Union, Maine
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Union is a town in Knox County, Maine, United States. The population was 2,209 at the 2000 census.
Contents |
[edit] Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 89.3 km² (34.5 mi²). 83.1 km² (32.1 mi²) of it is land and 6.1 km² (2.4 mi²) of it (6.88%) is water.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there were 2,209 people, 863 households, and 632 families residing in the town. The population density was 26.6/km² (68.8/mi²). There were 1,052 housing units at an average density of 12.7/km² (32.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.64% White, 0.09% African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.23% Asian, and 0.81% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.27% of the population.
There were 863 households out of which 31.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.2% were married couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.7% were non-families. 20.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 2.85.
In the town the population was spread out with 24.6% under the age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 28.2% from 25 to 44, 27.8% from 45 to 64, and 13.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 95.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.8 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $37,679, and the median income for a family was $41,050. Males had a median income of $30,984 versus $23,438 for females. The per capita income for the town was $16,240. About 6.1% of families and 9.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.3% of those under age 18 and 5.5% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Early history
Union was part of a tract of land called the Muscongus Patent, a grant made March 2nd, 1629 by the Plymouth Council to John Beauchamp and Thomas Leverett. This act was later called the Waldo Patent. The town of Union was settled on July 19th, 1774 and named Taylor Town, after the original purchaser and settler, Dr. John Taylor. On May 3, 1786, it was organized as the Plantation of Sterlington, and on October 20th, 1786 it was incorporated and named Union. Washington, Maine was formed from a portion of Union in 1811.
[edit] The Union Fair
Union is home of a fairgrounds where the Union Fair is hosted every year. The fairgrounds is also home of The Matthews Museum of Maine Heritage Link, a museum dedicated to the History of the Union Area, the State of Maine and Moxie Ads. The Museum opened in 1966.
[edit] The Common
A War memorial was dedicated on the common on July 4th, 1888 and continues to stand to this day. When Union Celebrated its Bicentennial on July 19th, 1974, a time capsule was buried near the statue, to be dug up on July 19th, 2024. The capsule contains a picture of children from around the town and "scores of current memorabilia".
[edit] Notable residents
- Dr. Augustin Thompson, inventor of the soft drink Moxie, was born in Union on November 25th, 1835. The Thompson Community Center was named after him.
- Jim Doble, an instrument builder who has invented mallet instruments made of metal, glass, stone, and wood, lives in Union.[1]
[edit] References
- 200 Years in Union By Chester Nash, Patricia Kahn, and the Union Historical Society in 1974. Printed by the Courier-Gazette.
- 200 Years in Union: Corrections and Additions Supplement by the Union Historical Society
- Union Past and Present by Union Weekly Times, 1895
- Sibley's History of Union by John L. Sibley
- Horse and Buggy Days: A brief History of Union, Maine by E. A. Matthews
