Wells, Maine
Encyclopedia
Wells is a town in York County
, Maine
, United States. Founded in 1643, it is the third-oldest town in Maine. The population was 9,400 at the 2000 census. Wells Beach is a popular summer destination.
called the area Webhannet, meaning "at the clear stream," a reference to the Webhannet River
. In 1622, the Plymouth Company
in England awarded to Sir Ferdinando Gorges
, Lord Proprietor of Maine, territory which included the Plantation of Wells. His young cousin, Thomas Gorges, acting as deputy and agent, in 1641 granted to Rev. John Wheelwright
and other settlers from Exeter
, New Hampshire
the right to populate the land from northeast of the Ogunquit River to southwest of the Kennebunk River
. Following the death of the elder Gorges in 1647, the Massachusetts Bay Colony
laid claim to Maine. In 1653, Wells was incorporated, the third town in Maine to do so, and named after Wells, England
, a small cathedral city in the county of Somerset
. It then included Kennebunk
, set off the year Maine became a state in 1820, and Ogunquit
, designated a village within Wells by the legislature
in 1913, then set off in 1980.
Wells was the resilient northeastern frontier
of English
settlement. Except for a few forts and garrisons, early attempts to colonize Maine above Wells were abandoned because of attacks by Native American
s allied with New France
, which resented encroachment by New England
in territory it considered its own, Acadia
. Wells endured three major attacks, most famously the Raid on Wells
in 1692. The region became less dangerous, however, after the Battle of Louisburg in 1745.
The town developed as a farming community, producing hay
and vegetables. Other industries included shipbuilding
and fisheries
. In the 19th century, with the arrival of the railroad, the town's beautiful beaches attracted tourists. Many inns and hotels were built along the seashore. Today, tourism remains important to the economy.
Wells celebrated its 350th anniversary in 2003. The year-long celebration included a New Year's Eve party with fireworks, parade, a visit by the traveling Russian circus, concerts, historical reenactments, and more. The town commissioned a member of the celebration committee, Kristi Borst, to design a town flag. Her design portrays historic aspects of the Town's settlement and agriculture as well as the 2003 Town Hall and focus on tourism represented by a train. Also included is the motto she penned for the project: "Proud of our Past, Ready for our Future."
to the northeast; Sanford
to the northwest; North Berwick to the west; South Berwick
to the southwest; and Ogunquit
to the south.
Wells is part of the Portland-South Portland-Biddeford Metropolitan Statistical Area
.
There are several ways to get into and out of Wells, including:
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the town encompasses 58.2 square miles (150.7 km²), of which 57.6 square miles (149.2 km²) is land and 0.5 square miles (1.3 km²) (0.88%) is water. Wells is drained by the Webhannet River
.
was 163.1 people per square mile (63.0/km²). There were 7,794 housing units at an average density of 135.2 per square mile (52.2/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.18% White, 0.23% African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.48% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.14% from other races
, and 0.76% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.64% of the population.
There were 4,004 households out of which 25.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.7% were married couples
living together, 6.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.8% were non-families. 26.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.85.
In the town the population was spread out with 21.0% under the age of 18, 5.6% from 18 to 24, 26.4% from 25 to 44, 30.2% from 45 to 64, and 16.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 94.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.0 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $46,314, and the median income for a family was $53,644. Males had a median income of $39,682 versus $28,463 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $23,130. About 3.1% of families and 5.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.8% of those under age 18 and 5.6% of those age 65 or over.
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. Founded in 1643, it is the third-oldest town in Maine. The population was 9,400 at the 2000 census. Wells Beach is a popular summer destination.
History
The 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 Webhannet, meaning "at the clear stream," a reference to the Webhannet River
Webhannet River
The Webhannet River is an river whose watershed is contained entirely within the town of Wells, Maine.The river has five tributaries, including three with official names: Pope’s Creek, Depot Brook, and Blacksmith Brook...
. In 1622, the Plymouth Company
Plymouth Company
The Plymouth Company was an English joint stock company founded in 1606 by James I of England with the purpose of establishing settlements on the coast of North America.The Plymouth Company was one of two companies, along with the London Company, chartered with such...
in England awarded to Sir Ferdinando Gorges
Ferdinando Gorges
Sir Ferdinando Gorges , the "Father of English Colonization in North America", was an early English colonial entrepreneur and founder of the Province of Maine in 1622, although Gorges himself never set foot in the New World.-Biography:...
, Lord Proprietor of Maine, territory which included the Plantation of Wells. His young cousin, Thomas Gorges, acting as deputy and agent, in 1641 granted to Rev. John Wheelwright
John Wheelwright
John Wheelwright was a clergyman in England and America.-Early life:...
and other settlers from Exeter
Exeter, New Hampshire
Exeter is a town in Rockingham County, New Hampshire, United States. The town's population was 14,306 at the 2010 census. Exeter was the county seat until 1997, when county offices were moved to neighboring Brentwood...
, 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...
the right to populate the land from northeast of the Ogunquit River to southwest of the Kennebunk River
Kennebunk River
The Kennebunk River is a river in southern Maine in the United States. It drains a settled rural area southwest of Portland, emptying into the Atlantic Ocean....
. Following the death of the elder Gorges in 1647, the Massachusetts Bay Colony
Massachusetts Bay Colony
The Massachusetts Bay Colony was an English settlement on the east coast of North America in the 17th century, in New England, situated around the present-day cities of Salem and Boston. The territory administered by the colony included much of present-day central New England, including portions...
laid claim to Maine. In 1653, Wells was incorporated, the third town in Maine to do so, and named after Wells, England
Wells
Wells is a cathedral city and civil parish in the Mendip district of Somerset, England, on the southern edge of the Mendip Hills. Although the population recorded in the 2001 census is 10,406, it has had city status since 1205...
, a small cathedral city in the county of Somerset
Somerset
The ceremonial and non-metropolitan county of Somerset in South West England borders Bristol and Gloucestershire to the north, Wiltshire to the east, Dorset to the south-east, and Devon to the south-west. It is partly bounded to the north and west by the Bristol Channel and the estuary of the...
. It then included Kennebunk
Kennebunk, Maine
Kennebunk is a town in York County, Maine, United States. The population was 1,075 people at the 2000 census. Including Kennebunkport , the population totals 14,196 people...
, set off the year Maine became a state in 1820, and Ogunquit
Ogunquit, Maine
Ogunquit is a town in York County, Maine, United States. As of the 2000 census its population was 1,226. The popularity of the town as a summer resort is epitomized by its motto, "Beautiful Place by the Sea."...
, designated a village within Wells by the legislature
Maine Legislature
The Maine Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Maine. It is a bicameral body composed of the lower house Maine House of Representatives and the upper house Maine Senate...
in 1913, then set off in 1980.
Wells was the resilient northeastern frontier
Frontier
A frontier is a political and geographical term referring to areas near or beyond a boundary. 'Frontier' was absorbed into English from French in the 15th century, with the meaning "borderland"--the region of a country that fronts on another country .The use of "frontier" to mean "a region at the...
of English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
settlement. Except for a few forts and garrisons, early attempts to colonize Maine above Wells were abandoned because of attacks by Native American
Indigenous 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...
s allied with New France
New France
New France was the area colonized by France in North America during a period beginning with the exploration of the Saint Lawrence River by Jacques Cartier in 1534 and ending with the cession of New France to Spain and Great Britain in 1763...
, which resented encroachment by New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
in territory it considered its own, Acadia
Acadia
Acadia was the name given to lands in a portion of the French colonial empire of New France, in northeastern North America that included parts of eastern Quebec, the Maritime provinces, and modern-day Maine. At the end of the 16th century, France claimed territory stretching as far south as...
. Wells endured three major attacks, most famously the Raid on Wells
Raid on Wells
The Raid on Wells occurred during King William's War when French and Native forces from New France attacked the English settlement at Wells, Maine, a frontier town on the coast below Acadia. The principal attack was led by La Brognerie, who was killed...
in 1692. The region became less dangerous, however, after the Battle of Louisburg in 1745.
The town developed as a farming community, producing hay
Hay
Hay is grass, legumes or other herbaceous plants that have been cut, dried, and stored for use as animal fodder, particularly for grazing livestock such as cattle, horses, goats, and sheep. Hay is also fed to pets such as rabbits and guinea pigs...
and vegetables. Other industries included shipbuilding
Shipbuilding
Shipbuilding is the construction of ships and floating vessels. It normally takes place in a specialized facility known as a shipyard. Shipbuilders, also called shipwrights, follow a specialized occupation that traces its roots to before recorded history.Shipbuilding and ship repairs, both...
and fisheries
Fishery
Generally, a fishery is an entity engaged in raising or harvesting fish which is determined by some authority to be a fishery. According to the FAO, a fishery is typically defined in terms of the "people involved, species or type of fish, area of water or seabed, method of fishing, class of boats,...
. In the 19th century, with the arrival of the railroad, the town's beautiful beaches attracted tourists. Many inns and hotels were built along the seashore. Today, tourism remains important to the economy.
Wells celebrated its 350th anniversary in 2003. The year-long celebration included a New Year's Eve party with fireworks, parade, a visit by the traveling Russian circus, concerts, historical reenactments, and more. The town commissioned a member of the celebration committee, Kristi Borst, to design a town flag. Her design portrays historic aspects of the Town's settlement and agriculture as well as the 2003 Town Hall and focus on tourism represented by a train. Also included is the motto she penned for the project: "Proud of our Past, Ready for our Future."
Geography
Wells is on the southern coast of Maine, surrounded by KennebunkKennebunk, Maine
Kennebunk is a town in York County, Maine, United States. The population was 1,075 people at the 2000 census. Including Kennebunkport , the population totals 14,196 people...
to the northeast; 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...
to the northwest; North Berwick to the west; South Berwick
South Berwick, Maine
South Berwick is a town in York County, Maine, United States. The population was 7,220 at the 2010 census. South Berwick is home to Berwick Academy, a private, co-educational university-preparatory day school founded in 1791...
to the southwest; and Ogunquit
Ogunquit, Maine
Ogunquit is a town in York County, Maine, United States. As of the 2000 census its population was 1,226. The popularity of the town as a summer resort is epitomized by its motto, "Beautiful Place by the Sea."...
to the south.
Wells is part of the Portland-South Portland-Biddeford 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...
.
There are several ways to get into and out of Wells, including:
- Maine State Route 9Maine State Route 9State Route 9 is a numbered state highway in Maine, running from the New Hampshire border at Berwick in the west to the Canadian border with New Brunswick at Calais in the east. State Route 9 runs a total of .-Route description:...
- Maine State Route 9A
- Maine State Route 109
- U.S. Route 1U.S. Route 1 in MaineIn the U.S. state of Maine, U.S. Route 1 is a major north–south state highway serving the eastern part of the state. It parallels the Atlantic Ocean from New Hampshire north through Portland, Brunswick, and Belfast to Calais, and then the St. Croix River and the rest of the Canadian border...
- Interstate 95Interstate 95 in MaineIn the U.S. state of Maine, Interstate 95 is a long highway running from the New Hampshire border near Kittery, to the Canadian border near Houlton. It is the only two-digit Interstate Highway in Maine...
(Maine Turnpike Exit 19) - AmtrakAmtrakThe National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...
passenger rail service via the DowneasterDowneasterThe Downeaster is a 116-mile regional passenger train service managed by the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority and operated by Amtrak, connecting North Station in Boston, Massachusetts, to Portland, Maine...
train, which operates over Pan Am RailwaysPan Am RailwaysPan Am Railways, Inc. , known as Guilford Rail System before March 2006, is a holding company that owns and operates Class II regional railroads covering northern New England from Mattawamkeag, Maine to Rotterdam Junction, New York...
(formerly the Boston & Maine Railroad)
According to the United States Census Bureau
United 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 encompasses 58.2 square miles (150.7 km²), of which 57.6 square miles (149.2 km²) is land and 0.5 square miles (1.3 km²) (0.88%) is water. Wells is drained by the Webhannet River
Webhannet River
The Webhannet River is an river whose watershed is contained entirely within the town of Wells, Maine.The river has five tributaries, including three with official names: Pope’s Creek, Depot Brook, and Blacksmith Brook...
.
Demographics
As of the 2000 United States Census, there were 9,400 people, 4,004 households, and 2,690 families residing in the town. The population densityPopulation 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 163.1 people per square mile (63.0/km²). There were 7,794 housing units at an average density of 135.2 per square mile (52.2/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.18% White, 0.23% African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.48% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 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 0.76% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.64% of the population.
There were 4,004 households out of which 25.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.7% 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, 6.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.8% were non-families. 26.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.85.
In the town the population was spread out with 21.0% under the age of 18, 5.6% from 18 to 24, 26.4% from 25 to 44, 30.2% from 45 to 64, and 16.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 94.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.0 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $46,314, and the median income for a family was $53,644. Males had a median income of $39,682 versus $28,463 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 $23,130. About 3.1% of families and 5.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.8% of those under age 18 and 5.6% of those age 65 or over.
Education
Points of interest
- Historical Society of Wells & Ogunquit - Meetinghouse Museum & Library - located on the premises of what was originally the First Congregational Church of WellsFirst Congregational Church, Former (Wells, Maine)First Congregational Church, Former is a historic church building at the corner of Rt. 1 and Barker's Lane in Wells, Maine.It was built in 1862 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991....
- Rachel Carson National Wildlife RefugeRachel Carson National Wildlife RefugeThe Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge is a National Wildlife Refuge made up of several parcels of land along of Maine's southern coast...
- Division 9 Schoolhouse Museum
- Wells Auto Museum
- Wells Harbor Community Park
- Wells National Estuarine Research ReserveWells National Estuarine Research ReserveWells National Estuarine Research Reserve, located in Wells, Maine, USA, is of protected land headquartered at a restored saltwater farm called Laudholm...
and Historic Laudholm Farm - Wells Public Library
- Miles of public beaches with public parking areas: Drakes Island Beach, East Shore Beach, and Wells Beach, as well as the privately-held Moody Beach.
Notable people
- George BurroughsGeorge BurroughsGeorge Burroughs , American Congregational pastor, graduated from Harvard College in 1670, and became the minister of Salem Village in 1680, a charge which he held until 1683. He lived at Falmouth until it was destroyed by natives in 1690. Burroughs then moved to Wells, Maine...
, clergyman, victim of the Salem witch trialsSalem witch trialsThe Salem witch trials were a series of hearings before county court trials to prosecute people accused of witchcraft in the counties of Essex, Suffolk, and Middlesex in colonial Massachusetts, between February 1692 and May 1693... - Kathleen Chase, state representative
- Ronald F. CollinsRonald F. CollinsRonald F. Collins is a Maine politician. A Wells resident, Collins represents the 2nd Senate District. Prior to being elected a Maine State Senator, he was a member of the Maine House of Representatives representing Wells from 2002-10...
, state senator - Nathan Dingle, NFLNational Football LeagueThe National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
football player - Daniel W. GoochDaniel W. GoochDaniel Wheelwright Gooch was a United States Representative from Massachusetts. Gooch, the son of John and Olive Gooch, was born in Wells, Maine on January 8, 1820. He attended the public schools, Phillips Academy, and graduated from Dartmouth College...
, U.S. congressman - Ivory KimballIvory KimballJudge Ivory G. Kimball and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. He was the son of Wilbraham Kimball Jr. and Ann Hatch....
, judge - Steve LavigneSteve LavigneSteve Lavigne is an American comic book illustrator best known for his lettering and coloring on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles title for Mirage Studios. He is the creator of Cudley the Cowlick, Sgt...
, comic book illustrator - Nathaniel LittlefieldNathaniel LittlefieldNathaniel Swett Littlefield was a United States Representative from Maine. He was born in Wells on September 20, 1804. He attended the common schools, studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1827 and commenced practice in Bridgton, where he also served as postmaster from 1827-1841...
, U.S. congressman - Ryan PetersSposeRyan Michael Peters , better known by his stage name Spose, is an American rapper from Wells, Maine.-Music career:Spose began rhyming while he was in eighth grade with friend and rapper Cam Groves, and started to pursue his rapping career in 2004...
(stage name Spose), musician - John Fairfield ScammanJohn Fairfield ScammanJohn Fairfield Scammon was a United States Representative from Maine. He was born in Wells on October 24, 1786. He attended the common schools, then engaged in mercantile pursuits....
, U.S. congressman - John WheelwrightJohn WheelwrightJohn Wheelwright was a clergyman in England and America.-Early life:...
, clergyman, original settler of Wells