Rockland, Maine

Rockland is a city in Knox County, Maine, in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 7,297. It is the county seat of Knox County.[4] The city is a popular tourist destination. It is a departure point for the Maine State Ferry Service to the islands of Penobscot Bay: Vinalhaven, North Haven and Matinicus.

Rockland, Maine
City
Rockland Downtown
Seal
Nickname(s): 
Vacationland
Motto(s): 
God Gives a Reward to Industry
Location in Knox County and the state of Maine.
Rockland, Maine
Location in the United States
Coordinates: 44°6′34″N 69°6′53″W
CountryUnited States
StateMaine
CountyKnox
Incorporated (town)July 28, 1848
Incorporated (city)1854
Government
 • MayorLisa Westkaemper
Area
 • Total15.07 sq mi (39.03 km2)
 • Land12.84 sq mi (33.26 km2)
 • Water2.23 sq mi (5.77 km2)
Elevation
23 ft (7 m)
Population
 • Total7,297
 • Estimate 
(2019)[3]
7,165
 • Density557.93/sq mi (215.43/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP code
04841
Area code(s)207
FIPS code23-63590
GNIS feature ID0574358
Websiterocklandmaine.gov

History

Abenaki Indians called it Catawamteak, meaning "great landing place." In 1767, John Lermond and his two brothers from Warren built a camp to produce oak staves and pine lumber. Thereafter known as Lermond's Cove, it was first settled about 1769. When in 1777 Thomaston was incorporated, Lermond's Cove became a district called Shore village. On July 28, 1848, it was set off as the town of East Thomaston. Renamed Rockland in 1850, it was chartered as a city in 1854.[5]

Vessel launching c. 1900
Rockland-Rockport Lime Co. c. 1912

Rockland developed rapidly because of shipbuilding and lime production. In 1854 alone, the city built eleven ships, three barks, six brigs and four schooners. The city had twelve lime quarries and 125 lime kilns, with upwards of 300 vessels to transport the mineral to various ports in the country.[6]

In March 1877, the Granite Cutters' International Union was formed in Rockland. It was one of the earliest craft unions in the United States and formed among the region's growing granite industry.

By 1886, shipbuilding was surpassed by the lime business, which had twelve manufacturers employing 1,000 workers. Nevertheless, Rockland had three or more shipyards, a marine railway, five sail lofts and two boatbuilders. Other industries included three grain mills, two foundries, three carriage factories, six lumber mills, two machine shops, three cooperies, one tannery, four granite and marble works, two boot and shoe factories, and four printing offices. Fishing was also important. Fleets of Friendship Sloops sailed between the harbor and fishing grounds across Penobscot Bay.[7]

The opening of the Knox and Lincoln Railroad in 1871 brought an influx of tourists. Inns and hotels were established to accommodate them, with the grandest being The Bay Point Hotel in 1889. With a commanding view near the breakwater, the resort offered every luxury and amusement. Renamed The Samoset Hotel in 1902, it was successful until the Great Depression, which began a slow decline. In the age of automobiles, travelers were no longer restricted to the limits of train service, but were free to explore elsewhere. Closed in 1969, the Victorian hotel burned in 1972. A new Samoset Resort opened in 1974.[8]

In 1915, the new superdreadnought USS Nevada (BB-36) conducted tests and completed her running trials just off the shore from Rockland.[9][10]

Today, Rockland is an officially designated micropolitan area. Since the early 1990s, Rockland has seen a shift in its economy away from the fishery and toward a service center city. It has also seen a substantial increase in tourism and the downtown has transformed into one of unique shops, boutiques, fine dining and art galleries. Rockland is the commercial center of the midcoast Maine region, with many historic inns, a coffee roaster, a food co-op, a community radio station WRFR-LP, the Farnsworth Art Museum and the Center for Maine Contemporary Art (CMCA). On March 13, 2017 the Rockland City Council approved a resolve to support community diversity. Rockland was named a Coast Guard City in March 2008, in recognition of the long-standing and special relationship that the city and its residents have with the United States Coast Guard.[11][12][13]

  • General view c. 1908
  • Tillson's Wharf c. 1908
  • Main Street in 1915
  • Rockland Maine Central Railroad station, ca. 1910

Attractions

Rockland is home to the Maine Lobster Festival, a celebration held annually in honor of the town's primary export: lobster. In the first week of August, thousands of people come from all over the world to participate in this five-day event.[14] Rockland also is home to the Center for Maine Contemporary Art, designed by internationally recognized architect Toshiko Mori, and the Farnsworth Art Museum, a world-famous art museum containing paintings by Andrew Wyeth and other well-known New England artists. Rockland's main street also features numerous small shops and businesses including coffee shops, book stores, art supply stores, restaurants, organic markets, computer repair and toy stores. Penobscot Bay, which Rockland borders, is known internationally as one of the best recreational sailing grounds in the world. The city's breakwater, built in the 19th century, also draws tourists.

Geography
Welcome to Rockland

Rockland is located at 44°6′34″N 69°6′53″W (44.109569, -69.114652).[15]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 15.07 square miles (39.03 km2), of which 12.84 square miles (33.26 km2) is land and 2.23 square miles (5.78 km2) is water.[16] Rockland is located on Penobscot Bay and the Gulf of Maine, part of the Atlantic Ocean. About ten miles to the east are the islands of North Haven and Vinalhaven, reached by ferry from Rockland.

Rockland is crossed by U.S. 1 and 1A, and state routes 17, 73 and 90. It borders the towns of Owls Head to the southeast, Thomaston to the southwest, Warren to the northwest, and Rockport to the northeast.

Climate

The coldest month is January and the warmest month is July.

Climate data for Rockland, Maine
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 58
(14)		 61
(16)		 74
(23)		 80
(27)		 95
(35)		 94
(34)		 96
(36)		 93
(34)		 90
(32)		 82
(28)		 74
(23)		 63
(17)		 96
(36)
Average high °F (°C) 30
(−1)		 33
(1)		 40
(4)		 52
(11)		 62
(17)		 71
(22)		 76
(24)		 76
(24)		 68
(20)		 57
(14)		 47
(8)		 36
(2)		 54
(12)
Daily mean °F (°C) 20
(−7)		 24
(−4)		 31
(−1)		 43
(6)		 53
(12)		 62
(17)		 68
(20)		 67
(19)		 59
(15)		 48
(9)		 39
(4)		 27
(−3)		 45
(7)
Average low °F (°C) 10
(−12)		 14
(−10)		 22
(−6)		 33
(1)		 43
(6)		 53
(12)		 59
(15)		 58
(14)		 50
(10)		 39
(4)		 30
(−1)		 18
(−8)		 36
(2)
Record low °F (°C) −22
(−30)		 −20
(−29)		 −11
(−24)		 10
(−12)		 21
(−6)		 30
(−1)		 43
(6)		 37
(3)		 28
(−2)		 19
(−7)		 4
(−16)		 −25
(−32)		 −25
(−32)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 4.26
(108)		 4.00
(102)		 4.80
(122)		 5.02
(128)		 4.14
(105)		 4.06
(103)		 3.43
(87)		 3.28
(83)		 4.51
(115)		 5.14
(131)		 5.71
(145)		 4.99
(127)		 53.34
(1,356)
Source: weather.com[17]

Demographics
Rockland and Rockland Harbor from Owls Head Transportation Museum's Stearman Biplane
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18505,052—
18607,31644.8%
18707,074−3.3%
18807,5997.4%
18908,1747.6%
19008,150−0.3%
19108,1740.3%
19208,100−0.9%
19309,07512.0%
19408,899−1.9%
19509,2844.3%
19608,769−5.5%
19708,505−3.0%
19807,919−6.9%
19907,9720.7%
20007,609−4.6%
20107,297−4.1%
2019 (est.)7,165[3]−1.8%
U.S. Decennial Census

2010 census

As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 7,297 people, 3,423 households, and 1,744 families living in the city. The population density was 568.3 inhabitants per square mile (219.4/km2). There were 3,925 housing units at an average density of 305.7 per square mile (118.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 95.8% White, 0.6% African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.2% from other races, and 2.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.3% of the population.

There were 3,423 households, of which 23.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.2% were married couples living together, 12.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 49.1% were non-families. 40.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.06 and the average family size was 2.73.

The median age in the city was 43.5 years. 18.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.8% were from 25 to 44; 28.5% were from 45 to 64; and 19.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.5% male and 53.5% female.

2000 census

As of the census[18] of 2000, there were 7,609 people, 3,434 households, and 1,943 families living in the city. The population density was 589.2 people per square mile (227.6/km2). There were 3,752 housing units at an average density of 290.5 per square mile (112.2/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 97.90% White, 0.25% African American, 0.24% Native American, 0.57% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.11% from other races, and 0.92% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.57% of the population.

There were 3,434 households, out of which 25.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.4% were married couples living together, 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.4% were non-families. 36.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.2% 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 2.78.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 21.1% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 27.3% from 25 to 44, 23.8% from 45 to 64, and 19.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $30,209, and the median income for a family was $37,083. Males had a median income of $27,212 versus $20,708 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,659. About 10.4% of families and 14.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.2% of those under age 18 and 8.2% of those age 65 or over.

Voter registration

Voter Registration and Party Enrollment as of November 2012[19]
Party Total Voters Percentage
Unenrolled 1,732 36.02%
Democratic 1,576 32.77%
Republican 1,294 26.91%
Green Independent 206 4.28%
Total 4,808 100%

Education

Transportation

U.S. Route 1 passes through the county from the west and to the north. Maine State Route 17 goes north from the town, and Maine State Route 73 goes from the town, to the peninsula to the south.

Until 1958, the Rockland was the terminus for Maine Central Railroad passenger trains from Portland, along the Rockland Branch from Brunswick. The Maine Central Railroad ran three trains a day on the days besides Sunday and fewer trains on Sunday. In Portland's Union Station, these trains made connections to trains to Boston, New York City, Bangor and the Canadian Maritimes.[20] In the final months, service diminished to one daily except Sunday trip in each direction, until finally discontinuing on April 4, 1959.[21]

From 2003 to 2015, the Maine Eastern Railroad offered seasonal excursion service to Rockland, Maine which connected to Amtrak's Downeaster at Brunswick. In October 2017, the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority announced plans to extend one weekend Downeaster round trip to Rockland between Memorial Day and Labor Day beginning in 2018. Intermediate stops would be made at Bath, Wiscasset, and Newcastle.[22] As part of preparation, Amtrak, along with the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority, Maine Department of Transportation and the Central Maine and & Quebec Railroad, made a test run of a train on August 14.[23]

Sites of interest
Rockland Public Library, built 1903–1904, is a Carnegie library designed by George Albert Clough (1843-1910)

Notable people
Rockland Breakwater Light, from the base of the breakwater

References
  1. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 25, 2020.
  2. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-11-23.
  3. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  4. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  5. Maine League of Historical Societies and Museums (1970). Doris A. Isaacson (ed.). Maine: A Guide 'Down East'. Rockland, Me: Courier-Gazette, Inc. pp. 261–262.
  6. Coolidge, Austin J.; John B. Mansfield (1859). A History and Description of New England. Boston, Massachusetts: A.J. Coolidge. pp. 284–285. coolidge mansfield history description new england 1859.
  7. Varney, George J. (1886). "Gazetteer of the state of Maine. Rockland". Boston: Russell. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  8. "Samoset Resort History". Archived from the original on 2010-04-28. Retrieved 2010-05-09.
  9. "Mightiest U.S. Ship Coming" (PDF). The New York Times: 9. September 19, 1915.
  10. "Nevada Meets Tests; New Superdreadnought easily fills contract requirements" (PDF). The New York Times: 6. November 8, 1915.
  11. "Rockland Coast Guard City, Rockland, Maine, One of 9 USA Coast Guard Cities". Archived from the original on 2010-06-09. Retrieved 2010-05-09.
  12. Robicheau, Leanne M. (July 5, 2006). Bangor Daily News https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2457&dat=20060705&id=dwU1AAAAIBAJ&pg=1463,1049057. Retrieved 2010-05-09. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  13. "Coast Guard City Designation for Rockland, Maine". Retrieved 2010-05-09.
  14. "66th Annual Celebration of All Things Lobster, July 31 - August 4, 2013 in Rockland, Maine". Maine Lobster Festival. August 5, 2012. Retrieved October 18, 2012.
  15. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  16. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2012-01-25. Retrieved 2012-11-23.
  17. "Monthly Averages for Rockland, Maine". Weather.com. The Weather Channel. Retrieved August 15, 2013.
  18. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  19. "Registration and Party Enrollment Statistics as of November 6, 2012" (PDF). Maine Bureau of Corporations.
  20. "Maine Central Railroad, Table 3". Official Guide of the Railways. National Railway Publication Company. 91 (3). August 1958.
  21. "Maine Central Railroad, Table 3". Official Guide of the Railways. National Railway Publication Company. 91 (11). April 1959.
  22. Abbate, Lauren (October 24, 2017). "Rail group eyes Amtrak service to Rockland by summer 2018". Bangor Daily News. Retrieved October 25, 2017.
  23. Stephen Betts, 'Train backers ride rails to Rockland,' 'Rockland-Camden-Know-Courier-Gazette, August 15, 2019 https://knox.villagesoup.com/p/train-backers-ride-rails-to-rockland/1828630?fbclid=IwAR3uXeOJevwF1SIQYQmKZiKXlUzp1qjn83IEBLxNR03ry396cPKANkNU2YU
  24. Treese, Joel D.. Biographical directory of the American Congress, 1774-1996: the Continental Congress, September 5, 1774, to October 21, 1788, and the Congress of the United States, from the First through the 104th Congress, March 4, 1789, to January 3, 1997. Alexandria, Va.: CQ Staff Directories, Inc., 1997. Print.
  25. Gale, Thomas (December 16, 2007). "Todd Field Biography". Contemporary Authors.

21. Rockville/Manchester, CT Journal Inquirer, 1980–2015, Courier Gazette 1946, Portland Press Herald 1970, United States Census Bureau

22. Codline's Child, written by Wilbert Snow, History of the State of Connecticut

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