Winthrop is a town in Kennebec County, Maine, United States. Winthrop is included in the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine metropolitan New England city and town area. The population was 6,121 at the 2020 census.[3] Winthrop's population, however, approximately doubles during the summer months as part-year residents return to seasonal camps located on the shores of Winthrop's Lakes and Ponds. A recreational area located among lakes, the town includes the villages of Winthrop and East Winthrop, and is the center of the Winthrop Lakes Region. Winthrop is also included in the Augusta, Maine Micropolitan New England City and Town Area.
The town is defined by several significant bodies of water, including Maranacook Lake, Annabessacook Lake, Cobbossee Lake, and the Narrows (Upper and Lower Ponds). These lakes and ponds are central to the town's identity and offer numerous recreational opportunities such as boating, fishing, and swimming, with the Ladies Delight Lighthouse on Cobbossee Lake being a unique landmark.
First called Pondtown for its lakes and ponds, it was settled by Timothy Foster in 1765. On April 26, 1771, Pondtown Plantation was incorporated by the Massachusetts General Court as Winthrop,[4] named for the first colonial governor of Massachusetts, John Winthrop.[5]Readfield was set off and incorporated in 1791. The surface of the town is uneven, but with good land that yielded hay, grain and apples. Winthrop became noted for its orchards and cattle.[6]
At the outlet of Maranacook Lake into Annabessacook Lake, John Chandler built a sawmill in 1768, and then added a gristmill. Other industries followed, including a fulling mill, tannery and blacksmith shop. The Winthrop Woolen & Cotton Manufactory was incorporated in 1809, and in 1814 went into operation. By 1886, the town had a sawmill which manufactured about 200,000 feet of lumber every year, two oil cloth factories, a sash and blind factory, and a foundry and machine shop.[7] The Maine Central Railroad opened to the village, carrying freight and tourists. Winthrop and its lakes developed into a summer resort, which it remains today.[8]
Historical postcards
Upper Dam Bridge c.1905
Maranacook Lake c.1905
The Elmhurst in 1908
Main Street c.1910
Public library in 1922
Islands, Lake Cobbossee c.1930
Villages and neighborhoods
Winthrop has historically referred to its regions by directional names. Other than Winthrop Village and East Winthrop, their boundaries are not firmly established and tend to vary from person to person. Winthrop has several villages and areas that can be classified as neighborhoods. Some of them are:
Winthrop is the main, central area, often called The Village. It encompasses roughly the area around northern Annabessacook Lake to southern Marancook Lake. This is the central, downtown of Winthrop, featuring shops, eateries, businesses, a public beach and library. Just over 43% of Winthrop's population live in Winthrop Village.
North Area (Maranacook) loops around Maranacook Lake, and includes the popular Memorial Drive, often referred to as The Drive. The area features excellent public landings, and is heavily developed with many summer homes, year-round residences, and rental cabins.[9]
East Winthrop is located just west of Manchester and south of Readfield, borders most of Cobbosseecontee Lake, and all of Little Cobbosseecontee, Upper & Lower Narrows. It has a separate post office and ZIP code (04343) from the rest of Winthrop (04364), although this serves only mail delivered to post office boxes in the East Winthrop Post Office.[10] The area has magnificent views of the Cobbosseecontee bodies of water.[11]
South Area (Annabessacook) borders Monmouth and loops around Annabessacook Lake. The area includes popular lakeside tourist attractions, including the 65 acre Augusta West Resort,[12] and the 25 acre historic Annabessacook Farm Bed & Breakfast.[13]
West Area (Mt. Pisgah area) encompasses roughly the area from Wilson Pond up to Berry Pond. The southern part of this area is home to Mount Pisgah. This is a popular fishing area, as Wilson Pond abounds with natural populations of warm-water species, especially bass and perch.[14]
Geography
Winthrop is a commuter town[15] and suburb of both Lewiston–Auburn and Augusta.[16] It is located just 3 miles west of Maine's capital city, Augusta, and 15 miles east of Lewiston. Nearly 10% of Winthrop's housing is seasonal.[17] The downtown is situated between Maranacook and Annabessacook Lake.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 37.90 square miles (98.16km2), of which 31.22 square miles (80.86km2) is land and 6.68 square miles (17.30km2) is water.[1] Winthrop is drained by Hoyt Brook.
Winthrop is also home to Mt. Pisgah (pronounced pis-guh, from the Hebrew word for summit or lookout), which is 807ft above sea level[18] and home to the Maine Fire Services watch tower[19] that was in service from 1949 to 1992, when air patrols rendered it obsolete. The tower still stands to this day and is accessible by a hiking trail.
Winthrop’s climate is classified as humid continental climate (KöppenDfa), characterized by pronounced seasonal variation. The town endures extended winters with cold temperatures and frequent snowfall, contrasted by warm to hot summers that often bring higher humidity. The intervening spring and autumn seasons are comparatively brief and noted for cooler, brisk weather. Rainfall is distributed fairly evenly across the year, with winter precipitation commonly falling as snow.
As of 2020 the median income for a household in the town was $82,858, and the per capita income was $38,926. 13.9% of the population was below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 29% of those under the age of 18 and 4% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
Winthrop has historically been known as a fast-growing suburban town, and saw its population triple during the 20th century. Its growth rate has slowed in recent years, and saw a decline in the 2010 census for the first time in almost a century, but increased slightly in the 2020 census. Winthrop has always been the largest in population municipality in Kennebec County that was classified as a town and not a city.[21]Oakland surpassed Winthrop's population in the 2010 census.[22]
2020 census
As of the census of 2020, there were 6,121 people and 2,583 households residing in the town.[23] The population density was 196 inhabitants per square mile (76/km2). There were 3,342 housing units at an average density of 107 per square mile (41/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 90.1% White, 5% Black or African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.2% Asian, and 4.3% from two or more races. 0% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 2,583 households, of which 53% were married couples living together. The average household size was 2.4.
In the town, the population was spread out, with 5.7% under the age of 5, 23.5% under the age of 18, and 22.9% 65 or older. The median age was 43.3 years. The female population was 51.7% and male population 48.3%.
2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 6,092 people, 2,598 households, and 1,740 families residing in the town.[23] The population density was 195.3 inhabitants per square mile (75.4/km2). There were 3,295 housing units at an average density of 105.6 per square mile (40.8/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 97.6% White, 0.3% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.3% Asian, and 1.4% from two or more races. 1.0% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 2,598 households, of which 28.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.3% were married couples living together, 10.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33% were non-families. 26.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.76.
In the town, the population was spread out, with 22.3% under the age of 20, 9% from 20 to 29, 17.1% from 30 to 44, 34.2% from 45 to 64, and 17.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. The female population was 51.6% and male population 48.4%.
Education
Winthrop Public Schools is an independent school district serving approximately 840 students in grades Pre-K–12. Winthrop's schools are governed by the Winthrop School Board.[24] The five-member group consists of elected representatives from Winthrop. The members serve two-year terms and conduct monthly meetings that are open to the public. Winthrop operates three schools:
Winthrop Grade School (Pre-K–5) 395 students
Winthrop Middle School (6–8) 205 students
Winthrop High School (9–12) 242 students
Winthrop is also home to the Monmouth/Winthrop Adult Education.
Government
Local government
Winthrop uses the Council-Manager form of government, in which the Town Council is the primary governing authority. The Winthrop Town Council consists of seven elected members. The Town Council appoints and confirms both the Town Manager, and the Town Attorney. The Town Manager, in turn, appoints the Finance Director, and Clerk. In addition to these positions, Winthrop has several departments used to provide the services necessary to the town.
The framework for the town government is defined in the Municipal charter.
Political makeup
Winthrop is known as being politically moderate, and consistently votes for both liberals and conservatives for local, state, and national offices. In the 2020 presidential election, Joe Biden received 1,963 of the town's votes to Donald Trump's 1,649,[25] and in the 2024 presidential election, Kamala Harris received 1,995 of the town's votes to Trump's 1,911. The Town voted in 2012 on a referendum to allow same-sex marriage 53% to 47%.[26] Voter registration in the town reflects a balanced political landscape, with Democrats, Republicans, and unenrolled voters each comprising roughly one third of the electorate:
Voter Registration and Party Enrollment as of June 2024[27]
The Charles M. Bailey Public Library serves Winthrop and surrounding communities.[28] It was founded in 1916 and is located on Bowdoin Street. The library holds various cultural events such as lectures, film series, and music.
*Cobbosseecontee Lake (known locally as Cobbossee) is nationally recognized as one of the top bass-fishing lakes in America due to its impressive largemouth population.[36] Cobbossee also has the only active inland waters lighthouse in Maine, Ladies Delight Light.
↑Coolidge, Austin J.; John B. Mansfield (1859). A History and Description of New England. Boston, Massachusetts: A.J. Coolidge. pp.363–364. coolidge mansfield history description new england 1859.
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