Waterville | |
---|---|
Nickname: Elm City | |
Coordinates: 44°33′7″N69°38′45″W / 44.55194°N 69.64583°W | |
Country | United States |
State | Maine |
County | Kennebec |
Incorporated (town) | June 23, 1802 |
Incorporated | January 12, 1888 |
Government | |
• Type | Mayor and council-manager |
• Body | Waterville City Council |
• Mayor | Jay Coelho |
• City Manager | Stephen J. Daly |
Area | |
• Total | 14.01 sq mi (36.28 km2) |
• Land | 13.53 sq mi (35.05 km2) |
• Water | 0.47 sq mi (1.23 km2) |
Elevation | 108 ft (33 m) |
Population (2020) | |
• Total | 15,828 |
• Density | 1,169.67/sq mi (451.60/km2) |
Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern (EST)) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
ZIP Code | 04901 |
Area code | 207 |
FIPS code | 23-80740 |
GNIS feature ID | 0577893 |
Website | www |
Waterville is a city in Kennebec County, Maine, United States, on the west bank of the Kennebec River. A college town, the city is home to Colby College, a NESCAC college, and Thomas College.
As of the 2020 census the population was 15,828. [2] Along with Augusta, Waterville is one of the principal cities of the Augusta-Waterville, ME Micropolitan Statistical Area.
The area now known as Waterville was once inhabited by the Canibas tribe of the Abenaki people. Called "Taconnet" after Chief Taconnet, the main village was located on the east bank of the Kennebec River at its confluence with the Sebasticook River at what is now Winslow. Known as "Ticonic" by English settlers, it was burned in 1692 during King William's War, after which the Canibas tribe abandoned the area. Fort Halifax was built by General John Winslow in 1754, and the last skirmish with indigenous peoples occurred on May 18, 1757. [3]
The township would be organized as Kingfield Plantation, then incorporated as Winslow in 1771. When residents on the west side of the Kennebec found themselves unable to cross the river to attend town meetings, Waterville was founded from the western parts of Winslow and incorporated on June 23, 1802. In 1824 a bridge was built joining the communities. Early industries included fishing, lumbering, agriculture and ship building, with larger boats launched in spring during freshets. By the early 1900s, there were five shipyards in the community. [4]
Ticonic Falls blocked navigation farther upriver, so Waterville developed as the terminus for trade and shipping. The Kennebec River and Messalonskee Stream provided water power for mills, including several sawmills, a gristmill, a sash and blind factory, a furniture factory, and a shovel handle factory. There was also a carriage and sleigh factory, boot shop, brickyard, and tannery. On September 27, 1849, the Androscoggin and Kennebec Railroad opened to Waterville. It would become part of the Maine Central Railroad, which in 1870 established locomotive and car repair shops in the thriving mill town. West Waterville (renamed Oakland) was set off as a town in 1873. Waterville was incorporated as a city on January 12, 1888. [5]
The Ticonic Water Power & Manufacturing Company was formed in 1866 and soon built a dam across the Kennebec. After a change of ownership in 1873, the company began construction on what would become the Lockwood Manufacturing Company, a cotton textile plant. A second mill was added, and by 1900 the firm dominated the riverfront and employed 1,300 workers. Lockwood Mills survived until the mid-1950s. The iron Waterville-Winslow Footbridge opened in 1901, as a means for Waterville residents to commute to Winslow for work in the Hollingsworth & Whitney Co. and Wyandotte Worsted Co. mills, but in less than a year was carried away by the highest river level since 1832. Rebuilt in 1903, it would be called the Two Cent Bridge because of its toll. [6] In 1902, the Beaux-Arts style City Hall and Opera House designed by George Gilman Adams was dedicated. In 2002, the C.F. Hathaway Company, one of the last remaining factories in the United States producing high-end dress shirts, was purchased by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway company and was closed after over 160 years of operation in the city. [6]
Waterville also developed as an educational center. In 1813, the Maine Literary and Theological Institution was established. It would be renamed Waterville College in 1821, then Colby College in 1867. Thomas College was established in 1894. The Latin School was founded in 1820 to prepare students to attend Colby and other colleges, and was subsequently named Waterville Academy, Waterville Classical Institute, and Coburn Classical Institute; the Institute merged with the Oak Grove School in Vassalboro in 1970, and remained open until 1989. The first public high school was built in 1877, while the current Waterville Senior High School was built in 1961. [3]
Waterville is in northern Kennebec County, in central Maine, at 44°33′07″N69°38′45″W / 44.552051°N 69.645839°W . [7] Its northern boundary is the Somerset County line.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 14.05 square miles (36.39 km2), of which 13.58 square miles (35.17 km2) is land and 0.47 square miles (1.22 km2), or 3.36%, is water. [8] Situated beside the Kennebec River, Waterville is drained by the Messalonskee Stream.
Waterville is served by Interstate 95, U.S. Route 201, and Maine State Routes 137 and 104. It is bordered by Fairfield on the north in Somerset County, Winslow on the east, Sidney on the south and Oakland on the west.
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, Waterville has a humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfb" on climate maps. [9]
Climate data for Waterville, Maine, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1896–present | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °F (°C) | 61 (16) | 63 (17) | 84 (29) | 92 (33) | 98 (37) | 98 (37) | 101 (38) | 101 (38) | 96 (36) | 90 (32) | 75 (24) | 67 (19) | 101 (38) |
Mean maximum °F (°C) | 49.8 (9.9) | 49.7 (9.8) | 58.4 (14.7) | 74.0 (23.3) | 85.1 (29.5) | 89.7 (32.1) | 91.1 (32.8) | 90.2 (32.3) | 86.4 (30.2) | 75.1 (23.9) | 64.4 (18.0) | 53.2 (11.8) | 93.1 (33.9) |
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 28.5 (−1.9) | 31.8 (−0.1) | 40.3 (4.6) | 53.4 (11.9) | 65.8 (18.8) | 74.7 (23.7) | 80.1 (26.7) | 79.5 (26.4) | 71.7 (22.1) | 58.7 (14.8) | 46.1 (7.8) | 34.5 (1.4) | 55.4 (13.0) |
Daily mean °F (°C) | 18.7 (−7.4) | 20.9 (−6.2) | 30.4 (−0.9) | 42.9 (6.1) | 54.5 (12.5) | 63.9 (17.7) | 69.6 (20.9) | 68.5 (20.3) | 60.6 (15.9) | 48.5 (9.2) | 37.4 (3.0) | 25.9 (−3.4) | 45.2 (7.3) |
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 8.8 (−12.9) | 9.9 (−12.3) | 20.5 (−6.4) | 32.2 (0.1) | 43.2 (6.2) | 53.1 (11.7) | 59.1 (15.1) | 57.4 (14.1) | 49.5 (9.7) | 38.4 (3.6) | 28.7 (−1.8) | 17.2 (−8.2) | 34.8 (1.6) |
Mean minimum °F (°C) | −11.7 (−24.3) | −8.8 (−22.7) | −0.9 (−18.3) | 20.4 (−6.4) | 31.1 (−0.5) | 41.6 (5.3) | 49.6 (9.8) | 46.8 (8.2) | 35.6 (2.0) | 25.6 (−3.6) | 13.7 (−10.2) | −2.1 (−18.9) | −14.9 (−26.1) |
Record low °F (°C) | −36 (−38) | −35 (−37) | −20 (−29) | −1 (−18) | 21 (−6) | 26 (−3) | 37 (3) | 31 (−1) | 23 (−5) | 10 (−12) | −6 (−21) | −39 (−39) | −39 (−39) |
Average precipitation inches (mm) | 3.12 (79) | 2.61 (66) | 3.27 (83) | 3.73 (95) | 3.33 (85) | 4.03 (102) | 3.37 (86) | 3.39 (86) | 3.82 (97) | 4.90 (124) | 3.87 (98) | 3.92 (100) | 43.36 (1,101) |
Average snowfall inches (cm) | 17.4 (44) | 17.0 (43) | 12.0 (30) | 2.2 (5.6) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.1 (0.25) | 2.2 (5.6) | 14.5 (37) | 65.4 (165.45) |
Average extreme snow depth inches (cm) | 13.9 (35) | 15.4 (39) | 13.5 (34) | 3.1 (7.9) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.1 (0.25) | 1.5 (3.8) | 8.9 (23) | 19.3 (49) |
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 10.7 | 9.4 | 9.8 | 11.3 | 12.5 | 12.9 | 12.3 | 10.5 | 10.2 | 12.0 | 11.2 | 11.9 | 134.7 |
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) | 7.4 | 6.5 | 4.4 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 1.6 | 6.0 | 27 |
Source 1: NOAA [10] | |||||||||||||
Source 2: National Weather Service [11] |
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1810 | 1,314 | — | |
1820 | 1,719 | 30.8% | |
1830 | 2,216 | 28.9% | |
1840 | 2,971 | 34.1% | |
1850 | 3,964 | 33.4% | |
1860 | 4,390 | 10.7% | |
1870 | 4,852 | 10.5% | |
1880 | 4,672 | −3.7% | |
1890 | 7,107 | 52.1% | |
1900 | 9,477 | 33.3% | |
1910 | 11,458 | 20.9% | |
1920 | 13,351 | 16.5% | |
1930 | 15,454 | 15.8% | |
1940 | 16,688 | 8.0% | |
1950 | 18,287 | 9.6% | |
1960 | 18,695 | 2.2% | |
1970 | 18,192 | −2.7% | |
1980 | 17,779 | −2.3% | |
1990 | 17,173 | −3.4% | |
2000 | 15,605 | −9.1% | |
2010 | 15,722 | 0.7% | |
2020 | 15,828 | 0.7% | |
U.S. Decennial Census [12] |
As of the census [13] of 2010, there were 15,722 people, 6,370 households, and 3,274 families living in the city. The population density was 1,157.7 inhabitants per square mile (447.0/km2). There were 7,065 housing units at an average density of 520.3 per square mile (200.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 93.9% White, 1.1% African American, 0.6% Native American, 1.2% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.8% from other races, and 2.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.4% of the population.
There were 6,370 households, of which 24.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 32.9% were married couples living together, 13.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 48.6% were non-families. Of all households 38.9% were made up of individuals, and 15.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.13 and the average family size was 2.80.
The median age in the city was 36.8 years. 17.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 18.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.7% were from 25 to 44; 24.7% were from 45 to 64; and 16.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.8% male and 53.2% female.
As of the census [14] of 2000, there were 15,605 people, 6,218 households, and 3,370 families living in the city. The population density was 1,148.7 inhabitants per square mile (443.5/km2). There were 6,819 housing units at an average density of 501.9 per square mile (193.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 95.81% White, 0.78% African American, 0.56% Native American, 1.03% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.42% from other races, and 1.36% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.10% of the population. 32% reported French and French Canadian ancestry, 18% English, 11% Irish, and 6% German.
There were 6,218 households, out of which 26.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.2% were married couples living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 45.8% were non-families. Of all households 38.6% 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 2.13 and the average family size was 2.84.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 19.7% under the age of 18, 18.5% from 18 to 24, 24.1% from 25 to 44, 19.5% from 45 to 64, and 18.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $26,816, and the median income for a family was $38,052. Males had a median income of $30,086 versus $22,037 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,430. 19.2% of the population and 15.1% of families were below the federal poverty level. Statewide, 10.9% of the population was below the poverty level. [15] In Kennebec County, 11.1% of the population was below the federal poverty level. Thus, although the county poverty rate was close to the state poverty rate, the poverty rate for Waterville was higher—typical for a regional center whose suburbs had grown in population.
Out of the total population, 29.7% of those under the age of 18 and 14.7% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
Like many other towns in Maine and in the United States, Waterville has seen development in the suburbs and the decline of the downtown area. [16] There have been new businesses and new facilities built by Inland Hospital on Kennedy Memorial Drive. Walmart, Home Depot, and a small strip mall of other stores have been built in the northern part of the city as part of an open-air shopping center. Because of this growth, the existing and now-neighboring Elm Plaza shopping center has recently had its exterior renovated and filled most or all of its previous vacancies.
In contrast, the downtown area has had its share of hardships due to chain store growth in the city. Stores that had a long history in the downtown area have closed in recent decades, including Levine's, Butlers, Sterns, Dunhams, Alvina and Delias, and LaVerdieres. The large vacancy in The Concourse shopping center that once housed the Ames, Zayre department store, as well as Brooks Pharmacy is struggling to find tenants; as is the now vacant Main Street location of a CVS pharmacy (it moved to a brand new building on Kennedy Memorial Drive). [17] Organizations like Waterville Main St continue their efforts to revitalize downtown. Colby College has built a new dormitory for students on Main Street, and the boutique Lockwood Hotel opened in August 2022. The Paul J. Schupf Art Center is currently under construction. [18]
Developer Paul Boghossian has converted the old Hathaway Mill to retail, office, and residential use. [19] MaineGeneral Health agreed at the end of June 2007 to become the first tenant. [20]
Waterville's top employers include MaineGeneral Medical Center, Colby College, HealthReach Community Health Centers, Northern Light Inland Hospital, Hannaford Supermarket, Shaw's Supermarket, Wal-Mart, Mount St. Joseph Nursing Home, Kennebec Valley Community Action Program, Thomas College, City of Waterville, The Woodlands Residential Care, and Central Maine Newspapers. [21]
Waterville has a mayor and council-manager form of government, led by a mayor and a seven-member city council. The city council is the governing board, and the city manager is the chief administrative officer of the city, responsible for the management of all city affairs.
Waterville adopted a city charter in the 1970s. [22] For some 40 years, the city had a "strong mayor" system in which the mayor enjoyed broad executive powers, including the power to veto measures passed by the city council and to line-item veto budget items passed by the council. [23] In 2005, the charter was substantially revised, changing the city government to a "weak mayor" council-manager system. [23] [24] Under the present system, the city manager is the chief executive. [23] The charter revision was approved by city voters by a 4–1 margin. [23] The city is currently divided into seven geographic wards, each of which elects one member of the Waterville City Council and one member of the Waterville School Board. [22]
Since 1970, the following people have served as mayor of Waterville: Richard "Spike" Carey (1970–1978), Paul Laverdiere (Republican, 1978–1982); Ann Gilbride Hill (Democrat, 1982–1986); Thomas Nale (1986–1987); Judy C. Kany (Democrat, 1988–1989); David E. Bernier (1990–1993); Thomas J. Brazier (1994–1995); Nelson Megna (1995–1996); Ruth Joseph (Democrat, 1996–1998); Nelson Madore (Democrat, 1999–2004); Paul R. LePage (Republican, 2004–2011); Dana W. Sennett (Democrat, 2011); Karen Heck (independent, 2012–2014); Nicholas Isgro (Republican, 2015–2020); Jay Coelho (2021–present). [25]
In 2018, Isgro faced a recall election after he made a Twitter post insulting a gun control activist present during the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida. The recall effort was backed by former Mayor Karen Heck, a Democrat who had previously endorsed Isgro. Isgro later made his Twitter feed private and said that he had deleted the post. [26] [27] During the recall effort, Isgro asserted that outside interests and the City Council were plotting to oust him over disputes over the city budget and taxation. [28] [29] After an acrimonious recall campaign, [30] [31] Waterville voters defeated the recall attempt, with 1,563 "no" votes (51%) to 1,472 "yes" votes (49%). [32]
Waterville is considered a Democratic stronghold in Maine's 1st congressional district. [33] [34] Barack Obama received 70% of Waterville's votes in the 2008 presidential election. [35]
Voter registration
Voter Registration and Party Enrollment as of June 2014 [36] | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Party | Total Voters | Percentage | |||
Democratic | 4,562 | 41.25% | |||
Unenrolled | 4,200 | 37.98% | |||
Republican | 1,940 | 17.54% | |||
Green Independent | 356 | 3.21% | |||
Total | 11,058 | 100% |
Waterville Public Schools provides the city primary and secondary education. It was a part of Kennebec Valley Consolidated Schools (AOS92) from 2009 to 2018. [39]
Kennebec Valley Community College in Fairfield is the local public community college. Colby College and Thomas College are private 4-year colleges located in the city. Colby is the third highest ranked liberal arts college in Maine, according to U.S. News. [40]
Waterville is home to one daily newspaper, the Morning Sentinel , and a weekly college newspaper, The Colby Echo . [41] The city is also home to Fox affiliate WPFO and Daystar rebroadcaster WFYW-LP, both serving the Portland market, and to several radio stations, including Colby's WMHB, country WEBB, and MPBN on 91.3 FM.
The 2001 satirical comedy movie Wet Hot American Summer is set in a fictional summer camp near Waterville, with some scenes taking place in the city. The movie was filmed in Pennsylvania, [42] but signs displaying "Waterville Maine Est. 1802 Pop. 17,173" and "Waterville C.B. Radio Supply Inc." are shown in these scenes. Gary, a character played by A. D. Miles, asks, "Hey, guys, how was Waterville?" after the group returns to camp from the city. [43]
Augusta is the capital of the U.S. state of Maine and the county seat of and most populous city in Kennebec County. Augusta is included in the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine metropolitan New England city and town area. The city's population was 18,899 at the 2020 census, making it the 12th most populous city in Maine, and 3rd least populous state capital in the United States after Montpelier, Vermont, and Pierre, South Dakota.
Kennebec County is a county located in the South-central portion of the U.S. state of Maine. At the 2020 census, the population was 123,642. Its county seat is Augusta, the state capital. The county was established on February 20, 1799, from portions of Cumberland and Lincoln Counties. The name Kennebec comes from the Eastern Abenaki /kínipekʷ/, meaning "large body of still water, large bay."
Colby is a city in and the county seat of Thomas County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 5,570.
Albion is a town in Kennebec County, Maine, United States. The population was 2,006 at the 2020 census.
China is a town in Kennebec County, Maine, United States. The population was 4,408 at the 2020 census. China is included in the Augusta, Maine micropolitan NECTA.
Gardiner is a city in Kennebec County, Maine, United States. The population was 5,961 at the 2020 census. Popular with tourists, Gardiner is noted for its culture and old architecture. Gardiner is a nationally accredited Main Street America community. It is included in the Augusta, Maine micropolitan New England City and Town Area.
Hallowell is a city in Kennebec County, Maine, United States. The population was 2,570 at the 2020 census. Popular with tourists, Hallowell is noted for its culture and old architecture. Hallowell is included in the Augusta, Maine, micropolitan New England City and Town Area.
Vassalboro is a town in Kennebec County, Maine, United States. The population was 4,520 at the 2020 census. Vassalboro includes the villages of Riverside, Getchell's Corner, North Vassalboro, and East Vassalboro, home to the town library and sports field. Vassalboro is included in the Augusta, Maine, micropolitan New England City and Town Area.
Bowdoinham is a town in Sagadahoc County, Maine, United States. Bowdoinham was included in the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine metropolitan New England city and town area. The population was 3,047 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Portland–South Portland–Biddeford, Maine metropolitan statistical area. The town is located on the west side of Merrymeeting Bay.
Winslow is a town and census-designated place in Kennebec County, Maine, United States, along the Kennebec River across from Waterville. The population was 7,948 at the 2020 census.
Oakland is a town in Kennebec County in the U.S. state of Maine. The population was 6,230 at the 2020 census. Oakland is 4 miles (6 km) west of Waterville and approximately 18 miles (29 km) north of Augusta, the state capital. Waterville and Augusta are service centers for Oakland, and many Oakland residents commute to jobs in those areas.
Kenneth T. Gagnon is an American politician from Maine. Gagnon served as a Democratic State Senator from Maine's 25th District, representing much of Kennebec County, including population centers of Waterville and Winslow as well as two communities in Somerset County. He was first elected to the Maine State Senate in 2000. He also previously served in the Maine House of Representatives from 1996 to 2000 before being elected to the Senate. He also served on the Waterville City Council.
Farmingdale is a town in Kennebec County, Maine, United States. The population was 2,995 at the 2020 census. Farmingdale is included in the Augusta, Maine micropolitan New England City and Town Area.
Oakland is a census-designated place (CDP) comprising the main population center in the town of Oakland in Kennebec County, Maine, United States. The population was 2,602 at the 2010 census, out of 6,240 in the entire town of Oakland.
Bingham is a town in Somerset County, Maine, United States. The population was 866 at the 2020 census. Bingham is a historic town located beside the Kennebec River.
Fairfield is a town in Somerset County, Maine, United States. The population was 6,484 at the 2020 census. The town includes Fairfield Center, Fairfield village and Hinckley, and borders the city of Waterville to the south. It is home to the Good Will-Hinckley School, Lawrence High School and Kennebec Valley Community College.
Kennebec Valley Consolidated Schools or Alternative Organizational Structure 92 was a school district with the superintendent based in Waterville, Maine, and with another office in Winslow, Maine. The district served Waterville, Winslow, and Vassalboro.
Karen Heck is an American community activist, women's rights activist, nonprofit administrator, and politician. She was mayor of Waterville, Maine from 2012 to 2014. She was inducted into the Maine Women's Hall of Fame in 2008.
Winslow Public Schools is a school district in Winslow, Maine. The superintendent of schools is Peter A. Thiboutot, who was formerly the assistant superintendent of AOS92 until 2018. The Winslow Superintendent's Office is located at 20 Dean Street in Winslow, next to the Winslow Elementary School. Winslow Public Schools has roughly 1,200 students.
Waterville Public Schools is a school district in Waterville, Maine, United States.
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