Wilton, Maine facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Wilton, Maine
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| Motto(s):
A great place to live, work & play
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 Wilton, Maine
Location in Maine
Wilton, Maine
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Maine |
| County | Franklin |
| Incorporated | 1803 |
| Villages | Wilton Dryden East Dixfield (part) East Wilton Wilton Intervale |
| Area | |
| • Total | 42.82 sq mi (110.90 km2) |
| • Land | 41.26 sq mi (106.86 km2) |
| • Water | 1.56 sq mi (4.04 km2) |
| Elevation | 425 ft (130 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 3,835 |
| • Density | 93/sq mi (35.9/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP Codes |
04294 (Wilton)
04234 (East Wilton) 04225 (Dryden) |
| Area code(s) | 207 |
Wilton is a small town located in Franklin County, Maine, United States. In 2020, about 3,835 people lived there.
Wilton is known for its beautiful location next to Wilson Pond. It used to be a town focused on factories, but now it's a popular spot for outdoor fun and relaxation.
Contents
History of Wilton, Maine
Early Beginnings and Naming
The land where Wilton now stands was first given to soldiers who fought in the French and Indian Wars back in 1727. However, this land grant was later found to be invalid.
The area was originally called Harrytown, then Tyngstown. In 1803, a settler named Abraham Butterfield paid for the town to become official. He asked for it to be named after his old home, Wilton, New Hampshire.
Wilton's Industrial Past
Wilton became famous for being the home of Maine's very first cotton mill. Solomon Adams started this mill in 1810.
Later, in 1876, George Henry Bass started his shoe company, G.H. Bass & Co.. This company became a huge part of Wilton's history. Bass shoes were made only in Wilton for over 100 years. Famous people like Charles Lindbergh and Admiral Byrd wore them on their adventures.
The Bass family sold the company, and in 1998, the company moved its operations overseas.
The Famous Bass Penny Weejun
John Russell Bass, George H. Bass's son, helped run the company. The company became very successful with its "Bass penny weejun" shoe. This shoe was first made in 1936.
It was inspired by shoes worn by Norwegian fishermen. The penny weejun quickly became very popular, especially on college campuses. Even though the shoe is no longer made in Wilton, it's still a well-known style.
Other Industries and Notable Buildings
Wilton was also home to the first toothpick manufacturing mill. Charles Forster started making toothpicks there in 1881.
Several historic buildings in Wilton are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These include the Goodspeed Memorial Library and the Bass Boarding House.
Architectural Connections
The famous Maine architect John Calvin Stevens designed the home of L. Brooks Leavitt in Wilton. Stevens also designed many other well-known homes in Maine.
Brooks Leavitt was an important investment banker and collector of rare books. He supported Bowdoin College and was friends with many artists and actors in New York.
Geography and Location
Wilton is a town with a total area of about 42.82 square miles (110.90 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with about 1.56 square miles (4.04 square kilometers) being water.
The town is home to Wilson Lake, also known as Wilson Pond. Wilson Stream flows through Wilton and eventually joins the Sandy River.
Neighboring Towns and Roads
Wilton is connected by several important roads, including U.S. Route 2 and state routes 4, 17, 133, and 156.
It shares borders with several other towns:
- Farmington to the east
- Carthage to the west
- Temple to the north
- Jay to the south
Population Changes Over Time
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1810 | 770 | — | |
| 1820 | 1,115 | 44.8% | |
| 1830 | 1,640 | 47.1% | |
| 1840 | 2,198 | 34.0% | |
| 1850 | 1,909 | −13.1% | |
| 1860 | 1,920 | 0.6% | |
| 1870 | 1,906 | −0.7% | |
| 1880 | 1,739 | −8.8% | |
| 1890 | 1,622 | −6.7% | |
| 1900 | 1,647 | 1.5% | |
| 1910 | 2,143 | 30.1% | |
| 1920 | 2,505 | 16.9% | |
| 1930 | 3,266 | 30.4% | |
| 1940 | 3,228 | −1.2% | |
| 1950 | 3,455 | 7.0% | |
| 1960 | 3,274 | −5.2% | |
| 1970 | 3,802 | 16.1% | |
| 1980 | 4,382 | 15.3% | |
| 1990 | 4,242 | −3.2% | |
| 2000 | 4,123 | −2.8% | |
| 2010 | 4,116 | −0.2% | |
| 2020 | 3,835 | −6.8% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Wilton's Population in 2010
In 2010, Wilton had 4,116 people living in 1,708 households. About 1,152 of these were families. The town had about 99.8 people per square mile.
Most of the people living in Wilton (96.3%) were White. About 0.9% were of Hispanic or Latino background.
The average age of people in Wilton was 43.2 years old. About 23.3% of residents were under 18 years old.
Education in Wilton
Wilton has two public elementary schools for younger students. The Gerald D. Cushing School teaches students from Pre-Kindergarten to 1st grade. The Academy Hill School is for students in grades 2 through 5.
Together, these schools have about 300 students. They are part of a larger school district called RSU 9.
Notable People from Wilton
Wilton has been home to several interesting people, including:
- David Chamberlain, a cross-country skier
- Kathy Lynn Emerson, a writer
- Ray Lamontagne, a singer
- L. Brooks Leavitt, an investment banker and book collector
- Alpheus Beede Stickney, a railway president
Images for kids
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High Street in 1905
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East Wilton depot in 1919
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Bass shoe factory in 1914
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Wilson Lake in 1914
See also
In Spanish: Wilton (Maine) para niños
