Freeport, Maine

Freeport, Maine
Town

View of downtown

Seal
Nickname(s): The Birthplace of Maine

Location in Cumberland County and the state of Maine.
Coordinates: 43°50′38″N 70°6′6″W / 43.84389°N 70.10167°W / 43.84389; -70.10167Coordinates: 43°50′38″N 70°6′6″W / 43.84389°N 70.10167°W / 43.84389; -70.10167
Country United States
State Maine
County Cumberland
Incorporated February 14, 1789
Area[1]
 • Total 46.47 sq mi (120.36 km2)
 • Land 34.70 sq mi (89.87 km2)
 • Water 11.77 sq mi (30.48 km2)
Elevation 36 ft (11 m)
Population (2010)[2]
 • Total 7,879
 • Estimate (2012[3]) 8,039
 • Density 227.1/sq mi (87.7/km2)
Time zone Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
 • Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP codes 04032-04034
Area code(s) 207
FIPS code 23-26525
GNIS feature ID 0582481
Website www.freeportmaine.com

Freeport is a town in Cumberland County, Maine, United States. The population was 7,879 at the 2010 census. Known for its numerous outlet stores, Freeport is home to L.L. Bean, Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park, and the Desert of Maine.

Freeport is part of the Portland–South Portland–Biddeford, Maine metropolitan statistical area.

History

The town was once a part of North Yarmouth called Harraseeket, after the Harraseeket River. First settled about 1700, it was set off and incorporated on February 14, 1789 as Freeport. It is probably named "from the openness of its harbor" (free from ice).[4] Freeport developed as four villages—Mast Landing, Porter's Landing, South Freeport and Freeport Corner—all of which are now part of the Harraseeket Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

At the head of tide on the Harraseeket River is Mast Landing, from which timber was shipped, particularly for use as masts. The estuary was dammed to provide water power for a gristmill, sawmill and fulling mill, with modest manufacturing and woodworking.[4] Porter's Landing was involved in shipbuilding, important in Freeport following the Revolutionary War. The industry reached its peak in the decade between 1850 and 1860, but declined with the Civil War.[5] South Freeport, the largest of the waterfront villages, once had four shipyards. Other businesses included fishing, canning and farming. In 1903, the Casco Castle and Amusement Park was built here by Amos Gerald to encourage travel by trolley cars. The hotel burned in 1914, but its tower still stands. Freeport Corner was an inland village for farming and trade, but the 1849 entrance of the railroad helped it develop into the town's commercial center, which it remains. In the 1800s, fabric was sent from New York and Boston to be made into clothing by local piece workers. Businessman E. B. Mallet established here a sawmill, brickyard, granite quarry and large shoe factory.[6]

In 1912, Leon Leonwood Bean opened a store in the basement of his brother's apparel shop at Freeport Corner, selling the "Bean Boot" (or Maine Hunting Shoe). This store, L. L. Bean, became so popular that in 1951 it started remaining open 24 hours a day. Its retail and mail order catalog facilities expanded into Freeport's principal business, and a worldwide company with annual sales of over a billion dollars.[7]

In 1982, McDonald's made plans to tear down an 1850s Greek Revival house to build one of its standard stores. Outcry from residents caused the town to adopt new ordinances concerning what businesses could and couldn't do with their buildings, and McDonald's built the restaurant inside the house, maintaining the exterior appearance. This was one of the first times that McDonald's had been forced to change its restaurant design to fit local requirements.[8]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 46.47 square miles (120.36 km2), of which, 34.70 square miles (89.87 km2) of it is land and 11.77 square miles (30.48 km2) is water.[1] Situated at the northeastern extremity of Casco Bay, Freeport is drained by the Harraseeket River.

Freeport borders Brunswick and Durham to the north, Pownal to the west, and Yarmouth to the southwest. Freeport also shares small borders with Cumberland and Harpswell in Casco Bay. Cumberland and Harpswell are not connected to Freeport by roads, but since Freeport's town border ranges out into Casco Bay, the other towns' borders meet Freeport's.

Climate

This climatic region is typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Freeport has a humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfb" on climate maps.[9]

Transportation

Both U.S. 1 and Interstate-295 run directly through Freeport, the latter with three and a half exits.

Amtrak's Downeaster train service stops at Freeport station with service to the Portland Transportation Center and Boston's North Station.

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
17901,320—
18002,23769.5%
18102,184−2.4%
18202,1840.0%
18302,62320.1%
18402,6621.5%
18502,629−1.2%
18602,7926.2%
18702,457−12.0%
18802,279−7.2%
18902,4828.9%
19002,339−5.8%
19102,4605.2%
19202,4881.1%
19302,184−12.2%
19402,76426.6%
19503,28018.7%
19604,05523.6%
19704,78117.9%
19805,86322.6%
19906,90517.8%
20007,80013.0%
20107,8791.0%
Est. 20148,224[10]4.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[11]

2010 census

As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 7,879 people, 3,209 households, and 2,173 families residing in the town. The population density was 227.1 inhabitants per square mile (87.7/km2). There were 3,690 housing units at an average density of 106.3 per square mile (41.0/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 95.2% White, 0.6% African American, 0.4% Native American, 2.3% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.1% of the population.

There were 3,209 households of which 32.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.8% were married couples living together, 8.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 32.3% were non-families. 25.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.89.

The median age in the town was 45 years. 22.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22% were from 25 to 44; 34.7% were from 45 to 64; and 15.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 47.4% male and 52.6% female.

2000 census

As of the census[12] of 2000, there were 7,800 people, 3,065 households, and 2,151 families residing in the town. The population density was 224.8 people per square mile (86.8/km²). There were 3,276 housing units at an average density of 94.4 per square mile (36.4/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.22% White, 0.42% Black or African American, 0.31% Native American, 1.04% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.33% from other races, and 0.64% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.74% of the population.

There were 3,065 households out of which 34.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.5% were married couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.8% were non-families. 22.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the town, the population was spread out with 25.2% under the age of 18, 5.0% from 18 to 24, 29.4% from 25 to 44, 27.6% from 45 to 64, and 12.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 94.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.9 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $52,023, and the median income for a family was $58,134. Males had a median income of $41,703 versus $27,490 for females. The per capita income for the town was $27,724. About 4.0% of families and 5.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.0% of those under age 18 and 10.4% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Old Ledge Schoolhouse c. 1905

Freeport is part of Regional School Unit #5. Shannon L. Welsh is the Superintendent.[13]

Public schools

Private schools

Sites of interest

Main Street c. 1910
Main Street 2012

Notable people

References

  1. 1 2 "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-12-16.
  2. 1 2 "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-12-16.
  3. ↑ "Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2013-06-17. Retrieved 2013-07-06.
  4. 1 2 Coolidge, Austin J.; John B. Mansfield (1859). A History and Description of New England. Boston, Massachusetts. p. 131.
  5. ↑ Varney, George J. (1886), Gazetteer of the state of Maine. Freeport, Boston: Russell
  6. ↑ Historical Sketch of Freeport, Maine
  7. ↑ There is now a park that is dedicated in his name. "Company Information:Background". L.L. Bean. Retrieved 2007-08-09.
  8. ↑ "Thinking Outside the Big Box". Preservation Online. National Trust for Historic Preservation. Retrieved 2008-08-09.
  9. ↑ Climate Summary for Freeport, Maine
  10. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2014". Archived from the original on May 23, 2015. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  11. ↑ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Archived from the original on May 12, 2015. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  12. ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2013-09-11. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  13. ↑ The school system's website
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