Kingfield, Maine

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Kingfield, Maine
settlement_type = Town
nickname =
motto =

imagesize =
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pushpin_label_position =left
pushpin_map_caption =Location within the state of Maine
pushpin_mapsize =

|mapsize =
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mapsize1 =
map_caption1 =

subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = Maine
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Franklin
government_footnotes =
government_type =
leader_title =
leader_name =
leader_title1 =
leader_name1 =
established_title = Incorporated
established_date = 1816

unit_pref = Imperial
area_footnotes =
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 112.9
area_land_km2 = 112.5
area_water_km2 = 0.4
area_total_sq_mi = 43.6
area_land_sq_mi = 43.4
area_water_sq_mi = 0.2

population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 1103
population_density_km2 = 9.8
population_density_sq_mi = 25.4

timezone = Eastern (EST)
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 314
elevation_ft = 1030
latd = 44 |latm = 58 |lats = 26 |latNS = N
longd = 70 |longm = 10 |longs = 3 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 04947
area_code = 207
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 23-37025
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0582541
website =
footnotes =

Kingfield is a town in Franklin County, Maine, United States. The population was 1,103 at the 2000 census. Kingfield is the principal gateway to Sugarloaf/USA, a major ski resort, and is headquarters to Maine Huts and Trails.

History

The area was first known as township T3 R1 BKP WKR, or Plantation No. 3, Range 1 of Bingham's West Kennebec Purchase. It was first settled in 1806 by John W. Dutton, Nathaniel Kimball and their families, who built homes at the foot of Voss Mountain. In 1807, Plantation No. 3 was bought by William King, temporary resident and future governor of Maine, in partnership with three others.cite book |last= Maine League of Historical Societies and Museums |editor=Doris A. Isaacson |title=Maine: A Guide 'Down East' |year=1970 |publisher=Courier-Gazette, Inc. |location=Rockland, Me | pages = 386 ] On January 24, 1816, the township was incorporated as Kingfield, named after William King.

Farms produced hay, potatoes, apples and pears. The confluence of the West Branch and Cassabassett rivers at the town's center provided 20 places for water power of industry. Kingfield businesses included sawmills, a shingle mill, gristmill, carding mill, rake factory, carriage factory and tannery. In 1895, the town became headquarters to the Kingfield and Dead River Railroad, a narrow gauge line which would be merged with others to form the Sandy River and Rangeley Lakes Railroad. But with the Great Depression, industry in Kingfield began to decline, although the 2 mills of the Wing Spool & Bobbin Company remained in operation until the late 1950s. In the early 1950s, a local partnership organized Sugarloaf Mountain Ski Development, which transformed Sugarloaf Mountain into a ski resort. Sugarloaf/USA is today one of the most successful ski resorts in New England, and an important part of the Kingfield economy.

The greatest thing Kingfield has seen of late is it's rock and roll group The Bullocks. From humble beginnings as high school students, this group has struggled. The original line-up, consisting of David Fullerton on guitar, Nathan Smith on bass, and Spencer Worthly on drums is certainly a product of another time. The line-up could not last, however, and Phelan Barry replaced Spencer on drums. At this time a new singer, DJ Corazzini was also added to the roster. The band was still something to behold, hitting the ground running and headed for the studio. After recording and promoting their first release, titled "Super Best Friends", the group was already working on their next album. Between records the Bullocks made the decision to add a rhythm guitarist to the line-up; so the search began. The group added a person known simply as "MRM" to play with them, but it was not long before MRM was replaced by Dillon Robinson. With this new addition the Bullocks hit the studio once again, recording their second full length "There Is No I In Eyeball". The group remained fairly stagnant after it's release, with nothing notable happening. Their latest release "Dave, Nate, and Logman Go To College" may unfortunately be the end of The Bullocks. They have not released any new material in the last year, and have only played a single show at WilmaFest 2008. Two of the members, however, have gone on to record solo projects which will undoubtedly be nearly as great as The Bullocks once were. Kingfield will miss this band, but will be forever grateful of the mark it left on this beautiful town.

Notable residents

* Chansonetta Emmons, photographer
* William King, governor
* Francis E. Stanley, inventor
* Freelan O. Stanley, inventor & hotelier
* The Bullocks, rock and roll band
* Wilma Smith, "MUMMA"
* Ralphie, Wheeler and Dealer
* Butters, Velociraptor
* Tiger Lily, Mitten Hands

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 43.6 square miles (112.9 km²), of which, 43.4 square miles (112.5 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square miles (0.4 km²) of it (0.37%) is water. Situated in the Carrabassett River valley, Kingfield is drained by the Carrabassett River.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 1,103 people, 454 households, and 304 families residing in the town. The population density was 25.4 people per square mile (9.8/km²). There were 659 housing units at an average density of 15.2/sq mi (5.9/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.37% White, 0.09% Native American, 0.18% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 0.27% from other races, and 1.00% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.18% of the population. 24.8% were of English, 18.0% American, 12.1% Irish, 8.0% French, 6.5% German, 5.3% French Canadian and 5.0% Finnish ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 454 households out of which 32.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.5% were married couples living together, 11.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.0% were non-families. 24.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.90.

In the town the population was spread out with 26.8% under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 29.5% from 25 to 44, 23.2% from 45 to 64, and 13.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 95.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.9 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $29,250, and the median income for a family was $37,614. Males had a median income of $27,059 versus $20,547 for females. The per capita income for the town was $15,954. About 5.1% of families and 9.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.3% of those under age 18 and 14.9% of those age 65 or over.

ites of interest

* [http://www.mainemuseums.org/htm/museumdetail.php3?orgID=1610 Kingfield Historical Society Museum]
* [http://www.stanleymuseum.org/maine.html Stanley Museum]

References

External links

* [http://kingfield.govoffice.com/ Town of Kingfield, Maine]
* [http://www.kingfieldusa.com/ Kingfield Travel Guide]
* [http://history.rays-place.com/me/kingfield-me.htm History of Kingfield, Maine]