Biddeford, Maine
Biddeford, Maine | ||
---|---|---|
FIPS code 23-04860 | | |
GNIS feature ID | 0562119 | |
Website | http://www.Biddefordmaine.org |
Biddeford (
Biddeford is a principal population center of the
History
The first European to settle at Biddeford was physician Richard Vines in the winter of 1616–1617 at Winter Harbor, as he called Biddeford Pool. This 1616 landing by a European antedates the Mayflower landing in Plymouth, Massachusetts, (located 100 miles to the south) by about four years, a fact overlooked in much of New England lore.[4] In 1630, the Plymouth Company granted the land south of the River Swanckadocke to Dr. Vines and John Oldham. In 1653, the town included both sides of the river, and was incorporated by the Massachusetts General Court as Saco.[5]
Biddeford was first incorporated as the Town of Saco in 1653.
In 1762, the land northeast of the river was set off as Pepperellborough, which in 1805 was renamed Saco. The first bridge to Saco was built in 1767. The river divides into two falls that drop 40 feet (12 m), providing
The mills attracted waves of immigrants, including the
During
Geography
According to the
The city is crossed by
Timber Island, the most southerly point in the City of Biddeford, lies in Goosefare Bay at the mouth of the Little River, and is accessible at low tide from Goose Rocks Beach in Kennebunkport. The island and most of adjacent Timber Point became part of the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge in December 2011.
The city has almost 15 miles (24 km) of frontage along the Saco River, and an Atlantic coastline on which the seaside neighborhoods of Hills Beach, Biddeford Pool, Fortunes Rocks and Granite Point are located. Biddeford includes Wood Island Light, a lighthouse located about a mile offshore from Biddeford Pool.
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, Biddeford has a humid continental climate, Dfb on climate maps.[12]
Demographics
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1790 | 1,018 | — | |
1800 | 1,296 | 27.3% | |
1810 | 1,563 | 20.6% | |
1820 | 1,738 | 11.2% | |
1830 | 1,995 | 14.8% | |
1840 | 2,574 | 29.0% | |
1850 | 6,095 | 136.8% | |
1860 | 9,349 | 53.4% | |
1870 | 10,282 | 10.0% | |
1880 | 12,651 | 23.0% | |
1890 | 14,443 | 14.2% | |
1900 | 16,145 | 11.8% | |
1910 | 17,079 | 5.8% | |
1920 | 18,008 | 5.4% | |
1930 | 17,633 | −2.1% | |
1940 | 19,790 | 12.2% | |
1950 | 20,836 | 5.3% | |
1960 | 19,255 | −7.6% | |
1970 | 19,983 | 3.8% | |
1980 | 19,638 | −1.7% | |
1990 | 20,710 | 5.5% | |
2000 | 20,942 | 1.1% | |
2010 | 21,277 | 1.6% | |
2020 | 22,552 | 6.0% | |
sources[13] |
2010 census
At the 2010
There were 8,598 households, of which 27.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.4% were married couples living together, 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 42.2% were non-families. 30.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.84.
The median age in the city was 38.3 years. 18.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 15.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.3% were from 25 to 44; 26.1% were from 45 to 64; and 15.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.5% male and 52.5% female.
2000 census
At the 2000
There were 7,636 households, of which 28.4 percent had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.4 percent were married couples living together, 12.2 percent had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.1 percent were non-families. 29.7 percent of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.1 percent had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.88.
22.1 percent of the population were under the age of 18, 11.1 percent from 18 to 24, 29.5 percent from 25 to 44, 21.8 percent from 45 to 64, and 15.5 percent who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.4 males.
The
Economy
Biddeford is one of Maine's fastest-growing commercial centers, due to its close proximity to the Seacoast Region of New Hampshire and to northern Massachusetts. In recent years, strip malls have developed along the State Route 111 corridor. In late 2006, a 500,000-square-foot (46,000 m2) shopping center known as The Shops at Biddeford Crossing opened, with 20 stores and five restaurants.
Recent interest in revitalizing the downtown area has brought new life to the old mills. The North Dam Mill is one example of this movement offering retail stores, art studios, cultural events, and upscale housing.
Biddeford is home to large institutions including
Arts and culture
Tourism
Anchoring Biddeford's historic downtown are
Sites of interest
- Biddeford Historical Society
- First Parish Meetinghouse
- McArthur Public Library
- Franco-American Genealogical Society of York County
- City Theater for the Performing Arts
- Biddeford Cultural and Heritage Center
- Biddeford History and Heritage Project//Maine Memory Network
- Biddeford Mills Museum
- Marie Joseph Spiritual Center
Infrastructure
Transportation
Biddeford was the eastern terminus of the now-defunct New England Interstate
Local bus service in Biddeford is provided by
.Notable people
- Cajetan J. B. Baumann O.F.B., AIA, (1899–1969), first member of a religious order to be named to the American Institute of Architects earned an honorary degree from St. Francis College in Biddeford[21]
- Robert Caret, current Chancellor Emeritus of The University System of Maryland and formerly President of the University of Massachusetts[22]
- Ovid Demaris, author[23]
- Susan Deschambault, State Senator[24]
- Brian Dumoulin, NHL Hockey Player[25]
- Ryan Fecteau, State Representative, Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives[26]
- R.A.P. Ferreira, American rapper and producer[27]
- John R. French, U.S. Congressman[28]
- Rachel Griffin-Accurso, better known as Ms. Rachel, American YouTuber, social media personality, songwriter, and educator[29][30]
- Cor van den Heuvel, poet and editor[31]
- Mark Langdon Hill, U.S. Congressman[32]
- Helter Skelter Murders[33]
- Louis B. Lausier, mayor (1941–1955) and candidate for Governor (1948)[34]
- Moses Macdonald, U.S. Congressman[35]
- Hilary F. Mahaney, football player
- Marc Malon, politician[36]
- Prentiss Mellen, U.S. Senator and jurist[37]
- Thomas Bird Mosher, publisher[38]
- Wallace H. Nutting, Four-star general and mayor of Biddeford[39]
- Bernard Osher, businessman and philanthropist[40]
- Freddy Parent, professional baseball player[41]
- Governor of New Hampshire[42]
- Daniel E. Somes, U.S. Congressman and mayor[43]
- Charles A. Shaw, mayor (1865–1866), inventor and entrepreneur[44]
- Bettina Steinke, muralist, was born here in 1913[45]
- Governor of Massachusetts[46]
- George Thatcher, judge and congressman[46][47]
- Joanne Twomey, state representative (1998–2006) and mayor (2006–2011)[48]
- Joan Wasser, singer and songwriter[49]
- Amos Whitney, engineer and inventor[50]
See also
References
- ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 8, 2022.
- ^ "Census - Geography Profile: Biddeford city, Maine". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 8, 2022.
- ^ "History". Good Shepherd Parish. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
- ^ State Street Trust Company. Towns of New England and Old England. Boston, 1921.
- ^ a b Coolidge, Austin J.; John B. Mansfield (1859). A History and Description of New England. Boston, Massachusetts: A.J. Coolidge. pp. 54–56.
coolidge mansfield history description new england 1859.
- ^ "Biddeford, York County - Maine Genealogy". www.mainegenealogy.net. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
- ^ Fort Mary, Biddeford Pool, Down East Magazine, Vol. 51, Issue 4, Nov. 2004, p. 76 Archived 2015-11-17 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Varney, George J. (1886), Gazetteer of the state of Maine. Biddeford, Boston: Russell[permanent dead link]
- ^ "In and About Biddeford". Archived from the original on October 5, 2016. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
- ^ "Biddeford Pool Military Reservation - FortWiki Historic U.S. and Canadian Forts". www.fortwiki.com. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
- ^ "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 12, 2012. Retrieved November 23, 2012.
- ^ "Biddeford, Maine Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase)". Weatherbase. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
- ^ library.umaine.edu Archived 2008-12-20 at the Wayback Machine, retrieved October, 2008.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 23, 2012.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ City of Biddeford website. http://www.biddefordmaine.org/
- ^ NPS-National Register of Historic Places. http://nrhp.focus.nps.gov/natreghome.do Archived 2015-05-06 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ NPS-National Register of Historic Places. http://nrhp.focus.nps.gov/natregsearchresult.do?briefnav=true Archived 2011-10-16 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Hatt, Coley (July 14, 2022). "Singer Eli Lev performs at Flourish Music Cafe in Biddeford". Press Herald. Retrieved September 7, 2023.
- ^ "2023 River Jam & Fringe Fest". heartofbiddeford.org. Retrieved September 7, 2023.
- ^ "A Conversation With UMass President Robert Caret". Radio Boston. Retrieved December 14, 2013.
- ISBN 978-1-349-81366-7.
- ^ "District 32 Sen. Susan Deschambault - Maine State Legislature". legislature.maine.gov. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
- ^ "Brian Dumoulin". Official Site of the Pittsburgh PenguinsAndover Phillips Academy. Retrieved December 14, 2013.
- ^ Office, Clerk's. "Maine House of Representatives: Ryan M. Fecteau". legislature.maine.gov. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
- ^ "Milo Is Building an Indie Rap Empire". www.vulture.com. November 15, 2017. Retrieved June 23, 2019.
- ^ "FRENCH, John Robert, (1819-1890)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
- ^ "Former Maine teacher 'Ms Rachel' posts educational videos for the masses". newscentermaine.com. April 10, 2023. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
- ^ "Ms. Rachel", Wikipedia, November 10, 2023, retrieved November 11, 2023
- ^ "Haiku Writer Cor Van Den Heuval". performance.millikin.edu. Retrieved May 4, 2017.
- ^ "HILL, Mark Langdon, (1772-1842)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved December 14, 2013.
- ^ "Linda Kasabian biography". Bio.True Story. Retrieved December 14, 2013.
- ^ "Louis B. Lausier (1879-1962)". Biddeford History & Heritage Project. Retrieved December 14, 2013.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "MACDONALD, Moses, (1815-1869)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved December 14, 2013.
- ^ "Representative Marc Malon, II". legislature.maine.gov. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
- ^ "MELLEN, Prentiss, (1764-1840)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved December 14, 2013.
- ^ "Thomas Bird Mosher, 1852-1923". Maine State Library. Retrieved December 14, 2013.
- ^ "General Wallace H. Nutting" (PDF). Mission: Readiness. Retrieved December 14, 2013.
- ^ "The Bernard Osher Foundation - Biographies". osherfoundation.org. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
- ^ "Freddy Parent Stats". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved December 14, 2013.
- ^ "New Hampshire Governor Henry Brewer Quinby". National Governors Association. Retrieved December 14, 2013.
- ^ "SOMES, Daniel Eton, (1815-1888)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved December 14, 2013.
- ^ "Charles A ShawBiddeford History & Heritage Project". Retrieved December 14, 2013.[dead link]
- ^ "Art and Influence". Retrieved March 23, 2016.
- ^ a b McArthur Public Library-Biographical Index. http://www.mcarthurpubliclibrary.org/index.php?id=20#s
- ^ McArthur Public Library-Biographical Index. http://biddeford.mainememory.net/slideshow/546/display%3Fuse_mmn=&prev_object_id=1659&prev_object=page.html[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Joanne Twomey Maine.gov". Retrieved December 14, 2013.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Joan Wasser survives as Joan As Police Woman". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved December 14, 2013.
- ^ "Amos Whitney (1832-1920)". Cedar Hill Cemetery Foundation. Retrieved December 14, 2013.
Further reading
- Biddeford History & Heritage Project - A comprehensive history website and exhibit space created by Biddeford's cultural community and hosted by the Maine Memory Network / Maine Historical Society.
- History of Saco and Biddeford by George Folsom. Saco, [Me.] : Printed by A. C. Putnam, 1830. (Courtesy of Google Books)