Winterport, Maine facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Winterport, Maine
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Penobscot River in 1906
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| Motto(s):
"A Great Place to Live and Work"
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Location of the town of Winterport (in yellow) in Waldo County and the state of Maine
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| Country | United States |
| State | Maine |
| County | Waldo |
| Incorporated | March 12, 1860 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Town Council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 37.05 sq mi (95.96 km2) |
| • Land | 35.52 sq mi (92.00 km2) |
| • Water | 1.53 sq mi (3.96 km2) |
| Elevation | 220 ft (67 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 3,817 |
| • Density | 107/sq mi (41.5/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
04496
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| Area code(s) | 207 |
| FIPS code | 23-86760 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0582822 |
| Website | Town of Winterport, Maine |
Winterport is a small town located in Waldo County, Maine, United States. In 2020, about 3,817 people lived there.
Winterport is known for its Winterport Historic District. This area, which includes several blocks along Main Street, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. This means it's a special place with important historical buildings.
Contents
History of Winterport
Winterport was first settled in 1766. At that time, it was part of a larger area called Frankfort. On March 12, 1860, Winterport became its own separate town. This process is called being "incorporated."
Why the Name Winterport?
The town got its name, Winterport, because of its excellent harbor. This harbor is on the Penobscot River estuary. An estuary is where a river meets the sea, and the water is a mix of fresh and salt water.
The harbor usually stayed free of ice, even in winter. This made Winterport a very busy place for trade and shipping during the colder months. When the upper parts of the Penobscot River froze, goods like flour were brought from Winterport to Bangor.
Early Industries and Economy
In 1841, a man named Theophilus Cushing started a large steam mill. This mill produced a huge amount of lumber every year. It also made special wooden boxes for sugar, lath (thin strips of wood), clapboard (wooden siding for houses), and boxes for soap and candles.
Winterport also had two factories that made barrels (cooperage factories). Other businesses in town made harnesses for horses, cheese, butter, and men's vests. For a while, Winterport was also a center for shipbuilding. However, after a financial crisis in 1857, shipbuilding slowed down. For most people in Winterport, farming was the main way to make a living.
Geography and Location
Winterport covers a total area of about 37.05 square miles (95.96 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 35.52 square miles (92.00 square kilometers), is land. The rest, about 1.53 square miles (3.96 square kilometers), is water.
The Marsh River flows through Winterport. The town is also bordered by the large Penobscot River.
Roads and Neighboring Towns
Several important roads pass through Winterport. These include U.S. Route 1A, Maine State Route 69, and Maine State Route 139.
Winterport shares its borders with several other towns:
Across the Penobscot River to the east is Bucksport. Before the Waldo-Hancock Bridge opened in 1931, people traveled between Winterport and Bucksport using the Winterport Ferry Co.
Population Changes Over Time
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1860 | 2,318 | — | |
| 1870 | 2,744 | 18.4% | |
| 1880 | 2,260 | −17.6% | |
| 1890 | 1,926 | −14.8% | |
| 1900 | 1,623 | −15.7% | |
| 1910 | 1,582 | −2.5% | |
| 1920 | 1,433 | −9.4% | |
| 1930 | 1,437 | 0.3% | |
| 1940 | 1,572 | 9.4% | |
| 1950 | 1,694 | 7.8% | |
| 1960 | 2,088 | 23.3% | |
| 1970 | 1,963 | −6.0% | |
| 1980 | 2,675 | 36.3% | |
| 1990 | 3,175 | 18.7% | |
| 2000 | 3,602 | 13.4% | |
| 2010 | 3,757 | 4.3% | |
| 2020 | 3,817 | 1.6% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
2010 Census Information
In 2010, there were 3,757 people living in Winterport. There were 1,503 households, which are groups of people living together. About 1,100 of these were families.
The average age of people in Winterport in 2010 was about 41.5 years old.
- About 22.9% of residents were under 18 years old.
- About 11.2% of residents were 65 years old or older.
- The population was almost evenly split between males (49.4%) and females (50.6%).
Places to Visit
- Regional School Unit 22
Famous People from Winterport
Many interesting people have come from Winterport, including:
- Mike Bordick, a professional baseball player.
- Joseph E. Brooks, a state politician and writer.
- Alice Osborne Curwen (McKeen), a biologist and church leader.
- Albert E. Fernald, who received the Medal of Honor.
- James Otis Kaler, a journalist and author of children's books.
- Frederick Low, who served in the U.S. Congress and was the 9th governor of California.
- Jonathan Merrill (1801–1848), a Major General in the Maine Militia.
- Reagan Paul, a state politician.
- Michael Thibodeau, a Maine state senator.
- Daniel White, a brigadier general.
See also
In Spanish: Winterport para niños
