Saco, Maine

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Saco, Maine
City
View of Main Street
View of Main Street
Official seal of Saco, Maine
Seal
Motto: Domine Dirige Nos  (Latin)
"Lord Guide Us"
Location of city of Saco in Maine
Location of city of Saco in Maine
Saco, Maine is located in USA
Saco, Maine
Saco, Maine
Location in the United States
Coordinates: Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
Country United States
State Maine
County York
Incorporated 1762
Government
 • Mayor Donald Pilon
Area[1]
 • Total 52.76 sq mi (136.65 km2)
 • Land 38.46 sq mi (99.61 km2)
 • Water 14.30 sq mi (37.04 km2)
Elevation 66 ft (20 m)
Population (2010)[2]
 • Total 18,482
 • Estimate (2012[3]) 18,758
 • Density 480.6/sq mi (185.6/km2)
Time zone Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
 • Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code 04072
Area code(s) 207
FIPS code 23-64675
GNIS feature ID 0574646
Website www.sacomaine.org

Saco (pronounced SOCK-oh) is a city in York County, Maine, United States. The population was 18,482 at the 2010 census. It is home to Ferry Beach State Park, Funtown Splashtown USA, Thornton Academy, as well as General Dynamics Armament Systems (also known by its former name, Saco Defense), a subsidiary of the defense contractor General Dynamics. Saco sees much tourism during summer months, due to its amusement parks, Ferry Beach State Park, and proximity to Old Orchard Beach.

Saco is part of the Portland–South Portland–Biddeford, Maine metropolitan statistical area. Saco's twin-city is Biddeford.

History

This was territory of the Abenaki tribe whose fortified village was located up the Sokokis Trail at Pequawket (now Fryeburg). The township was granted in 1630 by the Plymouth Company to Thomas Lewis and Richard Bonython, and extended 4 miles (6.4 km) along the sea, by 8 miles (13 km) inland. Settled in 1631 as part of Winter Harbor (as Biddeford Pool was first known), it then included Biddeford. It would be reorganized in 1653 by the Massachusetts General Court as Saco.[4]

The settlement was 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. Saco lay in contested territory between New England and New France, which recruited the Indians as allies. In 1689 during King William's War, it was again attacked, with some residents taken captive. Hostilities intensified from 1702 until 1709, then ceased in 1713 with the Treaty of Portsmouth. The community was rebuilt and in 1718 incorporated as Biddeford. Peace would not last, however, and the town was again attacked in 1723 during Dummer's War, when it contained 14 garrisons. In August and September 1723, there were Indian raids on Saco, Maine and Dover, New Hampshire.[5] But in 1724, a Massachusetts militia destroyed Norridgewock, an Abenaki stronghold on the Kennebec River organizing raids on English settlements. The region became less dangerous, especially after the French defeat in 1745 at the Battle of Louisburg. The French and Indian Wars finally ended with the 1763 Treaty of Paris.[4]

In 1762, the northeastern bank of Biddeford separated as Pepperrellborough, named for Sir William Pepperrell, hero of the Battle of Louisburg and late proprietor of the town. Amos Chase was one of the pioneers of Pepperrellborough. He was chosen as a selectman at the first town meeting, and served as the first deacon of the Congregational Church. Dea. Chase was one of the area's largest taxpayers, and was prominent in civic affairs during the American Revolution, serving on the town's Committee of Correspondence and Committee of Inspection.[6][7][8][8][8][9][10][11][12][13][14]

Inhabitants found the name Pepperrellborough to be cumbersome, so in 1805 it was renamed Saco. It would be incorporated as a city in 1867. Saco became a center for lumbering, with log drives down the river from Little Falls Plantation (now Dayton, Lyman, Hollis and part of Limington). At Saco Falls, the timber was cut by 17 sawmills. In 1827, the community produced 21,000,000 feet (6,400,000 m) of sawn lumber, some of which was used for shipbuilding.[15]

On Factory Island, the Saco Iron Works began operation in 1811. The Saco Manufacturing Company established a cotton mill in 1826, and a canal was dug through rock to provide water power. The mill burned in 1830, but was replaced in 1831 by the York Manufacturing Company. With the arrival of the Portland, Saco and Portsmouth Railroad in 1842, Factory Island developed into a major textile manufacturing center, with extensive brick mills dominating the Saco and Biddeford waterfronts. Other businesses included foundries, belting and harnessmaking, and machine shops. But the New England textile industry faded in the 20th-century, and the York Manufacturing Company would close in 1958. The prosperous mill town era, however, left behind much fine architecture in the Georgian, Federal, Greek Revival and Victorian styles. Many buildings are now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[16]

Saco has taken steps to make the city more environmentally friendly. In early 2007 a wind turbine was erected near the water treatment plant at the foot of Front street. Another wind turbine was erected on the top of York Hill in December 2007 to generate power for the new train station for Amtrak's "Downeaster". This is part of the project to restore Factory Island, including the renovation of several abandoned mills that have fallen into disrepair, and the erection of new townhouses and a marina. Saco also has two growing business parks and another one under development.[17]

  • Amos Chase house on Ferry Road, Saco. Built ca. 1743.

  • B&MRR train passing through Saco c. 1879

  • Main Street c. 1912

  • Pepperrell Park in 1906

  • York Manufacturing Co. in 1916

Geography

The Saco River at Saco

Saco is located at Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. (43.510425, -70.444920).[18]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 52.76 square miles (136.65 km2), of which, 38.46 square miles (99.61 km2) of it is land and 14.30 square miles (37.04 km2) is water.[1] Situated beside Saco Bay on the Gulf of Maine, Saco is drained by the Saco River.

Saco borders the city of Biddeford, as well as the towns of Scarborough, Buxton, Dayton and Old Orchard Beach.

The Saco River as seen from Water Street in Saco. To the right is Rt 1 (Elm St) crossing the river to Spring's Island in Biddeford. In the middle is the railroad bridge that serves the Amtrak Downeaster and freight trains. It crosses from Biddeford to Saco's Factory Island.

Terrain

Saco contains a wide variety of landforms, including beaches, fields, forests, bogs, and urban areas.

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1790 1,350 —
1800 1,842 36.4%
1810 2,492 35.3%
1820 2,532 1.6%
1830 3,219 27.1%
1840 4,408 36.9%
1850 5,798 31.5%
1860 6,223 7.3%
1870 5,755 −7.5%
1880 6,389 11.0%
1890 6,075 −4.9%
1900 6,122 0.8%
1910 6,583 7.5%
1920 6,817 3.6%
1930 7,233 6.1%
1940 8,631 19.3%
1950 10,324 19.6%
1960 10,515 1.9%
1970 11,678 11.1%
1980 12,921 10.6%
1990 15,181 17.5%
2000 16,822 10.8%
2010 18,482 9.9%
Est. 2014 19,014 [19] 2.9%
sources:[20]

2010 census

As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 18,482 people, 7,623 households, and 4,925 families residing in the city. The population density was 480.6 inhabitants per square mile (185.6/km2). There were 8,508 housing units at an average density of 221.2 per square mile (85.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 95.7% White, 0.7% African American, 0.2% Native American, 1.7% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.3% of the population.

There were 7,623 households of which 28.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.2% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 35.4% were non-families. 27.0% 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 2.38 and the average family size was 2.88.

The median age in the city was 41.9 years. 21.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.6% were from 25 to 44; 30.5% were from 45 to 64; and 14.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.3% male and 51.7% female.

2000 census

As of the census[21] of 2000, there were 16,822 people, 6,801 households, and 4,590 families residing in the city. The population density was 437.2 people per square mile (168.8/km²). There were 7,424 housing units at an average density of 193.0 per square mile (74.5/km²). 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.

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.

Voter registration

Voter Registration and Party Enrollment as of November 2014[22]
Party Total Voters Percentage
  Democratic 5,261 37.75%
  Unenrolled 4,951 35.52%
  Republican 3,088 22.16%
  Green Independent 635 4.55%
Total 13,935 100%

Education

List of schools

  • Fairfield School (K-2)
  • Young School (K-2)
  • C.K. Burns School (3-5)
  • Saco Middle School (6-8)[23]
  • Thornton Academy (9-12)
  • Thornton Middle School (6-8) - Arundel, ME student overflow from partner RSU, RSU 21
  • Saco Transition Program (6-12)
  • The School At Sweetser (1-12)
  • Saco Island School (9-12)

Previous schools

  • Notre Dame de Lourdes School (K-8) - Closed in 2009 due to budget constraints.

Higher education

  • University College has a campus located in Saco.

Transportation

Saco Transportation Center

The Saco Transportation Center provides transportation between Portland, Maine and Boston, Massachusetts via the Downeaster passenger train.

Saco is accessible from Interstate 95, U.S. Route 1 and Interstate 195.Also, state routes 5, 9, 112, and 117 serve the city. There are also taxis that serve the Tri-City Area (Saco, Biddeford, Old Orchard Beach). The Portland International Jetport, located in Portland, Maine, is about 14 miles (23 km) from Saco. The ShuttleBus[24] and Zoom Bus[25] provide local transportation.

Sites of interest

Notable people

The Saco and Biddeford mills today

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ William Williamson, p. 123
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "webnests.com" defined multiple times with different content
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ ”York County Genealogy and Cemeteries – Buxton History,” (http://www.knights.hls-inc.net/BuxtonHis.htm), Retrieved 10 Feb 2011.
  11. ↑ Ridlon, Sr., G. T. Saco Valley Settlements and Families: Historical, Biographical, Genealogical, Traditional, and Legendary, Portland, ME, 1895, pp.105-6.
  12. ↑ Owen, Daniel Edward. Old Times in Saco, 1891, p. 56, 70, 151.
  13. ↑ Folsom, George. History of Saco and Biddeford, Alex. C. Putnam, 1830, pp. 265-7, 276, 281.
  14. ↑ Records of the Proprietors of Narraganset Township No. 1, Now the Town of Buxton, York County, Maine, August 1, 1733 to January 4, 1811, privately printed, Concord, NH, 1871, pp. 142, 147, 175, 185, 224, 253, 269-77(http://books.google.com/books?id=k1pAAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA188&lpg=PA188&dq=narragansett+no.+1&source=bl&ots=ZyfjoVybQ5&sig=MvgwPVAdySorH3ijz5z1RRttaho&hl=en&sa=X&ei=SJtcU_yzDKKf2QWn44D4CQ&ved=0CDkQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=narragansett%20no.%201&f=false).
  15. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  17. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  18. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  19. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  20. ↑ http://www.library.umaine.edu/census/default.htm
  21. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  22. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  23. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  24. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  25. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  26. ↑ http://drive-ins.com/theater/metsaco/saco-drive-in-theater-saco-me#.VihUuCuOcns
  27. ↑ http://www.aquabogganwaterpark.com/
  28. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  29. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  30. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  31. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  32. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  33. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  34. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  35. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  36. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  37. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  38. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  39. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  40. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  41. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  42. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  43. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  44. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  45. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links


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