West Paris, Maine facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
West Paris, Maine
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Snow Falls on the Little Androscoggin River
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| Etymology: Prefixed with a cardinal direction derived from the neighboring Paris, Maine, a name of which is believed to be borrowed from Paris, France | |
 West Paris, Maine
Location in Maine
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| Country | United States |
| State | Maine |
| County | Oxford |
| Incorporated | 1957 |
| Founded by | N/A (Seceded from town of Paris, Maine) |
| Government | |
| • Type | Board of selectmen |
| Area | |
| • Total | 24.40 sq mi (63.2 km2) |
| • Land | 24.24 sq mi (62.8 km2) |
| • Water | 0.16 sq mi (0.4 km2) 0.66% |
| Elevation | 571 ft (174 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,766 |
| • Density | 72.38/sq mi (27.945/km2) |
| Demonym(s) | West Parisian |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern Standard Time) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (Eastern Daylight Time) |
| ZIP code |
04289
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| Area code(s) | 207 |
| ISO 3166 code | 3166-2:US |
| FIPS code | 23-83890 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0582809 |
| School district | Maine School Administrative District 17 |
| School(s) | Agnes Gray Elementary School |
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Last Updated on December 31, 2022
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West Paris is a small town in Oxford County, Maine, United States. It was first settled in 1771. People thought the land was great for raising animals, growing hay, and planting fruit trees.
West Paris became a popular place for Finnish immigrants in the 1800s. Many people living there today are descendants of these early Finnish settlers. West Paris used to be part of the nearby town of Paris, Maine. It officially became its own town in September 1957. In 2020, about 1,766 people lived in West Paris.
Contents
History of West Paris
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West Paris started as part of Paris, Maine. In 1771, the Massachusetts General Court gave this land to Captain Joshua Fuller and 64 soldiers. This was payment for their service to the colony.
The first settlers arrived in 1779. They found the land excellent for grazing animals, growing hay crops, and planting large, productive orchards. Mills were built along the Little Androscoggin River.
Local Businesses and Industry
The Paris Manufacturing Company began in 1861 in West Sumner. Henry Franklin Morton started it. This company grew to be a very important manufacturer. They built a factory near the Grand Trunk Railway depot in West Paris.
The factory made many different products. These included sleds, skis, wagons, step ladders, and wheelbarrows. They also made ironing boards and children's rolltop desks.
Town Planning and Separation
On November 4, 1773, the original landowners planned the township. They met in Watertown, Massachusetts. They decided to set aside two rods of land on the east side of every property line. This was to make sure there were always ways to access land. It helped prevent land from being completely surrounded by other properties. This plan helped both Paris and West Paris.
In September 1957, West Paris officially separated from Paris. It became its own incorporated town.
Geography and Nature
West Paris covers about 24.40 square miles (63.20 square kilometers) in total. Most of this area, about 24.24 square miles (62.78 square kilometers), is land. Only a small part, about 0.16 square miles (0.41 square kilometers), is water. The Little Androscoggin River flows through parts of West Paris.
Snow Falls
West Paris is famous for Snow Falls. This is a beautiful 40-foot waterfall. The water drops into a deep gorge carved by the Little Androscoggin River. It's a popular spot to visit.
Roads and Climate
State routes 26 and 219 pass through the town.
The weather in West Paris changes a lot with the seasons. Summers are warm to hot, and sometimes humid. Winters are cold, and can be very cold. This type of weather is called a humid continental climate.
Population and People
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| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1960 | 1,050 | — | |
| 1970 | 1,171 | 11.5% | |
| 1980 | 1,390 | 18.7% | |
| 1990 | 1,514 | 8.9% | |
| 2000 | 1,722 | 13.7% | |
| 2010 | 1,812 | 5.2% | |
| 2020 | 1,766 | −2.5% | |
| United States Decennial Census | |||
Recent Population Data
According to the 2020 United States census, West Paris had 1,766 people. The average age of residents was about 44.4 years old.
Population in 2010
In 2010, there were 1,812 people living in West Paris. There were 700 households and 478 families. About 34.4% of households had children under 18. Many households, 49.0%, were married couples.
The town's population was mostly White (97.4%). A small number of people were African American, Native American, or Asian. About 1.8% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
The average age in town was 41.6 years. About 23.3% of residents were under 18. About 18.6% were 65 or older. The population was almost evenly split between males (49.4%) and females (50.6%).
Famous People from West Paris
- Joe Perham, a well-known comedian and humorist.
- DeForest H. Perkins, an educator and political activist.
- Francis Slattery, a commander in the United States Navy.
See also
In Spanish: West Paris (Maine) para niños
