Addison is a town

New England town

The New England town is the basic unit of local government in each of the six New England states. Without a direct counterpart in most other U.S. states, New England towns are conceptually similar to civil townships in other states, but are incorporated, possessing powers like cities in other...

 in Washington County

Washington County, Maine

Washington County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maine. In 2010, its population was 32,856. Its county seat is Machias.Sometimes referred to as "Sunrise County" because it is the easternmost county in the United States, and it is often where the rising sun first shines on the 48...

, Maine

Maine

Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...

, United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

. The town was named after English author Joseph Addison

Joseph Addison

Joseph Addison was an English essayist, poet, playwright and politician. He was a man of letters, eldest son of Lancelot Addison...

. The population was 1,209 according to the 2000 census.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau

United States Census Bureau

The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...

, the town has a total area of 97.2 square miles (251.7 km²) of which 42.4 square miles (109.8 km²) is land and 54.8 square miles (141.9 km²)(56.41%) is water.

Demographics

As of the census

Census

A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...

of 2000, there were 1,209 people, 489 households, and 341 families with a population density

Population density

Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...

 of 28.5 people per square mile (11.0/km²), and 723 housing units at an average density of 17.1 per square mile (6.6/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.10% White, 0.58% African American, 0.25% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 0.08% from other races

Race (United States Census)

Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...

, and 0.66% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.17% of the population.

There were 489 households out of which 31.1% of which had children under the age of 18 living in them, 59.5% were married couples

Marriage

Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...

 living together, 6.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.1% were non-families. 21.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.83.

In the town the population was spread with 23.5% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 26.8% from 25 to 44, 29.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 96.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.4 males.

The median

Median

In probability theory and statistics, a median is described as the numerical value separating the higher half of a sample, a population, or a probability distribution, from the lower half. The median of a finite list of numbers can be found by arranging all the observations from lowest value to...

 income for a household in the town was $26,083, and the median income for a family was $30,000. Males had a median income of $22,432 versus $18,194 for females. The per capita income

Per capita income

Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...

 for the town was $15,951. About 14.7% of families and 20.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.9% of those under age 18 and 16.6% of those age 65 or over.

History

The history of Addison is based upon the area's natural resources that once drove the local and
regional economy. Its proximity to the coast meant that major industries included fishing and boat building. Early residents engaged successfully in a variety of businesses, and many current residents can trace their families back to the town’s early days and continue to work in maritime industries. Addison still enjoys many of the benefits of a close-knit community; as a small town, its people look out for one another. Keeping with this trend, while encouraging new development, many residents of the town believe that it should seek to maintain a link to its heritage through the protection of historically significant buildings, and that they should continue to collect and preserve the town's historical records.

Population

The population of Addison has experienced slight long-term growth; its population is aging as a result. The number of school age children has declined, shown by decreasing local school
enrollments. As with the whole of Washington County, the town has seen a decrease in the average household size. In addition, more retiree and single parent households can be found.
Limited employment opportunities is the main reason for this decline in the number of young families residing in Addison.

Natural Resources

Addison currently offers protection to its natural resources with locally adopted shore land zoning regulations, land use and subdivision regulations. These ordinance provisions will be updated to be consistent with the minimum requirements of state and federal regulations as is mandated and to ensure that Addison retains its fishing village character. The importance of commercial fisheries to Addison cannot be overestimated.

Protecting public shore and water access and maintaining a healthy balance of the industry and natural beauty is crucial especially in light of the rate of coastal development. The existing marine districts will be reviewed to ensure that they protect the rights of marine and commercial marine related activities while accommodating some residential development. The town will seek to ensure that traditional use of lands and access to water are protected as development pressures increase over the planning period.

Economy

The top three sectors of employment for Addison are ‘Agriculture, forestry, and fisheries, mining’; ‘Education, health and social services’; and ‘Retail trade. The top sector is comprised nearly entirely of marine based work. The second sector mainly constitutes those employed by the public schools. Addison’s median household income increased considerably (53.6%) since 1990 and marginally surpasses median income in the county but is considerably lower than median income in the state. However, Addison had a considerable decrease (-41.1%) in total taxable sales for the period of 1997 to 2002. In addition almost 15 percent of Addison families had incomes below the poverty level in 2000, which included 244 individuals, a ratio comparable to Washington County. With the aging of our population, the size of our workforce continues to decrease.

Living in a rural area limits employment opportunities and increases the costs of commuting to the service centers where many of the newly created jobs are located. The local government should strive to encourage and maintain appropriate marine based development that will better employ residents. Growth needs to be channeled to areas of town capable of handling development while incurring minimal cost to the municipality. The town will continue to encourage responsible commercial development through land use regulations, regional coordination and marketing.

Housing

Affordable housing is often defined as not costing more than 30% of household income. The data reviewed suggest that the cost of housing in Addison is affordable for most people in the community. However, the home price that could be afforded at the housing market median household income of $28,475 was $77,837.

Existing land use ordinances do not impose significant costs on the cost of building homes and the majority of people live in owner-occupied single-family housing. The desire for vacation homes on coastal properties by non-residents has raised the value, and assessment, of many properties in Addison. Many young families find that they must move inland to find affordable lots for new construction. There is a range of new housing in town, with mobile or manufactured homes often utilized. The percentage of homes owned by those in the workforce is likely to decline further while the percentage of homes owned by retirees - both those from away and natives - will increase.

Recreation

Addison has recreational opportunities that derive from the natural resources of the town, the region, and some municipal recreational facilities. Some of the town's most important recreational resources rely on shorefront access, which we should seek to maintain and improve.

Transportation

Transportation linkages in Addison consist of Addison Road in Columbia to Water Street at the Columbia town-line which connects the village area to Route 1 in the town of Columbia at the Four Corners. Water Street is the main thoroughfare through the village of Addison. It continues south and, after crossing the Pleasant River, forks at East Side Road which provides access to South Addison. The other fork provides a link with Route 187 where a turn north goes to Columbia Falls and a turn south goes to Jonesport at the Indian River boundary between the two towns. Connecting links to South Addison and Addison Point are provided off 187 down Basin Road. East Side and Basin Roads provide a perimeter corridor around the peninsula and West Side road provides access to the west side of the Pleasant River estuary and on into the neighboring town of Harrington.

Addison is reliant on its road network as the primary means of transportation. Therefore, local roads should provide safe, reliable access to work, school, stores, and residences. Overall, roadways in Addison are in relatively good condition.

Given its limited funding and the significant expense, the town has done a noteworthy job of maintaining its roads. Continued proper and affordable maintenance of the road network in Addison is in the interest of all residents though financial support for doing so was not particularly supported in the public survey.

Since MDOT has a jurisdiction over the roads supporting the highest volume of traffic in Addison, the town will continue to communicate and cooperate with the department. Addison has a paving schedule for roads that are currently unpaved and requires all new roads to be constructed to specific municipal standards.

Public Facilities and Services

Through proper maintenance and investment, Addison’s public facilities and services have remained in good condition overall. The town has prepared a Capital Improvement Plan as further discussed in the fiscal capacity section. Previously, it has provided reserve accounts for many necessary items. Prudent management decisions at the local level have prevented the town from being forced to make large capital investments within one tax year. However, there are issues that do need to be addressed including a fire house; renovated or new town hall; sand and salt shed; and wharf in South Addison.

Fiscal Capacity

Addison has been doing well in managing its finances over the last five years. The mil rate has fallen somewhat mostly in response to decreases in municipal expenditures. In the past, the town has budgeted for capital improvements through grants and reserve accounts. The town proposes a Capital Improvement Plan to finance many improvements that will allow for future growth.

Land Use

Addison has experienced limited development pressure during the 1990s and a limited amount of growth is expected to continue. Support exists for some regulation on development activity but there is concern that it not be excessive or burdensome. We have drawn from many sources including the survey to plan for our future and develop a land use plan. This Plan is intended to protect our town's character, to support maritime commercial activities and to ensure compatibility among residential, commercial and industrial activities. It also seeks to ensure that residents can continue to support themselves with a mixture of activities necessitated by seasonal and diverse rural livelihoods.

Historic and Archaeological Resources

The Town of Addison was named by the first settlers along the Pleasant River (Pleasant Bay)

Pleasant River (Pleasant Bay)

The Pleasant River is a river in Washington County, Maine. From the outflow of Pleasant River Lake in Beddington, the river runs south, east, and south to Pleasant Bay. The river's mouth is on the border between the towns of Harrington and Addison....

, after British essayist and poet Joseph Addison

Joseph Addison

Joseph Addison was an English essayist, poet, playwright and politician. He was a man of letters, eldest son of Lancelot Addison...

 who lived from 1672 to 1719. The town celebrated its bicentennial in 1997 and reissued an updated history - Addison Then and Now - an engagingand thorough chronicle of the town.

Originally published in 1982, the bicentennial edition is full of photos, descriptions of early
enterprises, schools, churches, war veterans, public servants and vessels built in the former
shipyards. The Comprehensive Plan reproduces here the relevant facts of Addison’s history but
directs readers to this wonderful history of place and people.

Early migrants to the region were attracted by the abundance of marsh hay in places like
Addison. Plentiful codfish also brought settlers from Martha's Vineyard and Cape Cod

Cape Cod

Cape Cod, often referred to locally as simply the Cape, is a cape in the easternmost portion of the state of Massachusetts, in the Northeastern United States...

 during
the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The population peaked in 1860 at 1,272 persons when shipbuilding was the dominant feature of the local economy. Twenty-one vessels were constructed in Addison between 1860 and 1869. Quarrying of local granite began in the late 19th century and lasted well into the middle of the 20th century, gradually declining into nonexistence in 1958 with the closing of the quarry on Harwood Island.

The role of the seas has been an important one in Addison's history, providing several major
occupations revolving around fishing, fish processing, shipbuilding and shipping. Seamen were
involved in the coastal trade and deep water voyages. The coastal trade, or coasting as it was
called, was the main source of transportation for people and goods until rail service was initiated in the late 19th century. Many of the people who lived in Addison depended on coasting for their living. The timber industry and its mills along with granite quarrying and silver mining were the other major industries in Addison. In the late 1980s and early nineties the economy of Addison is as Louis Ploch has characterized it, "A variation on the theme of getting by ... through a skillful and, in some cases, an ingenious combination of clamming, lobstering, worming and wreathing."

Agriculture has never been a major factor in Addison's commercial life. While people farmed,
they apparently did so as an adjunct to other businesses and occupations.

Key Dates in History

• pre-1603 Red Paint People and other Native American settlements and activities
• 1604 Champlain visited general region
• 1770-1800 Migrants from Cape Cod to Addison for cod fishing, utilization of salt

marsh hay, and other small farming and forestry occupations

• 1797 Town of Addison incorporated
• 1800 Three thriving villages established in Addison: Addison Point, Indian

River, and South Addison

• 1860-1869 Peak of ship building era in Addison
• 1860 Population peaks at 1262
• 1866 100 Addison residents migrate to Palestine aboard the "Nellie

Chapman" to join a religious community

• 1800-1900 90 wooden ships built in Addison during this period
• 1891 last of the wooden schooners, "Annie M. Preble" built and launched in

Addison

• 1880-1950 Period of quarry operations for local "black diamond" granite
• 1880-1950 Local seafood processing at its peak in Addison
• 1938 Great Addison Point village fire - several businesses lost
• 1960 Population declines to lowest level since 1800 - 744 persons

Early Settlement

The earliest white settlers in Addison were from Martha’s Vineyard. They were looking for richer farmlands, cod and good meadow grass for their cattle. Some of the earliest permanent settlers, of whom we have any knowledge, were William Hix, Wilmont Wass, Moses Plummer, Seth Norton, Richard Samuel Coffin, Daniel Look and John Nash,Tilly White of Lancaster, Massachusetts, with most arriving in 1767. Addison was settled about 1779 and was organized as a plantation, known as “Number Six West of Machias”. It was then called Pleasant River and also “Englishman’s River”. It was incorporated as a town on February 14, 1797, and named in honor of the English writer, Joseph Addison. The Bangor Historical Magazine gives the entire number of inhabitants as 213, on April 27, 1778. It is said, “practically all the residents of Addison are descendents in one way or another of the Vineyard Settlers.”

The town itself spreads over a large area and includes many islands, coves and headlands In the late 19th century and into the 20th century there were manufacturing plants including clam, sardine, blueberry and lobster canneries. None of these are in existence at the present time. Today Addison is mainly a fishing port with lobsters, scallops, clams, periwinkles and mussels as the principal catches.

Mayhew Library

The Mayhew Library called the “Addison Public Library” when it first opened on January 30, 1892,
the library was renamed in 1897 to honor both Calista Wass Mayhew, the daughter of David and
Hadassah Wass, and her husband, Francis L Mayhew, who had generously aided and supported its
growth during its early years.

The first library building was on the North Side of Water Street, in a building that also served as a shoe shop and telegraph office. The telegraph operator Minnie Wass, was the first librarian, while her brother, Frank N. Wass, ran a harness and shoe shop in the same building. In 1915 Calista Wass Mayhew purchased the building and the lot on which it stood, and gave it to the library association.

In May 1938, the devastating fire at Addison Point destroyed the old Mayhew Library. Herbert and
Ross Ward, who lost their house in the fire, donated their vacant lot to the library association. The present library building was erected on this site, opening to the public on December 20, 1939.

Addison has two buildings that are listed on the National Registry of Historic Buildings (the Indian River Baptist Church and the Union Evangelical Church on the Ridge Road).

The Maine Historic Preservation Commission lists 28 prehistoric archaeological sites along the
Addison coastline, 11 of which are considered significant. The Pleasant River Historical Society helps build public awareness of the importance of historic sites and buildings. There is currently no direct municipal involvement in protecting historic resources in Addison.

Quarries

After the Civil War a construction boom on the eastern seaboard stimulated a rise in granite quarries. There were several quarries in Addison. The “Pleasant River Block Granite Company” was located on the east side of Pleasant River; the “Black Diamond Granite Quarry” (Lang’s Quarry) was on Yoho Bay; a paving stone quarry was located on the west side of the river; and Moose-A-Bec Quarry on Hardwood Island.

Stone in the rough shape and monuments made here were shipped to all parts of the United States
and were used in the construction of many famous buildings. The quarries dwindled as the demand for granite declines, ceasing around 1920. However, in recent years there has been a quarry started in the Basin area known as the Fletcher Granite Co.

Schools

The first schools in town were held in private homes. Gradually the town established separate
school districts: in 1855 there were 14 districts, with additional pupils on Nash Island. There were one-room one-teacher schools. Later the S.S. Nash School at the Point became the sole school for Addison students.

In the fall of 1966 Addison consolidated with five other towns into SAD 37, with Narraguagus High School in Harrington serving the whole district. In 1975 the D.W. Merritt Elementary School was constructed for all students, K-8.

Shipyards

Since everything had to be shipped by water, shipbuilding was very important for the growth of the town. There were four shipyards making the center of the little town a busy spot. The four yards located on crooked Pleasant River were Look Brother’s Yard, Knowles Shipyards, Nash Shipyard and the William Nash Shipyard.

At least 83 vessels were built in Addison from 1800-to 1900. The peak decade was 1860-1870 when
21 vessels were constructed. The Annie M. Preble was the last vessel built in Addison during the
peak years. It would be more than 100 years before another vessel would be built on the banks of
the Pleasant River; “RawFaith” in 2003

In 1866, in Leander Knowles’ shipyard the vessel “Nellie Chapin” was built. This was the ship on
which the Palestine Emigration Colony made their ill-fated voyage to Jaffa that year. Many members of the Colony were from Addison, Indian River and Jonesport. They had sold their land and possessions with the plan to settle in Jaffa. When their settlement failed many families returned home to Maine practically destitute. A few families went further west and set up new homes in Michigan.

Historic Buildings

The Maine Historic Preservation Commission maintains an inventory of important sites including
buildings or sites on the National Registry of Historic Places (NRHP). They record two such listings for the town both of which are shown on Map 2, Addison Public Facilities and Cemeteries:

• Indian River Baptist Church
  Indian River Baptist Church (Addison, Maine)
  The former Indian River Baptist Church built in 1853 is an historic wooden Italianate building located on State Route 187 in the Indian River section of Addison, Maine, in the United States...
  
  , Route 187
• UNION evangelical Church, Addison Ridge Road

MHPC notes that a comprehensive survey of Addison’s above-ground historic resources is
needed to identify other properties which may be eligible for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places. The following buildings, shown on Map 2: Addison Public Facilities and Cemeteries, are of historic importance to the town’s residents and might be worth consideration for listing on the National Register of Historic Places for Addison:

• The Church on the Hill - “Baptist Church Society”
• Indian River Grange Hall

There are many older homes in Addison and if property owners choose to nominate their properties
to the National Historic Register they are encouraged to do so.

Cemeteries

Cemeteries are a cultural resource providing insight into the history of the community. There are approximately forty cemeteries and family graveyards in Addison including a few additional
cemeteries in the bordering towns of Jonesport and Harrington that have been catalogued and
published complete in 1998 by members of the Pleasant River Historical Society.

• Addison Point and West Side
  • Church Hill Cemetery
  • Nash Cemetery at Addison Point on West Branch Stream
  • Dyer Cemetery on the llama farm property
  • Cemetery on Nat Lord property, (in Harrington)
  • Ramsdell's Cove Cemetery, (in Harrington)
• Wescogus
  • Wescogus Cemetery on Tracy corner
  • Norton Cemetery, on the road to Wescogus
  • Merritt Cemetery, behind the gravel pit on Route 187
  • Marshall/Sawyer Cemetery in John Foss field
• Indian River. Basin and along the south part of Route 187
  • Indian River Cemetery, (in Jonesport)
  • Leighton Cemetery at Hall's Hill
  • Zebediah Alley family, on Crowley's Island
  • Crowley's Island Cemetery
  • William Gray family Cemetery on Basin Road
  • Hiram Tabbutt family Cemetery
  • Carver Cemetery on the Lang's Quarry Road
  • Basin Cemetery
  • Cemetery near Margaret Stevens (none found)
  • Batson Cemetery, near Ronnie Look
  • Newberry Cemetery near, Austin Lamson
  • Kelley Cemetery near the shore
  • Chandler Cemetery on Bickford Point
  • Joyville Cemetery
  • Doyle Island
• East Side
  • Norton Family Cemetery, behind Carlton Norton's
  • Look Family Cemetery, north of Walter Batson's
  • Look Cemetery
  • Eastside Cemetery
  • Graves at Three Brooks (none found)
  • Look Graves behind Preble house
  • Foster, Hinkley, Irons & Norton graves, near Stoddard House
  • Look and Redimarker, behind Shirley Redimarker's
  • Farnsworth graves in Walter Batson's pasture
• South Addison and Cape Split
  • South Addison Cemetery
  • Cape Split Cemetery
  • Ladd-Look Family Cemetery
  • Wass Cemetery near Miranda Thompson house
  • Harry and Vesta Wass Cemetery
  • Tabbutt Cemetery, across from Lea Reiber field
  • Christopher Wass Cemetery

External links