Mexico, Maine

Location of town of Mexico in Oxford County, state of Maine

Mexico is a town in Oxford County, Maine, United States. The population was 1,389 at the 2000 census. Mexico is a small mill town for the papermaking industry.

History

The land was once part of Holmanstown Plantation, granted by the Massachusetts General Court in 1789 to Colonel Jonathan Holman of Sutton, Massachusetts (now Millbury) and others. In 1803, Dixfield was set off and incorporated. The plantation's remaining portion, which had been first settled by Isaac Gleason, was incorporated on February 13, 1818 as the town of Mexico.^[1] The name was inspired by local sympathy for Mexico's 1810–1821 fight for independence from Spain.^[2] Then known as Mexico Corner, it developed as a farming community with mills at the streams.^[3] In 1894, George W. Ridlon, president of the Rumford Falls Brick Company, founded a settlement in the eastern part of the town called Ridlonville. He erected 30 cottages and The Hotel Ridlon.^[2]

General view of Mexico from Rumford Falls c. 1905

Mexico is located on several hills overlooking the Androscoggin River. Across the river is the town of Rumford, which has a large paper mill. The Swift River empties into the Androscoggin at Mexico's southwest corner, its historic business center positioned in the 19th-century near the source of water power. While the large Androscoggin forms Mexico's southern boundary with Rumford, the smaller Swift River more or less follows its western boundary with that town. Mexico's downtown is located on land formed by the northeast corner of the right-angle junction of the two rivers. These low lying riverbanks in Mexico have flooded many times, including 1936, 1953 and 1987.^[2]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 23.6 square miles (61.3 km²), of which 23.4 square miles (60.7 km²) is land and 0.2 square miles (0.6 km²) (0.93%) is water. Mexico is drained by the Swift River and the Androscoggin River, which separates it from Rumford Falls.

Demographics

See also: Mexico (CDP), Maine

As of the census^[4] of 2000, there were 2,959 people, 1,298 households, and 820 families residing in the town. The population density was 126.3 people per square mile (48.8/km²). There were 1,448 housing units at an average density of 61.8 per square mile (23.9/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.84% White, 0.24% Black or African American, 0.88% Asian, and 1.05% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.27% of the population.

There were 1,298 households out of which 28.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.5% were married couples living together, 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.8% were non-families. 31.5% of all households 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 2.27 and the average family size was 2.80.

In the town the population was spread out with 24.0% under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 27.9% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 19.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 95.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.4 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $27,406, and the median income for a family was $33,776. Males had a median income of $38,214 versus $23,298 for females. The per capita income for the town was $16,322. About 10.9% of families and 15.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.0% of those under age 18 and 5.1% of those age 65 or over.

Colleges and universities

The Town of Mexico has immediate access to the University of Maine System’s seven universities through University College at Rumford/Mexico.^[5] University College delivers courses and programs through a variety of modalities, including the traditional classroom, interactive television (ITV), video conferencing, online, and blended classes that use a variety of these modalities. University College provides services to faculty and students that include off-campus library services, academic advising, career development, application and financial aid assistance, computer access, technical support, and a place for adults to meet and study. Its students may take a few courses for personal growth or complete any of the following programs: Associate of Science in Criminal Justice; Bachelor of Science in Public Safety Administration; Associate and Bachelor of Science in Nursing; Bachelor of Arts, Elementary Teacher Certification Program; Bachelor of Arts, Special Education Certification; Program Master of Science in Adult & Higher Education; Master of Science in Counseling/Rehabilitation Counseling; Certificate in Applied Research & Evaluation Methods; Certificate in Health Policy and Management; Certificate in Holistic Health; Certificate in Mental Health Rehabilitation Technician/Community; Bachelor of Arts in University Studies; Master of Science in Computer / Electrical Engineering; Master of Arts in Maine Studies Master’s Certificate in Social Work Studies Master’s Certificate in Food Science & Nutrition Undergraduate Certificate in Classical Studies; Undergraduate Certificate in Maine Studies; Associate of Science in Business Administration, with Management and Accounting concentrations; Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Management Major with concentrations in Management, Financial Services, Small Business Management, Computer Information Systems, and Public Administration; Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Accounting Major with concentrations in Financial Accounting, Management Accounting, and Governmental Accounting; Bachelor and Associate in Mental Health & Human Services; Bachelor of Applied Science; Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies; Bachelor and Associate of Science in Library and Information Services; Associate of Sciences in Medical Laboratory Technology; Certificate in Child & Youth Care Practitioner; Certificate in Dental Assisting; and Certificate in Human Resource Management. ^[6]

Site of interest

• Mexico Historical Society & Museum

Notable people

• Chummy Broomhall, cross-country skier
• Charles W. Walton, congressman
• Ed McMahon, entertainment personality

References

1. ^ Coolidge, Austin J.; John B. Mansfield (1859). A History and Description of New England. Boston, Massachusetts. pp. 209–210. http://books.google.com/books?id=OcoMAAAAYAAJ&lpg=PA9&dq=coolidge%20mansfield%20history%20description%20new%20england%201859&pg=PA209#v=onepage&q&f=false. 
2. ^ ^{a b c} History of Mexico, Maine
3. ^ Varney, George J. (1886), Gazetteer of the state of Maine. Mexico, Boston: Russell, http://history.rays-place.com/me/mexico-me.htm 
4. ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
5. ^ University College at Rumford/Mexico
6. ^ Kay, Jean. "Director". 207-364-7882. University College, University of Maine System. http://www.learn.maine.edu/rumford-mexico/. Retrieved 8 April 2011. 

External links

• Town of Mexico, Maine
• Mexico Public Library
• Economic development info
• Maine Genealogy: Mexico, Oxford County, Maine

Coordinates: 44°33′25″N 70°32′35″W / 44.55694°N 70.54306°W / 44.55694; -70.54306