Auburn, Maine

The area was originally part of the Pejepscot Purchase, land bought in 1714 by a consortium from Boston and Portsmouth following the Treaty of Portsmouth, which brought peace between the Abenaki Indians and English settlements. In 1736, however, the Massachusetts General Court granted a large section of the land to veterans of the 1690 Battle of Quebec. Conflicting claims led to prolonged litigation; consequently, settlement was delayed until after the French and Indian Wars.^[5]

Auburn was first settled in 1786 as part of Bakerstown, renamed Poland when it was incorporated by the Massachusetts General Court in 1795. It was then part of Minot, set off from Poland and incorporated in 1802. Auburn would itself be set off and incorporated on February 24, 1842. The name was apparently inspired by "Auburn", a village (real or fictitious) featured in the 1770 poem "The Deserted Village" by Oliver Goldsmith.^[6] Originally part of Cumberland County, the town became county seat of Androscoggin County at its creation in 1854. By annexing land from towns around it, including part of Poland in 1852, Minot in 1873, and all of Danville (first called Pejepscot) in 1867, Auburn grew geographically into one of Maine's largest municipalities. Incorporated a city in 1868, Auburn in 1917 would be the first city in the state to adopt a council-manager form of government.^[5]

Farms supplied grain and produce, but with construction of the bridge to Lewiston in 1823, and especially after arrival of the Atlantic and St. Lawrence Railroad from Portland in January 1848, the community developed into a mill town. Mills were built to operate by water power from falls on the Androscoggin River and Little Androscoggin River. In 1835, the factory system of shoe manufacture originated at Auburn. Other firms manufactured cotton and woolen textiles, carriages, iron goods, bricks and furniture. The population in 1860 was only about 4,000 but by 1890 it was about 12,000, when its shoe factories attracted many French Canadian immigrants, many of whom arrived by train from Quebec.^[7] Steady population growth continued to about 1960 when the population was about 24,500.^[8]

In Auburn, shoe manufacturing became the dominant industry by the late 19th century. The City Seal, depicting a spindle with different types of shoes at each outside point, was designed when Auburn was positioning itself as the shoe manufacturing center of Maine in the mid-19th century. In 1917 one factory in Auburn was producing 75 percent of the world's supply of white canvas shoes; however, after World War II the shoe industry began to decline, and between 1957 and 1961 the largest manufacturers closed their factories.^[8]

Lewiston-Auburn Shoe Strike

Main article: Lewiston-Auburn Shoe Strike

In 1937, one of the largest labor disputes in Maine history occurred in Lewiston and Auburn. The Lewiston-Auburn Shoe Strike lasted from March to June and at its peak involved 4,000 to 5,000 workers on strike. After workers attempted to march across the Androscoggin River from Lewiston to Auburn, Governor Lewis Barrows sent in the Maine Army National Guard. Some labor leaders, CIO Secretary Powers Hapgood, were imprisoned for months after a Maine Supreme Judicial Court judge issued an injunction seeking to end the strike.

Main Street c. 1912
Old mill c. 1910
Court Street c. 1912
High Street in 1907

Geography

Auburn is located at 44°5′N 70°14′W / 44.083°N 70.233°W / 44.083; -70.233 (44.089, −70.241).^[9] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 65.74 square miles (170.27 km²), of which 59.33 square miles (153.66 km²) is land and 6.41 square miles (16.60 km²) is water.^[1] Auburn is drained by the Little Androscoggin River and Androscoggin River.

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1850	2,840		—
1860	4,022		41.6%
1870	6,169		53.4%
1880	9,555		54.9%
1890	11,250		17.7%
1900	12,951		15.1%
1910	15,064		16.3%
1920	16,985		12.8%
1930	18,571		9.3%
1940	19,817		6.7%
1950	23,134		16.7%
1960	24,449		5.7%
1970	24,151		−1.2%
1980	23,128		−4.2%
1990	24,039		3.9%
2000	23,203		−3.5%
2010	23,055		−0.6%
Est. 2014	22,912	^[10]	−0.6%
sources:^[11]^[12]

2010 census

As of the census^[2] of 2010, there were 23,055 people, 9,974 households, and 5,818 families residing in the city. The population density was 388.6 inhabitants per square mile (150.0/km²). There were 11,016 housing units at an average density of 185.7 per square mile (71.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 93.7% White, 2.5% African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.9% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 2.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.5% of the population.

There were 9,974 households of which 29.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.9% were married couples living together, 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 41.7% were non-families. 32.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.84.

The median age in the city was 39.9 years. 22.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.1% were from 25 to 44; 27.9% were from 45 to 64; and 15.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.3% male and 51.7% female.

2000 census

As of the census^[13] of 2000, there were 23,203 people, 9,764 households, and 5,907 families residing in the city. The population density was 388.1 people per square mile (149.9/km²). There were 10,608 housing units at an average density of 177.4 per square mile (68.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.04% White, 0.59% African American, 0.30% Native American, 0.59% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.10% from other races, and 1.32% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.73% of the population.

There were 9,764 households out of which 29.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.9% were married couples living together, 11.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.5% were non-families. 32.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.88.

In the city the population was spread out with 23.2% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 17.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 90.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.9 males.

The median income for a six households in the city was $35,652, and the median income for a family was $44,012. Males had a median income of $32,088 versus $22,349 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,942. About 9.0% of families and 12.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.6% of those under age 18 and 11.8% of those age 65 or over.

Voter registration

Voter Registration and Party Enrollment as of November 2012^[14]
Party		Total Voters	Percentage
	Unenrolled	6,169	39.89%
	Democratic	5,014	32.42%
	Republican	3,596	23.25%
	Green Independent	684	4.42%
Total		15,463	100%

Media

Newspapers

Lewiston Sun Journal prints a daily newspaper in four different editions statewide. The Sun Journal was the recipient of the 2008 New England Daily Newspaper of the Year and the 2009 Maine Press Association Newspaper of the Year.

Magazines

Lewiston Auburn Magazine, launched in April 2010, features current events and history of Lewiston/Auburn, with an emphasis on the people who are helping to rebuild the area.

Education

Public primary and secondary education is provided by the Auburn School Department, including Edward Little High School.

In addition, there are the following schools in the city:

St. Dominic Regional High School, a catholic high school
Central Maine Community College, community college

Transportation

Roads

By air

Auburn is the home of the Auburn-Lewiston Airport. It is off of Hotel Road.

Rail

The Springfield Terminal is the main rail of the city. It mostly stays next to US Route 202. Although, that is not the only one. The St. Lawrence and Atlantic rail also flows through the city. The St. Lawrence and Atlantic rail also goes by the Auburn-Lewiston Airport and splits into north, east, and south directions.

Government

Auburn is in the Maine's 2nd US Congressional District, Maine Senate District 15, and Maine House of Representatives Districts 68, 69, and 70.

Auburn is divided up into five wards. The city's governing body is a City Council, consisting of a mayor and 7 councilmembers (one from each of the five wards, and two elected at large). The mayor is elected at large.

Auburn's current Mayor is Jonathan LaBonte. He is the youngest mayor in the city's history.^[15] John Jenkins is a former mayor and state senator from Auburn.^[16]

Sites of interest

Lake Auburn in 1911

Androscoggin Historical Society & Museum—artifacts of local history, Civil War memorabilia, farming tools and a bird collection
Auburn Fire Department Museum—a collection of antique fire equipment from the city
Festival Plaza, completed in 2002—public park and performance space along the Androscoggin River. Two public water sculptures designed by artist Ross Miller operate seasonally – the Falls Fountain, that references the Androscoggin River and Native American legends of being able to hide behind the falls; and the Shoe Fountain, a series of cast bronze shoes recalling the early shoe manufacturing history of the area. A map of the Androscoggin River is cast into the plaza with colored concrete.
Good Shepherd Food Bank distributes food to agencies across the state from its main warehouse in Auburn
Hamster Point—Majestic river side gardens
Knight House Museum (1796) – the oldest frame house downtown, with a pre-1835 handwork shoe shop

National Register of Historic Places listings in Auburn

Androscoggin County Buildings c. 1912

Auburn Public Library c. 1910

A. A. Garcelon House (1890)
Androscoggin County Courthouse and Jail (1857)
Auburn Public Library (1903)
Barker Mill (1873)
Charles A. Jordan House (1880)
Charles L. Cushman House (1889)
Edward Little House (1827)
Engine House (1879)
First Universalist Church (1876)
Frank L. Dingley House (1867)
Free Baptist Church
Gay-Munroe House (1878)
Holman Day House (1895)
Horace Munroe House (1899)
Horatio G. Foss House (1914)
Lamoreau Site
Main Street Historic District
Roak Block (1871)
William A. Robinson House (1874)
William Briggs Homestead (1797)

Notable people

Corner of Court and Main streets c. 1908

Tony Atlas, wrestler
John Bower, skier
Lenny Breau, jazz guitarist
Alonzo Conant, Judge Auburn Municipal Court (1946–1958)
Aaron S. Daggett, last surviving Civil War general
T. A. D. Fessenden, U.S. Congressman
Sara Mae Stinchfield Hawk, speech pathologist
John Jenkins, mayor
Edward Little, philanthropist, educator
Robert Luce, U.S. Congressman
Cynthia McFadden, correspondent for ABC News
Elmer Drew Merrill, botanist
George Perkins Merrill, geologist
Julie M. J. Parisien, skier
Deborah Simpson, state legislator
Billy Silverman, referee
Charles Small, center fielder with the Boston Red Sox
Olympia Snowe, U.S. Senator and U.S. Congresswoman
Peter T. Snowe, Maine state legislator

References

1 2 "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-11-23.
1 2 "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-11-23.
↑ "People Quickfacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2015-03-29.
↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
1 2 Coolidge, Austin J.; John B. Mansfield (1859). A History and Description of New England. Boston, Massachusetts. pp. 36–38.
↑ Yates, Edgar A.P. (Jun 13, 1928). "Some Maine town names". The Lewiston Daily Sun. p. 4. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
↑ "Historical Sketch of Auburn, Maine". Retrieved 8 March 2016.
1 2 Auburn Historical Highlights
↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2014". Retrieved June 4, 2015.
↑ , accessed December, 2007.
↑ Auburn city, Maine – Population Finder – American FactFinder
↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
↑ "Registration and Party Enrollment Statistics as of November 6, 2012" (PDF). Maine Bureau of Corporations.
↑ "City of Auburn, Maine - City Council". Retrieved 8 March 2016.
↑ Jenkins explains Blaine House bid Lewiston Sun Journal, September 8, 2010

External links

Wikisource has the text of a 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica article about Auburn, Maine.

Municipalities and communities of Androscoggin County, Maine, United States

County seat: Auburn

Cities	Auburn Lewiston

Towns	Durham Greene Leeds Lisbon Livermore Falls Livermore Mechanic Falls Minot Poland Sabattus Turner Wales

CDPs	Lisbon Falls Livermore Falls Mechanic Falls

Cities of Maine

State of Maine

Augusta (capital)

Topics	Index Geography Government Governors History Islands Images People Visitor attractions Congressional districts

Society	Culture Crime Demographics Economy Education Party strength

Regions	Down East Highlands Kennebec Valley Lake Country Mid Coast North Woods Penobscot Bay Southern Coast Western Mountains

Counties	Androscoggin Aroostook Cumberland Franklin Hancock Kennebec Knox Lincoln Oxford Penobscot Piscataquis Sagadahoc Somerset Waldo Washington York

Cities	Auburn Augusta Bangor Bath Belfast Biddeford Brewer Calais Caribou Eastport Ellsworth Gardiner Hallowell Lewiston Old Town Portland Presque Isle Rockland Saco Sanford South Portland Waterville Westbrook

Largest towns	Bridgton Brunswick Cape Elizabeth Falmouth Gorham Kennebunk Kittery Lisbon Old Orchard Beach Orono Sanford Scarborough Skowhegan Standish Topsham Wells Windham Winslow York

Androscoggin River Watershed

Tributaries	Alder River Bear River Cathance River Chickwolnepy Stream Clear Stream Concord River Cupsuptic River Dead Cambridge River Dead Diamond River Dead River (ME) Dead River (NH) Dead River (Sabattus) East Branch Cupsuptic River East Branch Dead Diamond River East Branch Nezinscot River East Branch Pleasant River East Branch Swift River Ellis River First East Branch Magalloway River Kennebago River Little Androscoggin River Little Dead Diamond River Little East Branch Cupsuptic River Little Magalloway River Little River Magalloway River Middle Branch Dead Diamond River Middle Branch Little Magalloway River Mollidgewock Brook Moose Brook Moose River Muddy River Nezinscot River Peabody River Pleasant River Rangeley River Rapid River Rattle River Sabattus River Sanborn River Second East Branch Magalloway River South Branch Little Dead Diamond River South Branch Sunday River Sunday River Swift Cambridge River Swift Diamond River Swift River Third East Branch Magalloway River Webb River West Branch Dead Diamond River West Branch Ellis River West Branch Little Dead Diamond River West Branch Little Magalloway River West Branch Magalloway River West Branch Nezinscot River West Branch Peabody River West Branch Pleasant River West Branch Swift River Wild River

Lakes	Akers Pond Androscoggin Lake Lake Auburn Echo Lake Greenough Pond Mooselookmeguntic Lake Parker Pond Pontook Reservoir Rangeley Lake Thompson Lake Success Pond Umbagog Lake Webb Lake

Towns	Albany Andover Auburn Berlin Bethel Bowdoin Brunswick Buckfield Byron Cambridge Canton Carthage Chesterville Dixfield Dummer Durham Errol Fayette Gilead Gorham Greene Greenwood Hanover Hartford Hebron Jay Leeds Lewiston Lisbon Livermore Livermore Falls Mechanic Falls Mexico Minot Monmouth Mount Vernon Newry Norway Otisfield Oxford Paris Peru Pittsburg Poland Randolph Rangeley Readfield Roxbury Rumford Sabattus Shelburne Stewartstown Sumner Topsham Turner Upton Vienna Wales Wayne Weld Wentworth's Location West Paris Woodstock

Landmarks	Brown Company Maine Central Railroad Old Speck Mountain Rumford Mill St. Lawrence and Atlantic Railroad White Mountains

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