Winthrop (town), Maine

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View of Annabessacook Lake, one of several in Winthrop

Winthrop is a town located in Kennebec County, Maine. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 6,232. A recreational area located among lakes, the town includes the villages of Winthrop and East Winthrop.

1 History
2 Notable residents
3 Geography
4 Demographics
5 Education
6 Government
7 Sites of interest
8 References
9 External links

[edit] History

Main Street in c. 1910

It was part of the Kennebec Purchase awarded by the Plymouth Council for New England. First called Pondtown for its lakes and ponds, it was settled by Timothy Foster in 1765. On April 26, 1771, Pondtown Plantation was incorporated by the Massachusetts General Court as Winthrop, named for the first colonial governor of Massachusetts, John Winthrop. Readfield was set off and incorporated in 1791. The surface of the town is uneven, but with good land that yielded hay, grain and apples. Winthrop became noted for its orchards and cattle. At the outlet of Maranacook Lake into Annabessacook Lake, John Chandler built a sawmill in 1768, and then added a gristmill. Other industries followed, including a fulling mill, tannery and blacksmith shop. The Winthrop Woolen & Cotton Manufactory was incorporated in 1809, and in 1814 went into operation. By 1886, the town had a sawmill which manufactured about 200,000 feet of lumber every year, 2 oil cloth factories, a sash and blind factory, and a foundry and machine shop. The railroad opened to the village, carrying freight and tourists. Winthrop and its lakes developed into a summer resort, which it remains today.

[edit] Notable residents

Samuel P. Benson, congressman
Del Bissonette, baseball player
Elizabeth Armstrong Reed, scholar & author
Benjamin White, congressman

[edit] Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 38.0 square miles (98.3 km²), of which, 31.2 square miles (80.9 km²) of it is land and 6.7 square miles (17.4 km²) of it is water. The total area is 17.68% water. Winthrop is drained by Hoyt Brook. Winthrop village is situated between Maranacook Lake and Annabessacook Lake.

The town is crossed by U. S. Route 202 and state routes 11, 41, 100, 133, 135. It is bordered by the towns of Manchester to the east, West Gardiner to the southeast, Monmouth to the south, Leeds and Wayne to the west, and Readfield to the north.

[edit] Demographics

Upper Dam Bridge in c. 1905

As of the census^[1] of 2000, there are 6,232 people, 2,495 households, and 1,739 families residing in the town. The population density is 199.5 people per square mile (77.0/km²). There are 3,053 housing units at an average density of 97.7/sq mi (37.7/km²). The racial makeup of the town is 98.43% White, 0.32% Black or African American, 0.32% Native American, 0.40% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.06% from other races, and 0.43% from two or more races. 0.53% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 2,495 households out of which 30.7% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.0% are married couples living together, 10.3% have a female householder with no husband present, and 30.3% are non-families. 23.5% of all households are made up of individuals and 9.1% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.42 and the average family size is 2.85.

Maranacook Lake in c. 1905

In the town the population is spread out with 22.6% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 27.0% from 25 to 44, 26.7% from 45 to 64, and 17.0% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 42 years. For every 100 females there are 98.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 94.2 males.

The median income for a household in the town is $41,733, and the median income for a family is $47,533. Males have a median income of $33,156 versus $26,667 for females. The per capita income for the town is $19,447. 9.3% of the population and 8.7% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 9.6% of those under the age of 18 and 14.0% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

[edit] Education

Winthrop is served by the Winthrop School System, and independent school unit serving grades K-12. It operates 3 schools (an elementary, a middle, and a high school).