schools!
However, as the population decreased, many of these schools combined. By the 1950s, only four schools were left: St. George, Clark's Island, Port Clyde, and Tenants Harbor. In 1957, the St. George, Clark's Island, and Port Clyde schools closed. Since then, all students in St. George have attended the 'St. George School' in Tenants Harbor.
St. George School is a public school for students from kindergarten through 8th grade. It is run by the St. George Municipal School Unit and has about 180 students.
High School Education
St. George High School first opened in 1894. Its own building was built in 1900, and the first class graduated in 1901. This high school also closed because the population went down, with its last class graduating in 1962.
After 1962, high school students from St. George went to Georges Valley High School in Thomaston. The old high school building was used as an elementary school for a while. Later, it was torn down and replaced by the current town office and fire station.
Today, students in grades 9-12 from St. George can choose to attend one of five different high schools:
- Camden Hills Regional High School
- Lincoln Academy
- Medomak Valley High School
- Oceanside High School
- Watershed School
Places of Worship
- First Baptist Church of St. George Maine
Notable People from St. George
Many interesting people have connections to St. George:
- Linda Bean: A businessperson and granddaughter of Leon Leonwood Bean, who founded the famous L.L.Bean company.
- Albert S. Bickmore: A naturalist who helped start the American Museum of Natural History.
- Richard Falley Jr. (1740–1808): An important figure during the American Revolutionary War, he was an ensign at the Battle of Bunker Hill.
- Ann Matlack: An American politician.
- John G. Roberts: The current Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court. He used to own a vacation home on Hupper Island near Port Clyde.
- Charles Wilbert Snow: The 60th governor of Connecticut. He was born on White Head Island.
- Andrew Wyeth: One of the most famous American artists of the mid-20th century. He owned Southern Island and Tenants Harbor Light.
- Jamie Wyeth: A modern American realist painter, and Andrew Wyeth's son. He now owns Southern Island and Tenants Harbor Light, which his father sold to him.
Sites of Interest
If you visit St. George, here are some interesting places to see:
- Marshall Point Light[Usurped!]
- Marshall Point Lighthouse Museum – St. George Historical Society
- Tenants Harbor Light
- Whitehead Light[Usurped!]
Images for kids
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A friendly robot
In Spanish: St. George (Maine) para niños
