43-545: South Berwick is a town in York County , Maine , United States. The population was 7,467 at the 2020 census . South Berwick is home to Berwick Academy , a private, co-educational university-preparatory day school founded in 1791. The town was set off from Berwick in 1814, followed by North Berwick in 1831. It is part of the Portland – South Portland – Biddeford , Maine metropolitan statistical area . The primary village in
86-550: A palisaded trading post , to exchange goods with the Indians. In 1634, William Chadbourne, James Wall, and John Goddard arrived from England aboard the ship Pied Cow to build a sawmill and gristmill at Assabumbadoc Falls. The first houses built in South Berwick were built by Chadbourne and Wall. Chadbourne's house was in the northwesterly angle of Brattle Street and Dow Highway (Rt. 236). Richard Leader , an engineer, rebuilt
129-569: Is Alfred . York County is part of the Portland – South Portland , Maine Metropolitan Statistical Area . The first patent establishing the Province of Maine was granted on August 10, 1622, to Ferdinando Gorges and John Mason by the Plymouth Council for New England , which itself had been granted a royal patent by James I to the coast of North America between the 40th and the 48th parallels "from sea to sea". This first patent encompassed
172-622: Is divided from Strafford County, New Hampshire , by the Salmon Falls River and the connected tidal estuary, the Piscataqua River . York County was permanently established in 1639. Several of Maine's earliest colonial settlements are found in the county, which is the state's oldest and one of the oldest in the United States. As of the 2020 census , its population was 211,972, making it Maine's second-most populous county. Its county seat
215-632: Is drained by the Great Works River and Salmon Falls River . Welch Hill, elevation 370 feet (112.8 m) above sea level, is the town's highest point. The lowest elevation, which is sea level, is located along the Salmon Falls River, from the small hydroelectric dam next to the New Hampshire Route 4 bridge, south to the town's border with Eliot. As of the census of 2010, there were 7,220 people, 2,729 households, and 1,979 families residing in
258-405: Is held on the grounds of Central School, the primary elementary school for the town of South Berwick. 43°14′04″N 70°48′34″W / 43.23444°N 70.80944°W / 43.23444; -70.80944 York County, Maine York County is both the southernmost and the westernmost county in the U.S. state of Maine , along the state of New Hampshire 's eastern border. It
301-442: Is located near its northwestern corner, on a plateau above the Salmon Falls River , which separates it from Rollinsford, New Hampshire . This land was first purchased by European settlers from local Native Americans in 1643. Located near the head of navigation of the Salmon Falls River, its early development was near the river, as a port from which lumber for ship masts was shipped to England. The area known as "The Plains", where
344-648: Is now southern Maine, and by 1658 had completely absorbed what is now southwestern Maine into York County, Massachusetts . The first known and recorded offer for a purchase of land in York County is in 1668, when Francis Small traded goods with the Newichewannock tribe of this area. Their Chief Wesumbe, also known as Captain Sandy, was friendly with Small and warned him of a plot against his life. A group of renegade tribesmen planned on murdering Small instead of paying him with
387-675: The Federal style mansion is now a museum operated by Historic New England , which also owns the Sarah Orne Jewett House , built in 1774 overlooking Central Square. According to the United States Census Bureau , the town has a total area of 32.64 square miles (84.54 km), of which 32.13 square miles (83.22 km) is land and 0.51 square miles (1.32 km) water. Located beside the New Hampshire border, South Berwick
430-485: The U.S. Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 1,270 square miles (3,300 km ), of which 991 square miles (2,570 km ) is land and 279 square miles (720 km ) (22%) is water. At the 2000 census , there were 186,742 people, 74,563 households and 50,851 families living in the county. The population density was 188 inhabitants per square mile (73/km ). There were 94,234 housing units at an average density of 95 per square mile (37/km ). The racial makeup of
473-509: The 9th oldest town in Maine. It was named after Berwick-upon-Tweed , a town of mixed allegiances on the Anglo-Scottish border . What evolved into today's Berwick Academy opened in 1791. On February 12, 1814, South Berwick was set off and incorporated. During the 19th century, various mills were erected at the rivers to use their water power . At the head of navigation , Quampheagan Falls on
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#1732858544475516-724: The Salmon Falls River became the site of the Portsmouth Manufacturing Company. Established in 1831, the cotton textile mill had 7000 spindles and 216 looms , which by 1868 produced 2 million yards of sheeting per year. The mill closed in 1893, and most of its brick buildings were razed about 1917, but the Greek Revival counting house is now the Old Berwick Historical Society Museum. South Berwick also made woolens , shoes , plows , and cultivators , as well as sawn and planed lumber . The town
559-424: The age of 18 living with them, 59.1% were married couples living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 27.5% were non-families. 21.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.09. The median age in
602-418: The age of 18 living with them, 64.3% were married couples living together, 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.1% were non-families. 18.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.76 and the average family size was 3.17. In the town, the population was spread out, with 30.4% under
645-459: The age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 32.8% from 25 to 44, 23.0% from 45 to 64, and 8.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.0 males. The median income for a household in the town was $ 53,201, and the median income for a family was $ 59,330. Males had a median income of $ 40,107 versus $ 25,729 for females. The per capita income for
688-472: The area between the Piscataqua and Kennebec Rivers , in the form of a royal charter from Charles I of England . The area was roughly the same as that covered in the 1622 patent after the 1629 split with Mason. The second colony also foundered for lack of money and settlers, although it survived the death of Gorges in 1647. In the 1650s the nearby Massachusetts Bay Colony asserted territorial claims over what
731-569: The coast between the Merrimack and Kennebec rivers, as well as an irregular parcel of land between the headwaters of the two rivers. In 1629, Gorges and Mason agreed to split the patent at the Piscataqua River , with Mason retaining the land south of the river as the Province of New Hampshire . Gorges named his more northerly piece of territory New Somersetshire . This venture failed, however, because of lack of funds and colonial settlement. Also failed
774-561: The county led to its division in 1760, with Cumberland and Lincoln counties carved out of its eastern portions. When Massachusetts adopted its state government in 1780, it created the District of Maine to manage its eastern territories. In 1805 the northern portion of York County was separated to form part of Oxford County . When Maine achieved statehood in 1820 all of the counties of the District of Maine became counties of Maine . According to
817-438: The county was 97.56% White , 0.42% Black or African American , 0.24% Native American , 0.73% Asian , 0.03% Pacific Islander , 0.17% from other races , and 0.85% from two or more races. 0.70% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. The most cited ethnicities were English (17.9%), French (14.5%), French Canadian (13.9%), Irish (12.5%), United States or American (9.6%) and Italian (5.1%). 90.84% of
860-400: The county. The population density was 199.0 inhabitants per square mile (76.8/km ). There were 105,773 housing units at an average density of 106.8 per square mile (41.2/km ). The racial makeup of the county was 96.4% white, 1.1% Asian, 0.6% black or African American, 0.3% American Indian, 0.3% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.3% of
903-477: The early brick commercial buildings that still stand. The district's main focus is the very center of the village, at the junction of Main Street ( Maine State Route 236 ) and Portland Street ( Maine State Route 4 ). It radiates north, south, and east along these roads, and includes short stretches of Academy Street, Highland Avenue, and Agamenticus Road. Prominent features include the series of commercial buildings on
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#1732858544475946-434: The first candidate from any party to break 70,000 votes in the county, doing so in 2020 . At the same time, it has voted for Republican Senator Susan Collins in all of her reelection campaigns, most recently in 2020 . 43°25′N 70°40′W / 43.41°N 70.67°W / 43.41; -70.67 South Berwick Village Historic District The South Berwick Village Historic District encompasses
989-630: The furs that were owed to him. Small escaped after watching his house in what is now Cornish, Maine, burn to the ground. Small returned and rebuilt. The Chief made up the loss by selling Small all the lands bounded by the Great and Little Ossipee Rivers, the Saco River, and the New Hampshire border. Known now as the five Ossipee towns, the tract included all of Limington, Limerick, Cornish (formerly named Francisborough), Newfield and Parsonsfield. The large size of
1032-463: The historic village center of South Berwick, Maine . First settled in the 1640s, the village developed along a major route between Boston, Massachusetts and Portland, Maine in the early 19th century. The village has about 150 years of architecture reflective of this history, and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2010. The village center of the town of South Berwick
1075-406: The population spoke English and 6.92% spoke French as their first language. There were 74,563 households, of which 32.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.00% were married couples living together, 9.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.80% were non-families. 24.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.70% had someone living alone who
1118-497: The population. In terms of ancestry, 22.3% were English , 19.3% were Irish , 9.8% were French Canadian , 8.1% were German , 7.9% were Italian , 5.8% were American , and 5.6% were Scottish . Of the 81,009 households, 29.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.4% were married couples living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 34.4% were non-families, and 26.5% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size
1161-420: The present village is located, developed later, as the road between Boston , Portsmouth, and Portland became more important in the late 18th century. It became a stagecoach stop on this route, and the town center migrated to the north of the original river-oriented village. The town center was devastated by fire in 1845, destroying many wood-frame commercial buildings, and resulting in the construction of some of
1204-595: The project was abandoned, the men Levett left behind disappeared, and Levett died aboard ship on his return to England from the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1630. One part of Levett's scheme did survive: the name of York, which now adorns the county. The now-decommissioned Fort Levett on Cushing Island in Casco Bay is named for Capt. Levett. In 1639, Gorges obtained a renewed patent, the Gorges Patent , for
1247-516: The sawmill in 1651 to handle up to 20 saws. The factory became known as the "Great mill workes," from which the Great Works River derives its name. It was run by 25 Scottish prisoners of war captured by Oliver Cromwell 's forces at the 1650 Battle of Dunbar and transported aboard the Unity to North America. They were sold as indentured servants whose labor would earn them freedom. The community
1290-569: The town is the South Berwick census-designated place . The area was called Newichawannock by the Abenaki Indians , meaning "river with many falls," a reference to the Salmon Falls River . It was first settled by Europeans about 1631 as a part of Kittery known as Kittery North Parish. Near the confluence with the Great Works River , Ambrose Gibbons built the Great House at Newichawannock,
1333-618: The town was $ 21,118. About 2.8% of families and 2.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.3% of those under age 18 and 7.1% of those age 65 or over. Since 1976, South Berwick has hosted a Strawberry Festival on the last Saturday in June. Originally organized to celebrate the United States Bicentennial , its popularity has convinced the festival's organizers to hold it each year since. It includes shops, food, games and rides for children and trolley rides. The festival
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1376-402: The town was 40.5 years. 26.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.5% were from 25 to 44; 32.4% were from 45 to 64; and 10.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 49.4% male and 50.6% female. As of the census of 2000, there were 6,671 people, 2,403 households, and 1,847 families residing in the town. The population density
1419-468: The town. The population density was 224.7 inhabitants per square mile (86.8/km). There were 2,911 housing units at an average density of 90.6 per square mile (35.0/km). The racial makeup of the town was 97.5% White , 0.2% African American , 0.2% Native American , 0.8% Asian , 0.2% from other races , and 1.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.8% of the population. There were 2,729 households, of which 38.3% had children under
1462-540: The west side of Main Street, the Sarah Orne Jewett House (a museum and National Historic Landmark ) at the northeast corner of Main and Portland, and a small memorial park near the eastern end of the district on Portland Street. Churches mark the northern and southern ends of the district, including the Free Will Baptist Church at the north end of Main Street, and the Federated Church and Baptist Church at
1505-459: Was $ 43,630, and the median family income was $ 51,419. Males had a median income of $ 36,317 versus $ 26,016 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 21,225. About 5.90% of families and 8.20% of the population were below the poverty line , including 9.90% of those under age 18 and 8.50% of those age 65 or over. As of the 2010 United States census , there were 197,131 people, 81,009 households, and 53,136 families living in
1548-485: Was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.89. The median age was 43.0 years. The median income for a household in the county was $ 55,008 and the median income for a family was $ 65,077. Males had a median income of $ 47,117 versus $ 34,001 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 27,137. About 5.6% of families and 8.5% of the population were below the poverty line , including 10.4% of those under age 18 and 8.1% of those age 65 or over. Historically, York County
1591-448: Was 207.5 inhabitants per square mile (80.1/km). There were 2,488 housing units at an average density of 77.4 per square mile (29.9/km). The racial makeup of the town was 97.63% White , 0.30% African American , 0.30% Native American , 0.66% Asian , 0.27% from other races , and 0.84% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.67% of the population. There were 2,403 households, out of which 44.0% had children under
1634-434: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 2.96. Age distribution was 24.80% under the age of 18, 6.90% from 18 to 24, 30.00% from 25 to 44, 24.80% from 45 to 64, and 13.60% who were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females, there were 94.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.40 males. The median age was 38 years. The median household income
1677-576: Was a venture by Capt. Christopher Levett , an agent for Gorges and a member of the Council for New England. With the King's blessing, Levett embarked on a scheme to found a colony on the site of present-day Portland . Levett was granted 6,000 acres (24 km ) of land, the first Englishman to own the soil of Portland. There he proposed to found a settlement named York after the city of his birth in England. Ultimately,
1720-475: Was dubbed the Parish of Unity after the ship. The village was attacked in 1675 during King Philip's War , then raided again in 1690–1691 during King William's War by Indians under the command of officers from New France , who burned the Parish of Unity to the ground. It was abandoned, but resettled in 1703 under its Abenaki name, Newichawannock. The Massachusetts General Court incorporated it in 1713 as Berwick ,
1763-595: Was noted for its apple orchards . Some inhabitants worked across the bridge in Rollinsford , New Hampshire at the Salmon Falls Manufacturing Company, which closed in 1927. The village center was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2010. In 1901, local author Sarah Orne Jewett set her historical romance The Tory Lover at the Hamilton House in South Berwick. Built about 1785,
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1806-548: Was one of the more Democratic counties in Maine, a solid Republican state for much of the 19th and 20th centuries. York backed Democrat Woodrow Wilson in both 1912 and 1916 , and voted for the Democratic nominee in each election from 1936 to 1948 , even as the state as a whole backed the Republican in each of those elections. It was also one of only two counties in Maine to back Democrat John F. Kennedy in 1960 ( Androscoggin
1849-457: Was the other). Since 1952 , it has voted for the statewide winner in each presidential election, except for 1976 when Democrat Jimmy Carter won York County while the state as a whole voted for Republican Gerald Ford . Although home to the Bush family compound , it only supported the Bush family in one of its four presidential runs (that of George H. W. Bush in 1988 ). Democrat Joe Biden became
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