Islesboro, Maine

Islesboro is a town in Waldo County, Maine, United States. The population was 566 at the 2010 census. It has a summer colony accessible by ferry from Lincolnville Beach three miles to the west, by private boat, or by air taxi service. Home to Warren Island State Park, Islesboro includes the village of Dark Harbor.

Islesboro, Maine
Town
Pendleton Point
Location of Islesboro (in yellow) in Waldo County and the state of Maine
Coordinates: 44°18′30″N 68°54′12″W
CountryUnited States
StateMaine
CountyWaldo
Incorporated1789
Area
 • Total68.88 sq mi (178.40 km2)
 • Land14.29 sq mi (37.01 km2)
 • Water54.59 sq mi (141.39 km2)
Elevation
30 ft (9 m)
Population
 • Total566
 • Estimate 
(2012[3])
568
 • Density39.6/sq mi (15.3/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP Code
04848
Area code(s)207
FIPS code23-35240
GNIS feature ID0582531
Websitewww.townofislesboro.com

History

The Penobscot people called it Pitaubegwimenahanuk, meaning "the island that lies between two channels." Situated in upper Penobscot Bay, the narrow, 14-mile island is the marker between East and West Penobscot Bay. It was part of the Waldo Patent. First called Long Island Plantation, it was settled in 1769. It was incorporated as Islesborough on January 28, 1789, although over time the spelling was contracted to Islesboro.[4]

With many harbors and coves, the island was home to the largest commercial shipping fleet in the bay during the 19th century. Following the Civil War, however, Islesboro developed as a Gilded Age resort community, and many large summer homes were built by the wealthy. Their large yachts cruised and raced throughout the Gulf of Maine. The town remains an upper-class enclave and summer colony.[5]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 68.88 square miles (178.40 km2), of which 14.29 square miles (37.01 km2) is land and 54.59 square miles (141.39 km2) is water.[1]

There is one large pond, called Meadow Pond, in the Northern portion of the Island, the work of beavers that have dammed a narrow place. Ice was once harvested from this pond for export to places as far away as India. Hewes Point was named for Paola Hewes, an early pioneer settler.[6]

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, Islesboro has a humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfb" on climate maps.[7]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
1830674—
184077715.3%
185098426.6%
18601,27629.7%
18701,230−3.6%
18801,208−1.8%
18901,006−16.7%
1900923−8.3%
1910877−5.0%
1920637−27.4%
19306979.4%
19407183.0%
1950529−26.3%
1960444−16.1%
1970421−5.2%
198052123.8%
199057911.1%
20006034.1%
2010566−6.1%
2014 (est.)568[8]0.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]

2010 census

As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 566 people, 270 households, and 161 families living in the town. The population density was 39.6 inhabitants per square mile (15.3/km2). There were 850 housing units at an average density of 59.5 per square mile (23.0/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 97.9% White, 0.7% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.5% from other races, and 0.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.9% of the population.

There were 270 households, of which 20.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.7% were married couples living together, 7.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.4% were non-families. Of all households 34.4% were made up of individuals, and 15.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.07 and the average family size was 2.57.

The median age in the town was 52.1 years. 17.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 3.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 17.4% were from 25 to 44; 37.5% were from 45 to 64; and 24.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 48.2% male and 51.8% female.

2000 census

As of the census[10] of 2000, there were 603 people, 280 households, and 176 families living in the town. The population density was 42.3 people per square mile (16.3/km2). There were 741 housing units at an average density of 52.0 per square mile (20.1/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 98.18% White, 0.17% African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.50% from other races, and 0.83% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.33% of the population.

There were 280 households, out of which 25.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.2% were married couples living together, 5.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.8% were non-families. Of all households 30.7% were made up of individuals, and 13.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.15 and the average family size was 2.69.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 20.2% under the age of 18, 3.3% from 18 to 24, 25.4% from 25 to 44, 31.2% from 45 to 64, and 19.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.1 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $39,643, and the median income for a family was $48,750. Males had a median income of $35,000 versus $24,750 for females. The per capita income for the town was $25,653. About 5.5% of families and 7.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.3% of those under age 18 and 9.7% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Islesboro Central School is one of four island schools in Maine that cover all grades (K–12), the others being North Haven, Vinalhaven, and Mount Desert Island. It is also unique that it allows mainland students to pay tuition to attend from grades 5 through 12.[11][12][13] The "magnet" students, and some teachers, who live on the mainland take the ferry across every morning where they are met with a school bus to take them to school. Students come from a range of midcoast towns to attend ICS. The number of the students in the school fluctuates, but is around 100 students in kindergarten through 12th grade.

The school is a member of the Busline League for middle school sports, and is in Class D, South, in the Maine Principals' Association. The competitive sports offered through the school include cross country running, sailing, soccer, basketball, and Ultimate Frisbee.

Sites of interest
Grindel Point Light
  • Grindle Point Light[14]
  • Islesboro Historical Society & Museum[15]
  • Sailors' Memorial Museum, located in the former keepers' house at Grindel Point Lighthouse
  • Spragues Beach located near Turtle Head
  • Warren Island State Park[16]
  • Islesboro Community Center[17]
  • The Tarratine Yacht Club
  • The Dark Harbor Shop (DHS)

Notable people

See also

References
  1. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2012-12-20. Retrieved 2012-12-16.
  2. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-12-16.
  3. "Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2013-06-11. Retrieved 2013-07-06.
  4. Coolidge, Austin J.; John B. Mansfield (1859). A History and Description of New England. Boston, Massachusetts: A.J. Coolidge. pp. 162–163. coolidge mansfield history description new england 1859.
  5. Varney, George J. (1886). "Islesborough". Gazetteer of the state of Maine. Boston: Russell.
  6. Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 155.
  7. Climate Summary for Islesboro, Maine
  8. "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.
  9. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  10. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  11. http://bangordailynews.com/2011/11/18/education/mainland-students-pulled-to-island-school/
  12. http://www.maineboats.com/print/issue-133/waterycommute
  13. http://www.islandjournal.com/articles/islesboro-schools-island-magnetism/
  14. Grindel Point Light
  15. Islesboro Historical Society & Museum
  16. Warren Island State Park
  17. Islesboro Community Center
  18. Kirstie Alley
  19. Ruth Draper
  20. Tour John Travolta and Kelly Preston's Shingle Style Home in Maine | Architectural Digest Retrieved 2017-04-27.
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