Biddeford is a city in York County, Maine, United States. This is the main commercial center of York County. The population is 21,277 in the 2010 census. Saco's twin cities, Biddeford include the resort community of Biddeford Pool, Fortunes Rocks, and Granite Point. The city is the location of New England University and the annual Franco-Americaine La Kermesse Festival. First visited by Europeans in 1616, it was the site of one of Europe's earliest settlements in the United States.
Biddeford is the main population center of the Portland-South Portland-Biddeford metropolitan area.
Video Biddeford, Maine
Histori
The Abenaki Indians, whose main village is upstream in Pequawket (now Fryeburg), have been hunting and fishing in the area. The first European to settle in Biddeford was Richard Vines's doctor in the winter of 1616-17 in Winter Harbor, when he called Biddeford Pool. The landing of 1616 by the Europeans preceded the Mayflower landing in Plymouth, Massachusetts, (located 100 miles to the south) about four years, a fact that is ignored in much of New England's knowledge. In 1630, the Plymouth Company was awarded the land south of the Swanckadocke River to Dr. Vines and John Oldham. In 1653, the city covered both sides of the river, and was established by the Massachusetts General Court as Saco.
Biddeford was first incorporated as Saco City in 1653. Roger Spencer was granted the right in 1653 to build the first sawmill. Wood and fish become the main export of society. In 1659, Major William Phillips of Boston became the owner, and built a garrison and mill at the waterfall. During the War of King Philip in 1675, the city was attacked by Indians. Settlers retreated to Winter Harbor for safety, and their home and factory upstream at the waterfalls were burned. In 1693, a stone fort was built not far below the waterfall, but the citadel was captured by the Indians in 1703, when 11 colonies were killed and 24 were taken captive to Canada. In 1688, Fort Mary was built near the entrance to Biddeford Pool. The city was reorganized in 1718 as Biddeford, after Bideford, a town in Devon, England, from which some settlers had emigrated. After the Fall of Quebec in 1759, hostilities with the natives ceased.
In 1762, the land to the northeast of the river departed as Pepperellborough, which in 1805 was renamed Saco. The first bridge to Saco was built in 1767. The river is divided into two falls that drop 40 feet (12 m), providing hydro power to the plant. The factory was established to make shoes and shoes. The growing milling town also has granite and brick mines, beside wood and wheat mills. The main textile manufacturing facilities were built along the riverbanks, including the Laconia Company in 1845, and the Pepperell Company in 1850. Biddeford was founded as a city in 1855.
The factories attracted a wave of immigrants, including Ireland, Albania, and France-Canada from the province of Quebec. At one time the textile factories employed 12,000 people, but as elsewhere, the industry is entering a long period of decline. In 2009, the remaining textile company in town, WestPoint Home, was closed. Property occupying the plant has been sold and is being redeveloped into new housing and business. The last log was down the Saco River in 1943, with the last log log in 1948. Biddeford's name is engraved near the top of The Pilgrim Monument, in Provincetown, Massachusetts, along with the names of some of New England's oldest towns and cities.
During World War II, the Biddeford Pool Military Reservation was established from 1942 to 1945, in what is now called the Abenakee Golf Club. It has four circular concrete platforms called "Panama mounts" for 155 mm rifles, three of which are fixed today.
Maps Biddeford, Maine
Geography
Biddeford is located on 43Ã, à ° 28? 27? N 70Ã, à ° 26? 46? W (43.474111, -70.446157). According to the US Census Bureau, the city has a total area of ââ59.08 square miles (153.02 km 2 ), which is 30.09 square miles (77.93 km 2 ) is ground and 28.99 square miles (75.08 km 2 ) is water. Located beside Saco Bay in Maine Bay, Biddeford is drained by Little River and Saco River. The city has a very diverse geography, ranging from hillsides leading inland, to city settlements, to coastal sprawls.
The city is crossed by Interstate 95, US Route 1, and state routes 5, 9, 111, and 208. It borders Saco to the north, Atlantic Ocean to the east, the cities of Dayton and Lyman to the west, and Kennebunkport and Arundel in the south. The Little River forms part of the border between Biddeford and the Goose Rocks neighborhood of Kennebunkport, in the southernmost region of Bintereford (Granite Point). East Point, located on the Biddeford Pool peninsula, is the easternmost point in York County.
Timber Island, the southernmost point in Biddeford Town, is located on Goosefare Bay at the mouth of the Little River, and is accessible during low tide from Goose Rocks Beach in Kennebunkport. The island and most of the adjacent Timber Point become part of the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge in December 2011.
The city has nearly 15 miles (24 km) from the front line along the Saco River, and the Atlantic coastline where the coastal environments 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.
While Maine (on the whole) is politically and daily known as part of Northern New England, Biddeford's geography technically places it more in line with Central New England.
Bidderford's Field Title: Jarak Dari Regional:
- Portland, Maine: 15 mil (24 km)
- Portsmouth, New Hampshire: 30 mil (48 km)
- Salisbury, Massachusetts: 48 mil (77 km)
- Lynn, Massachusetts: 76 mil (123 km)
- Manchester, New Hampshire: 78 mil (125 km)
- Boston, Massachusetts: 85 mil (140 km)
- Worcester, Massachusetts: 120 mil (200 km)
- Providence, Rhode Island: 147 mil (237a, km)
- Bangor, Maine: 150 mil (242 km)
- Hartford, Connecticut: 187 mil (301a, km)
- Stamford, Connecticut: 255 mil (410 km)
- Kota New York, New York: 285 mil (459 km)
- Fort Kent, Maine: 330 mil (531 km)
- MontrÃÆ'à © al, QuÃÆ'à © bec: 335 mil (540 km)
- Baltimore, Maryland: 490 mil (791 km)
Iklim
This climate area is characterized by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm summers to hot (and often humid) and winter (sometimes very cold). According to the K̮'̦ppen Climate Classification system, Biddeford has a humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfb" on the climate map.
Demographics
census 2010
In the 2010 census, there were 21,277 people, 8,598 households and 4,972 families living in the city. Population density was 707.1 people per square mile (273.0/km 2 ). There are 10,064 housing units with an average density of 334.5 per square mile (129.2/km 2 ). City's racial makeup is 97.8% White, 1.0% African American, 0.5% Native Americans, 1.7% Asian, 0.4% of other races, and 1.6% of two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of each race is 1.7% of the population.
There are 8,598 households 27.3% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.4% are married couples living together, 12.3% have unmarried female households present, 5.1% have a home male ladder without wife presence, and 42.2% not family. 30.0% of all households are made up of individuals and 11.1% have someone living alone 65 or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.84.
The average age in the city is 38.3 years. 18.7% of the population is under 18 years of age; 15.4% were between 18 and 24; 24.3% are from 25 to 44; 26.1% are from 45 to 64; and 15.3% are 65 years old or older. The urban gender structure is 47.5% male and 52.5% female.
census 2000
In the 2000 census, there were 20,942 people, 8,636 households and 5,259 families living in the city. Population density was 697.8 per square mile (269.4/km ò). There are 9,631 housing units with an average density of 320.9 per square mile (123.9/km²). City's racial makeup is 96.65 percent White, 0.64 percent African American, 0.40 percent Native American, 0.99 percent Asian, 0.03 percent Pacific Island, 0.18 percent of other races, and 1.12 percent of two or more races. Hispanic or Latino from any race is 0.65 percent of the population.
There are 7,636 households that 28.4 percent have children under 18 living with them, 44.4 percent are married couples living together, 12.2 percent have non-husbands female households, and 39.1 percent are not family. 29.7 per cent of all households were made up of individuals and 11.1 per cent had someone living alone 65 or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.88.
22.1 percent of the population is under 18 years old, 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 aged 65 or older. The mean age is 36 years. For every 100 women, there are 88.2 males. For every 100 women age 18 and over, there are 84.4 men.
The average household income is $ 37,164 and the average family income is $ 44,109. Men have an average income of $ 32,008 versus $ 24,715 for women. The per capita income for the city is $ 18,214. About 8.6 percent of families and 13.8 percent of the population are below the poverty line, including 19.8 percent of those under the age of 18 and 10.3 percent of those aged 65 and older.
Economy
Biddeford is one of the fastest growing commercial centers in Maine, as it is close to the New Hampshire Sea Coast Region and to northern Massachusetts. In recent years, strip malls have evolved along the Route 111 State corridor. In late 2006, a 500,000 square foot (46,000 m 2 ) shopping center known as The Shops at Biddeford Crossing opened with 20 stores and five restaurants.
The recent interest in revitalizing downtown areas has brought new life to old factories. The North Dam Mill is one example of this movement that offers retail stores, art studios, cultural events, and upscale housing.
Biddeford is home to major institutions including Southern Maine Health Care and the University of New England, a fast growing school along the coast that includes the only medical school in Maine, the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine. The city also has a range of community facilities including a public beach, ice rink, full-service YMCA, and one recently recognized school of National Excellence School.
Art and culture
Tourism â ⬠<â â¬
Saving Biddeford's historic city center is McArthur Public Library and Biddeford Town Theater. Biddeford has a number of properties and two Historic Districts go to the National Register of Historic Places. The newest addition is the Main Street Historic District, entered into the National Register on 24 December 2009. Other National downtown properties include Biddeford-Saco Mills Historic District, Biddeford City Hall, Dudley Block and US Post Office. National Register properties outside the city center and in the Biddeford Pool area include John Tarr House, First Parish Meetinghouse, Fletcher Neck Lifesaving Station and James Montgomery Flagg House.
Recently, a thriving arts community has emerged in Biddeford, with Engine, a nonprofit art organization working to foster a creative community. Several microbreweries have been established in Biddeford, the established Run of the Mill, have joined the beer company Banded Horn and Dirigo.
Infrastructure
Transportation
Biddeford is the eastern end of the now dead 11th New England Interstate 11 route, which ends in Manchester, Vermont. State Route 111, which travels through Biddeford's main commercial corridor, now numbered on the Old Route 11's place. Biddeford Municipal Airport is located two miles south of the central business district. Though technically at Saco, Biddeford-Saco Amtrak stopped serving downtown Biddeford.
Postal service
The municipality has three post offices on its border, with ZIP code 04005, 04006 and 04007.
Famous people
- Cajetan J. B. Baumann O.F.B., AIA, (1899-1969), the first member of a religious order to be named to the American Institute of Architects earned the honorary title of St. Francis College in Biddeford
- Robert Caret, Chancellor of University University of Maryland's current University and former President of the University of Massachusetts
- Ovid Demaris, author
- Susan Deschambault, State Senator
- Brian Dumoulin, hockey player
- Ryan Fecteau, Country Representative
- John R. France, Member of US Congress
- Martin Grohman, Country Representative
- Cor van den Heuvel, poet and editor
- Mark Langdon Hill, Member of US Congress
- Linda Kasabian, a former member of the Manson Family who was involved in the Helter Skelter Murder
- Louis B. Lausier, mayor (1941-1955) and candidate for Governor (1948)
- Matt Lauzon, entrepreneur and activist
- Moses Macdonald, Member of US Congress
- Hilary F. Mahaney, soccer player
- Prentiss Mellen, Senator and US law expert
- Thomas Bird Mosher, publisher
- Wallace H. Nutting, General and Biddeford four-star mayor
- Bernard Osher, entrepreneur and philanthropist.
- Freddy Parent, professional baseball player
- Henry B. Quinby, doctor and 52 New Hampshire Governor
- Daniel E. Somes, US Congressman and mayor
- Charles A. Shaw, mayor (1865-66), inventor and entrepreneur â â¬
- Bettina Steinke, a muralist, was born here in 1913.
- James Sullivan, jurist and 7th governor of Massachusetts
- George Thatcher, judge and congressman
- Joanne Twomey, country representative (1998-2006) and mayor (2006-2011)
- Joan Wasser, singer and songwriter
- Amos Whitney, engineer and inventor
In popular culture
The first part of Black Mirror II, the 2009 PC adventure game developed by Cranberry Production, takes place in Biddeford.
Sites of interest
- Biddeford Historical Society
- Society of the Franco-American District of York County
- City Theater for the Performing Arts
- La Kermesse Franco-Americaine Festival
- Biddeford's heart
- Biddeford-Saco Buy Local
- Biddeford Saco Chamber of Commerce
See also
- Franco-American Portal
- Neal Manufacturing Company
References
Further reading
- Biddeford & amp; Heritage Project - A complete historical website and exhibition space created by the Biddeford cultural community and hosted by Maine Memory Network/Maine Historical Society.
- The history of Saco and Biddeford by George Folsom. Saco, [Me.] Ã,: Printed by A. C. Putnam, 1830. (Source from Google Books)
External links
- Biddeford City, Maine
- McArthur Public Library
- Biddeford in Maine.gov
- New England University
Source of the article : Wikipedia