Brownfield, Maine

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

imagesize =
image_caption = Burnt Meadow Mountain


image_

|pushpin_

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

|mapsize =
map_caption =


mapsize1 =
map_caption1 =

subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = Maine
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Oxford
government_footnotes =
government_type =
leader_title =
leader_name =
leader_title1 =
leader_name1 =
established_title = Incorporated
established_date = 1802

unit_pref = Imperial
area_footnotes =
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 119.5
area_land_km2 = 116.2
area_water_km2 = 3.3
area_total_sq_mi = 46.1
area_land_sq_mi = 44.9
area_water_sq_mi = 1.3

population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 1251
population_density_km2 = 10.8
population_density_sq_mi = 27.9

timezone = Eastern (EST)
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 161
elevation_ft = 528
latd = 43 |latm = 56 |lats = 19 |latNS = N
longd = 70 |longm = 54 |longs = 2 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 04010
area_code = 207
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 23-08150
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0582373
website =
footnotes =

Brownfield is a town in Oxford County, Maine, United States. The population was 1,251 at the 2000 census. Brownfield is home to the Stone Mountain Arts Center.

History

The area was once territory of the Pequawket Abenaki Indians, whose main village was located at what is today Fryeburg. It was granted on January 23, 1764 by the Massachusetts General Court to Captain Henry Young Brown for his services in the French and Indian Wars. Settlement began about 1765. Brown was required to settle 38 families by June 10, 1770, with a minister recruited by 3 years after that. Unfortunately, a portion of the original grant was found to lie in New Hampshire.

Replacement land in Maine was granted to Brown on June 25, 1766. It was called Brownfield Addition, one part of which now lies within Hiram and Denmark. The township was first organized as Brownfield Plantation, named in honor of its principal proprietor. On February 20, 1802, it was incorporated as Brownfield. By the War of 1812, it had nearly 900 residents.

Farming was the chief occupation, with the Saco River providing water power for industry. Products of the mills included flour, long lumber, barrel staves, rocking chairs, clothing, carriages, sleighs and harness. After the Civil War, the Portland and Ogdensburg Railroad passed through the town, following the general course of the river. But the Great Fires of 1947 would destroy 85% of Brownfield. In an effort to replace lost commerce, a ski resort was proposed for Burnt Meadow Mountain. It opened in 1971 with a convert|3400|ft|m|sing=on T-bar lift, but after being renamed Zodiac Skiway in 1980, closed in 1982. Today, the T-bars are still hanging in place.

Notable residents

* Philo T. Farnsworth, inventor
* Paris Gibson, entrepreneur & politician
* Robert Goodenow, congressman
* Rufus K. Goodenow, congressman
* Bryan Smith, driver who struck Stephen King
* Carol Noonan, singer/songwriter

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 46.2 square miles (119.5 km²), of which, 44.9 square miles (116.2 km²) of it is land and 1.3 square miles (3.3 km²) of it (2.77%) is water. Situated beside the New Hampshire border, Brownfield is drained by the Saco River.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 1,251 people, 512 households, and 352 families residing in the town. The population density was 27.9 people per square mile (10.8/km²). There were 788 housing units at an average density of 17.6/sq mi (6.8/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.88% White, 0.16% Native American, 0.08% Pacific Islander, and 0.88% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.32% of the population.

There were 512 households out of which 29.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.7% were married couples living together, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.3% were non-families. 22.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.86.

In the town the population was spread out with 23.7% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 29.0% from 45 to 64, and 13.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 96.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.1 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $33,304, and the median income for a family was $39,886. Males had a median income of $30,893 versus $22,778 for females. The per capita income for the town was $16,037. About 4.9% of families and 8.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.5% of those under age 18 and 8.0% of those age 65 or over.

ites of interest

* [http://www.museumsusa.org/museums/info/1158745 Brownfield Historical Society & Museum]
* [http://www.stonemountainartscenter.com/ Stone Mountain Arts Center]

References

External links

* [http://www.brownfield.maine.gov/ Town of Brownfield, Maine]
* [http://www.brownfieldlibrary.org/ Brownfield Public Library]
* [http://history.rays-place.com/me/brownfield-me.htm History of Brownfield, Maine (1886)]
* [http://nelsap.org/me/burntmeadow.html History of Burnt Meadow Mountain Ski Area, 1971-1982]