Waterboro, Maine
Encyclopedia
Waterboro is a town in York County
, Maine
, United States
. The population was 6,214 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Portland
–South Portland
–Biddeford
, Maine metropolitan statistical area
.
The town includes the districts of North (04061), South (04087), and East (04030) Waterboro, in addition to the largest development in Southern Maine, Lake Arrowhead Community. The introduction of Maine subdivision regulation, and Maine Planning Boards, is the direct result of the creation of the largest subdivision, Lake Arrowhead Community. The reaction of the Maine State Legislature was mandatory Planning Boards, and subdivision regulation.
called the area Massabesic, meaning "the place of much water," a reference to the region's lakes. It was part of an extensive tract of land purchased in 1661 by Major William Phillips of Saco
from Chief Fluellin. Known as Massabesic Plantation, it included most of modern-day Waterboro, Alfred
and Sanford
. Phillips died in 1683, and the plantation eventually passed from his heirs to 10 proprietors. One of those proprietors was Colonel Joshua Waters, for whom the town would be named.
Lumbering began to thrive here about 1764. Captain John Smith from Kittery
was the first permanent settler, arriving in 1768. On March 6, 1787, the Massachusetts General Court
incorporated the township as Waterborough. In 1790, Old Corners became the site of the Court of General Sessions, although in 1805 the county seat
shifted to Alfred. In 1895, the name was shortened to Waterboro.
With land particularly suited for livestock
grazing
, agriculture
became a principal industry. The town had many cattle
and dairy
farms. The Portland and Rochester Railroad passed through Waterboro and connected to Rochester
, New Hampshire
in 1871, helping spur development. Rivers and brooks provided water power to operate mills. Several sawmill
s were established, and by 1886 the town produced about 1800000 feet (548,640 m) of lumber annually. Other businesses included the Ossipee Manufacturing Company at the Little Ossipee River
, which made blanket
s, and the Steam Mill Company at South Waterboro, which made wooden boxes. In 1922, the Goodall-Sanford Mills built in Waterboro village a spinning
mill, taken over by a patent leather
manufacturer that operated from 1939-1982.
Fire twice devastated the town. In 1911, a large portion of South Waterboro burned. Then during the Great Fires of 1947
, three-quarters of Waterboro's land area burned, including the town center and 90% of the cottages on Little Ossipee Lake. Today, Waterboro's lakes remain a popular recreation area. The town is home to the 2140 acres (866 ha) Waterboro Barrens, one of the largest and best preserved pitch pine
barrens in Maine.
, the town has a total area of 57.4 square miles (148.6 km²), of which, 55.5 square miles (143.8 km²) of it is land and 1.8 square miles (4.8 km²) of it (3.21%) is water. Lake Arrowhead
, named by land developers in the 1960s, is on the northern border of the town. Waterboro is drained by the Little Ossipee River
. Little Ossipee Lake, the largest body of water, covers 564 acres (228.2 ha). Ossipee Mountain, elevation 1058 feet (322 m) above sea level, is the highest point in the town.
Waterboro is crossed by U. S. Route 202 and state routes 4
and 5
. It borders the towns of Alfred
to the southwest, and Lyman
to the southeast, Hollis
to the northeast, Limerick
and Limington
to the north, Newfield
to the northwest, and Shapleigh to the west.
of 2000, there were 6,214 people, 2,211 households, and 1,704 families residing in the town. The population density
was 111.9 people per square mile (43.2/km²). There were 2,828 housing units at an average density of 50.9 per square mile (19.7/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.66% White, 0.11% African American, 0.32% Native American, 0.21% Asian, 0.14% from other races
, and 0.55% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.68% of the population.
There were 2,211 households out of which 43.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.3% were married couples
living together, 8.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.9% were non-families. 15.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.81 and the average family size was 3.15.
In the town the population was spread out with 30.8% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 35.9% from 25 to 44, 19.8% from 45 to 64, and 7.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 102.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.5 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $43,234, and the median income for a family was $46,667. Males had a median income of $33,583 versus $21,904 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $17,813. About 3.4% of families and 6.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.4% of those under age 18 and 7.8% of those age 65 or over.
, Massabesic Middle School, and the Waterboro Elementary School. The town is part of Regional School Unit 57 (RSU 57), a regional school district also encompassing five other towns: Alfred
, Limerick
, Lyman
, Newfield
, and Shapleigh
.
York County, Maine
York County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maine. In 2010, the population was 197,131. Its county seat is Alfred.Founded in 1636, it is the oldest county in Maine and one of the oldest in the United States....
, Maine
Maine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 6,214 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Portland
Portland, Maine
Portland is the largest city in Maine and is the county seat of Cumberland County. The 2010 city population was 66,194, growing 3 percent since the census of 2000...
–South Portland
South Portland, Maine
South Portland is a city in Cumberland County, Maine, United States, and is the fourth-largest city in the state. Founded in 1895, as of the 2010 census, the city population was 25,002. Known for its working waterfront, South Portland is situated on Portland Harbor and overlooks the skyline of...
–Biddeford
Biddeford, Maine
Biddeford is a town in York County, Maine, United States. It is the largest town in the county, and is the sixth-largest in the state. It is the most southerly incorporated town in the state and the principal commercial center of York County. The population was 21,277 at the 2010 census...
, Maine metropolitan statistical area
Portland-South Portland-Biddeford metropolitan area
The Portland–South Portland–Biddeford Metropolitan Statistical Area, also known as Greater Portland, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of three counties in Maine, anchored by the city of Portland and the smaller cities of South Portland and Biddeford...
.
The town includes the districts of North (04061), South (04087), and East (04030) Waterboro, in addition to the largest development in Southern Maine, Lake Arrowhead Community. The introduction of Maine subdivision regulation, and Maine Planning Boards, is the direct result of the creation of the largest subdivision, Lake Arrowhead Community. The reaction of the Maine State Legislature was mandatory Planning Boards, and subdivision regulation.
History
Abenaki IndiansIndigenous peoples of the Americas
The indigenous peoples of the Americas are the pre-Columbian inhabitants of North and South America, their descendants and other ethnic groups who are identified with those peoples. Indigenous peoples are known in Canada as Aboriginal peoples, and in the United States as Native Americans...
called the area Massabesic, meaning "the place of much water," a reference to the region's lakes. It was part of an extensive tract of land purchased in 1661 by Major William Phillips of Saco
Saco, Maine
Saco is a city in York County, Maine, United States. The population was 18,482 at the 2010 census. It is home to Ferry Beach State Park, Funtown Splashtown USA, Thornton Academy, as well as General Dynamics Armament Systems , a subsidiary of the defense contractor General Dynamics...
from Chief Fluellin. Known as Massabesic Plantation, it included most of modern-day Waterboro, Alfred
Alfred, Maine
Alfred is a town in York County, Maine, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the town population was 2,497. Alfred is the county seat of York County and home to part of the Massabesic Experimental Forest...
and Sanford
Sanford, Maine
Sanford is a town in York County, Maine, United States. The population was 20,798 in the 2010 census, the highest of the York County towns, and the 8th largest in the state. Situated on the Mousam River, Sanford includes the village of Springvale...
. Phillips died in 1683, and the plantation eventually passed from his heirs to 10 proprietors. One of those proprietors was Colonel Joshua Waters, for whom the town would be named.
Lumbering began to thrive here about 1764. Captain John Smith from Kittery
Kittery, Maine
Kittery is a town in York County, Maine, United States. The population was 9,543 at the 2000 census. Home to the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard on Seavey's Island, Kittery includes Badger's Island, the seaside district of Kittery Point, and part of the Isles of Shoals...
was the first permanent settler, arriving in 1768. On March 6, 1787, the Massachusetts General Court
Massachusetts General Court
The Massachusetts General Court is the state legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The name "General Court" is a hold-over from the Colonial Era, when this body also sat in judgment of judicial appeals cases...
incorporated the township as Waterborough. In 1790, Old Corners became the site of the Court of General Sessions, although in 1805 the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
shifted to Alfred. In 1895, the name was shortened to Waterboro.
With land particularly suited for livestock
Livestock
Livestock refers to one or more domesticated animals raised in an agricultural setting to produce commodities such as food, fiber and labor. The term "livestock" as used in this article does not include poultry or farmed fish; however the inclusion of these, especially poultry, within the meaning...
grazing
Grazing
Grazing generally describes a type of feeding, in which a herbivore feeds on plants , and also on other multicellular autotrophs...
, agriculture
Agriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
became a principal industry. The town had many cattle
Cattle
Cattle are the most common type of large domesticated ungulates. They are a prominent modern member of the subfamily Bovinae, are the most widespread species of the genus Bos, and are most commonly classified collectively as Bos primigenius...
and dairy
Dairy farming
Dairy farming is a class of agricultural, or an animal husbandry, enterprise, for long-term production of milk, usually from dairy cows but also from goats and sheep, which may be either processed on-site or transported to a dairy factory for processing and eventual retail sale.Most dairy farms...
farms. The Portland and Rochester Railroad passed through Waterboro and connected to Rochester
Rochester, New Hampshire
Rochester is a city in Strafford County, New Hampshire, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 29,752. The city includes the villages of East Rochester and Gonic. Rochester is home to Skyhaven Airport and the annual Rochester Fair....
, New Hampshire
New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state was named after the southern English county of Hampshire. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Canadian...
in 1871, helping spur development. Rivers and brooks provided water power to operate mills. Several sawmill
Sawmill
A sawmill is a facility where logs are cut into boards.-Sawmill process:A sawmill's basic operation is much like those of hundreds of years ago; a log enters on one end and dimensional lumber exits on the other end....
s were established, and by 1886 the town produced about 1800000 feet (548,640 m) of lumber annually. Other businesses included the Ossipee Manufacturing Company at the Little Ossipee River
Little Ossipee River
The Little Ossipee River is a tributary of the Saco River in southwestern Maine.It rises at the outlet of Balch Pond in the town of Newfield and flows east, passing through Shapleigh Pond and flowing past the village of North Shapleigh. Forming the boundary between Newfield and the town of...
, which made blanket
Blanket
A blanket is a type of bedding, generally speaking, a large piece of cloth, intended to keep the user warm, especially while sleeping. Blankets are distinguished from sheets by their thickness and purpose; the thickest sheet is still thinner than the lightest blanket. Blankets are generally used...
s, and the Steam Mill Company at South Waterboro, which made wooden boxes. In 1922, the Goodall-Sanford Mills built in Waterboro village a spinning
Spinning (textiles)
Spinning is a major industry. It is part of the textile manufacturing process where three types of fibre are converted into yarn, then fabric, then textiles. The textiles are then fabricated into clothes or other artifacts. There are three industrial processes available to spin yarn, and a...
mill, taken over by a patent leather
Patent leather
Patent leather is a type of japanned leather that has been given a high gloss, shiny finish. The process was brought to the United States and improved by Newark-based inventor Seth Boyden in 1818, with commercial manufacture beginning September 20, 1819. Boyden's process, which he never patented,...
manufacturer that operated from 1939-1982.
Fire twice devastated the town. In 1911, a large portion of South Waterboro burned. Then during the Great Fires of 1947
Great Fires of 1947
The Great Fires of 1947 were a series of forest fires in the State of Maine in the United States that destroyed a total area of 175,000 acres of wooded land...
, three-quarters of Waterboro's land area burned, including the town center and 90% of the cottages on Little Ossipee Lake. Today, Waterboro's lakes remain a popular recreation area. The town is home to the 2140 acres (866 ha) Waterboro Barrens, one of the largest and best preserved pitch pine
Pitch Pine
The Pitch Pine, Pinus rigida, is a small-to-medium sized pine, native to eastern North America. This species occasionally hybridizes with other pine species such as Loblolly Pine , Shortleaf Pine , and Pond Pine The Pitch Pine, Pinus rigida, is a small-to-medium sized (6-30 meters or 20-100 feet)...
barrens in Maine.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town has a total area of 57.4 square miles (148.6 km²), of which, 55.5 square miles (143.8 km²) of it is land and 1.8 square miles (4.8 km²) of it (3.21%) is water. Lake Arrowhead
Lake Arrowhead (Maine)
Lake Arrowhead is an artificial lake with a surface area of approximately ....
, named by land developers in the 1960s, is on the northern border of the town. Waterboro is drained by the Little Ossipee River
Little Ossipee River
The Little Ossipee River is a tributary of the Saco River in southwestern Maine.It rises at the outlet of Balch Pond in the town of Newfield and flows east, passing through Shapleigh Pond and flowing past the village of North Shapleigh. Forming the boundary between Newfield and the town of...
. Little Ossipee Lake, the largest body of water, covers 564 acres (228.2 ha). Ossipee Mountain, elevation 1058 feet (322 m) above sea level, is the highest point in the town.
Waterboro is crossed by U. S. Route 202 and state routes 4
Maine State Route 4
State Route 4 is part of Maine's system of numbered state highways, running from the New Hampshire border in South Berwick to Haines Landing on Mooselookmeguntic Lake in the town of Rangeley...
and 5
Maine State Route 5
State Route 5 is part of Maine's system of numbered state highways, running from the an intersection with Route 9 in Old Orchard Beach, to an intersection with Route 120 in Andover. Route 5 is long....
. It borders the towns of Alfred
Alfred, Maine
Alfred is a town in York County, Maine, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the town population was 2,497. Alfred is the county seat of York County and home to part of the Massabesic Experimental Forest...
to the southwest, and Lyman
Lyman, Maine
Lyman is a town in York County, Maine, United States. The population was 3,795 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Portland–South Portland–Biddeford, Maine metropolitan statistical area...
to the southeast, Hollis
Hollis, Maine
Hollis is a town in York County, Maine, United States. The population was 4,281 at the 2010 census. Hollis is a rural bedroom community of Portland and is part of the Portland–South Portland–Biddeford, Maine metropolitan statistical area.-History:...
to the northeast, Limerick
Limerick, Maine
Limerick is a town in York County, Maine, United States. It is part of the Portland–South Portland–Biddeford, Maine metropolitan statistical area. The population was 2,240 at the 2000 census.-History:...
and Limington
Limington, Maine
Limington is a town in York County, Maine, United States. The population was 3,403 at the 2000 census. Limington is a tourist destination with historic architecture. It is part of the Portland–South Portland–Biddeford, Maine metropolitan statistical area.-History:In 1668, Francis Small...
to the north, Newfield
Newfield, Maine
Newfield is a town in York County, Maine, United States. The population was 1,328 at the 2000 census. Home to Willowbrook Museum Village, Newfield is part of the Portland–South Portland–Biddeford metropolitan statistical area.-History:...
to the northwest, and Shapleigh to the west.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 6,214 people, 2,211 households, and 1,704 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 111.9 people per square mile (43.2/km²). There were 2,828 housing units at an average density of 50.9 per square mile (19.7/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.66% White, 0.11% African American, 0.32% Native American, 0.21% Asian, 0.14% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.55% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.68% of the population.
There were 2,211 households out of which 43.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.3% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 8.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.9% were non-families. 15.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.81 and the average family size was 3.15.
In the town the population was spread out with 30.8% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 35.9% from 25 to 44, 19.8% from 45 to 64, and 7.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 102.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.5 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $43,234, and the median income for a family was $46,667. Males had a median income of $33,583 versus $21,904 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $17,813. About 3.4% of families and 6.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.4% of those under age 18 and 7.8% of those age 65 or over.
Education
Waterboro is home to Massabesic High SchoolMassabesic High School
Massabesic High School, Pronounced "MASS-UH-BEE-SlK" is a public high school located in Waterboro, Maine, United States...
, Massabesic Middle School, and the Waterboro Elementary School. The town is part of Regional School Unit 57 (RSU 57), a regional school district also encompassing five other towns: Alfred
Alfred, Maine
Alfred is a town in York County, Maine, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the town population was 2,497. Alfred is the county seat of York County and home to part of the Massabesic Experimental Forest...
, Limerick
Limerick, Maine
Limerick is a town in York County, Maine, United States. It is part of the Portland–South Portland–Biddeford, Maine metropolitan statistical area. The population was 2,240 at the 2000 census.-History:...
, Lyman
Lyman, Maine
Lyman is a town in York County, Maine, United States. The population was 3,795 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Portland–South Portland–Biddeford, Maine metropolitan statistical area...
, Newfield
Newfield, Maine
Newfield is a town in York County, Maine, United States. The population was 1,328 at the 2000 census. Home to Willowbrook Museum Village, Newfield is part of the Portland–South Portland–Biddeford metropolitan statistical area.-History:...
, and Shapleigh
Shapleigh, Maine
Shapleigh, pronounced "SHAP-lee", is a town in York County, Maine, United States which was incorporated as the state's 43rd town in 1785. The population was 2,326 at the 2000 census. Shapleigh is divided into the villages of North Shapleigh, Shapleigh Corner, Ross Corner and Emery Mills...
.
Sites of interest
- Waterboro Barrens Preserve
- James Leavitt HouseJames Leavitt HouseThe James Leavitt House in Waterboro Center, Maine, is a mid-19th century Greek Revival home built of wooden weatherboard and resting on a granite foundation...