Sorrento, Maine

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

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pushpin_label_position =left
pushpin_map_caption =Location within the state of Maine
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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = Maine
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Hancock
government_footnotes =
government_type = Board of Selectmen
leader_title =
leader_name =
leader_title1 =
leader_name1 =
established_title =
established_date = 1895

unit_pref = Imperial
area_footnotes =
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 38.4
area_land_km2 = 10.3
area_water_km2 = 28.1
area_total_sq_mi = 14.8
area_land_sq_mi = 4.0
area_water_sq_mi = 10.8

population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 290
population_density_km2 = 28.0
population_density_sq_mi = 72.6

timezone = Eastern (EST)
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 12
elevation_ft = 39
latd = 44 |latm = 28 |lats = 57 |latNS = N
longd = 68 |longm = 10 |longs = 55 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 04677
area_code = 207
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 23-69750
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0582730
website =
footnotes =

Sorrento is a town in Hancock County, Maine, United States. The population was 290 at the 2000 census.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 14.8 square miles (38.4 km²), of which, 4.0 square miles (10.3 km²) of it is land and 10.9 square miles (28.1 km²) of it (73.11%) is water.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 290 people, 128 households, and 93 families residing in the town. The population density was 72.6 people per square mile (28.1/km²). There were 282 housing units at an average density of 70.6/sq mi (27.3/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 96.21% White, 2.07% Native American, 0.34% Pacific Islander, 1.03% from other races, and 0.34% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.69% of the population.

There were 128 households out of which 21.9% had children under the age of 18, 60.2% were married couples living together, 9.4% had a single female, and 27.3% were non-families. 20.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.4% 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 2.59.

In the town, the population was spread out with 16.6% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 - 24, 21.0% from 25 - 44, 32.8% from 45 - 64, and 22.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47 years. For every 100 females there were 95.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.7 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $42,125, and the median income for a family was $47,083. Males had a median income of $24,167 versus $27,500 for females. The per capita income for the town was $23,791. About 3.4% of families and 5.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.4% of those under the age of eighteen and 3.0% of those sixty five or over.

History

Waukeag Neck, or present day Sorrento, began as a summer colony for Indian tribes from the Bangor area. Multiple shell heaps and artifacts have been found in Sorento and on neighboring islands by the Abbe Museum and Alice Wellman. The area of waukeag neck was first setttled first on Doane's Point by the Sullivans. The Sullivan's home was raided during the American Revolution because Capt. Daniel Sullivan was an American captain. The town of Sorrento was founded in 1895 after splitting from the neighboring town of Sullivan. It used to be home to a large hotel called the Hotel Sorrento that was built by Frank Jones, a New England ale maker who wanted to develop Sorrento into a resort community akin to Bar Harbor. A steamship serviced Sorrento for many and brought people from far and wide including Mrs. Grover Clevland, Secretary of War Daniel Lamont, and Supreme Court Chief Justice Melville Fuller who died of heart failure in Sorrento. After the Hotel Sorrento burned down and the Mt. Desert Land and Water Company collapsed, much of Sorrento was sold off.

Today

Today, Sorrento looks very much like it did one hundred years ago. With its gorgeous Victorian homes, beautiful harbor, and small population, it is an ideal summer and year round community. It is home to a seasonal Episcopal church called the Church of the Redeemer, a seasonal library, a dock, a denist's office, a town hall, a community center, a seasonal swimming pool and tennis courts, Blink Bonnie Golf Course, and a lobster pound. Downtown is mostly occupied by summer residents whereas the upper area of the peninsula is occupied mainly by year round inhabitants. Sorrento has served as the inspiration for many poets, painters, ministers, and authors.

Many of today's summer residents are related to each other. Some of the larger families include the Wheatlands, the Ewings, and the Chafee/Gambles. Today Sorrento is a very peaceful and quiet community that seems to be stuck in time. Individuals such as former Senator Lincoln Chafee and Bill Webber a former president of New York Theological Seminary maintain residences in the town, and was formerly home to acclaimed children's author Beppie Noyes and minister and author Dr. George D. Younger. During the summer the Sorrento Village Improvement Association(VIA) runs activities such as golf, tennis, sailing, swimming, and a children's day camp.

References

External links

* [http://www.sorrentovia.org Sorrento VIA]