York, Maine
Encyclopedia : Y : YO : YOR : York, Maine
- This article is about the town in Maine. For other uses, please see York (disambiguation)
History
The first known European to explore York was Martin Pring in 1603, sponsored by his hometown of Bristol, England. Subsequently, pioneers from Bristol settled what Pring termed a "good harbour" about 1630, establishing the "Plantation of Agamenticus" in 1636. "Agamenticus" was the Abenaki name for the York River, meaning "Beyond-the-hill-little-cove." In 1638, the name was changed to "Bristol." Envisioning a great city arising from the wilderness, Sir Ferdinando Gorges, Lord Proprietor of Maine under the Plymouth patent, named the capital of his province "Gorgeana," which by charter of King Charles I became, in 1642, the first incorporated city in America. Following Gorges' death, however, the Massachusetts Bay Company claimed his dominion, and the town of York, Massachusetts would be incorporated in 1652 from a portion of "Gorgeana," making it the second oldest town in Maine. The oldest is Kittery, incorporated two days earlier.
York was named for York, England, where Oliver Cromwell defeated Royalist forces during the English Civil War. The settlement was attacked numerous times by Native Americans, including the Candlemas Massacre of 1692. Once centered on Lindsay Road near the York River, the destroyed community would rebuild on higher ground. It should be noted, however, that Indians were not always the aggressors. Perhaps they were responding to attempts by Massachusetts soldiers to disarm them. Without firearms, on which they had become dependent for hunting, the tribe faced winters of starvation. But whatever the motivation, their final local attack occurred in 1723 at the Cape Neddick area. In 1745, all hostilities encouraged by the French against English settlements during the French and Indian Wars ended with the Battle of Louisburg.
As provincial capital and site of the King's Prison, York prospered. Numerous wharves and warehouses serviced trade with the West Indies. Agricultural products and lumber were shipped in exchange for sugar, molasses and other commodities. One notable merchant was John Hancock, whose establishment is now a museum. Following the Revolution, however, President Thomas Jefferson's embargo crippled trade. York, bereft of status as capitol, would not again be prosperous until after the Civil War, when seabreezes and colonial charm enticed tourism.
York would become, like Bar Harbor and Newport, Rhode Island, a fashionable summer resort, and today contains distinctive examples of Gilded Age architecture, particularly in the Shingle Style. A cluster of historic buildings in the center of the old village are maintained by volunteers and much visited by tourists.
In May of 2006, York endured a flood which left many people with basements flooded.
''House & Building Museums:
- [Emerson-Wilcox House] (1742)
- [Old Goal] (1719)
- [John Hancock Wharf & Warehouse] (1740s)
- [Jefferds' Tavern] (1750)
- [George Marshall Store] (1867)
- [Elizabeth Perkins House] (1730)
- [Ramsdell House] (1744)
- [Sayward-Wheeler House] (c. 1718)
- [Old Schoolhouse] (1745)
\"The Yorks\"
- York Village -- including the historic structures and upscale shops
- York Harbor -- with a number of resorts as well as elegant cottages on the water
- York Beach -- with popular attractions such as arcades, souvenir shops and candy stores
During the summer months, tourists by the thousands, chiefly families, visit Short Sands Beach, which is in York Beach itself, and Long Sands Beach, more than a mile of smooth sand between York Beach and York Harbor. Dozens of motels and other accommodations fill the surrounding area.
Many spots in the Yorks have picturesque views of the historic Cape Neddick Light at Nubble Rock, which has figured in artists' work as well as cheap souvenirs of the Maine coast.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 149.4 km² (57.7 mi²). 142.2 km² (54.9 mi²) of it is land and 7.2 km² (2.8 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 4.82% water. York is drained by the York River. The highest point in town is Mount Agamenticus, with an elevation of 692 feet (211 meters).Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there were 12,854 people, 5,235 households, and 3,690 families residing in the town. The population density was 90.4/km² (234.1/mi²). There were 8,053 housing units at an average density of 56.6/km² (146.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.36% White, 0.25% African American, 0.11% Native American, 0.49% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.19% from other races, and 0.58% from two or more races. 0.72% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 5,235 households out of which 29.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.1% were married couples living together, 7.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.5% were non-families. 24.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.88.
In the town the population was spread out with 22.8% under the age of 18, 4.3% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 30.1% from 45 to 64, and 17.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 91.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.7 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $56,171, and the median income for a family was $65,082. Males had a median income of $49,415 versus $31,743 for females. The per capita income for the town was $30,895. 3.8% of the population and 1.3% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 1.8% of those under the age of 18 and 6.7% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
External links
- [Town of York]
- [Cape Neddick Lighthouse]
- [Haunted York, Maine]
- [History of York, Maine]
- [Mount Agamenticus Park]
- [Old York Historical Society]
- [York Public Library]
- [York School Department]
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