Saco, Maine

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Location of city of Saco in Maine
Location of city of Saco in Maine

Saco is a city in York County, Maine, United States. The population was 16,822 at the 2000 census. It is home to Ferry Beach State Park and Thornton Academy, established in 1811.

Contents

[edit] History

City Hall in 1906
City Hall in 1906

Granted in 1630 by the Plymouth Company to Thomas Lewis and Richard Bonython, the town extended 4 miles along the sea, and 8 inland. Settled in 1631 as part of "Winter Harbor" {as Biddeford Pool was first known), it included Biddeford. It would be reorganized in 1653 by the General Court of Massachusetts as "Saco," like the Sokokis (or Saco) Indians who once hunted and fished along the Saco River. The community would be incorporated in 1718 as "Biddeford," the fourth town in Maine. The northeastern bank separated in 1762 with the name "Pepperellborough," in honor of Sir William Pepperrell, a late proprietor. It was renamed "Saco" in 1805, and incorporated as a city in 1867.

The settlement would be attacked by Indians in 1675 during King Philip's War. Settlers moved to the mouth of the river, and the houses and mills they left behind were burned. In 1689, it was again attacked, with some residents taken captive. Hostilities intensified from 1702 until 1709, then again in 1723, when the town contained 14 garrisons. Nevertheless, the area became a center for lumbering, with logs floated down the river from "Little Falls Plantation" (now Dayton, Hollis and part of Limington), to be cut by sawmills at Saco Falls. In 1827, the community produced 21,000,000 feet of sawn lumber.

Sarah Fairfield Hamilton Memorial in c. 1912
Sarah Fairfield Hamilton Memorial in c. 1912

On Factory Island, formerly called Indian Island, the Saco Iron Works began operation in 1811. A cotton mill was established in 1826, and a canal was dug through rock to provide water power. Factory Island developed in the 19th century into major textile manufacturing center, with expansive brick mills dominating the Saco and Biddeford waterfronts. That industry would fade in the 20th century, particularly with the closure of the York Manufacturing Company in 1958. The prosperous mill town era, however, left behind much fine architecture. Saco has a considerable collection of buildings in the Georgian, Federal, Greek Revival and Victorian styles.

Saco is home to Funtown Splashtown USA (an amusement park), and Aquaboggan (a water park), as well as General Dynamics Armament Systems (also known by its former name, Saco Defense), a subsidiary of the defense contractor General Dynamics; it builds primarily small arms weapons for the U.S. military, such as the M60 machine gun. Saco sees much tourism during summer months, due to its amusement parks, Ferry Beach State Park and proximity to Old Orchard Beach.

Notable Inhabitants:

Historic Sites & Museums:

[edit] Geography

Saco is located at 43°30′38″N, 70°26′42″W (43.510425, -70.444920)GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 101.9 km² (39.3 mi²). 99.7 km² (38.5 mi²) of it is land and 2.3 km² (0.9 mi²) of it (2.21%) is water. Saco is drained by the Saco River.

[edit] Demographics

Post Office in c. 1920
Post Office in c. 1920

As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 16,822 people, 6,801 households, and 4,590 families residing in the city. The population density was 168.8/km² (437.2/mi²). There were 7,424 housing units at an average density of 74.5/km² (193.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.91% White, 0.32% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.51% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 0.10% from other races, and 0.93% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.58% of the population.

There were 6,801 households out of which 33.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.3% were married couples living together, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.5% were non-families. 25.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.93.

Main & Elm streets in 1908
Main & Elm streets in 1908

In the city the population was spread out with 25.0% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 32.1% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 13.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 91.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $45,105, and the median income for a family was $52,724. Males had a median income of $35,446 versus $25,585 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,444. About 7.1% of families and 8.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.4% of those under age 18 and 10.8% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links


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