Casco, Maine
Encyclopedia
Farmer
s found the surface of the town uneven, its hard and rocky soil "tolerably productive." Outlets of ponds, however, provided Casco with good sites for water powered mills
. The town had four sawmill
s, four gristmill
s, a shook mill, a barrel stave
mill, four shingle
factories, a carriage
factory and a tannery
. In 1832, the Cumberland and Oxford Canal
made Sebago Lake
a direct trade route to Portland
. Steamboat
travel commenced on the waterways in the 1840s, carrying tourists and freight.
In 1938, Sebago Lake State Park
was established, one of the state's five original state parks.
, the town has a total area of 36.4 square miles (94.3 km²), of which 31.3 square miles (81.1 km²) is land and 5.2 square miles (13.5 km²), or 14.16%, is water. Casco is drained by the Crooked River
and Songo River
.
The town is crossed by U.S. Route 302 and state routes 11, 85 and 121. It borders the towns of Raymond
to the southeast, Naples
and Otisfield
to the northwest, and Poland
to the northeast.
of 2000, there were 3,469 people, 1,327 households, and 958 families residing in the town. The population density
was 110.9 people per square mile (42.8/km²). There were 1,958 housing units at an average density of 62.6 per square mile (24.2/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.95% White, 0.29% African American, 0.37% Native American, 0.52% Asian, 0.12% from other races
, and 0.75% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.52% of the population.
There were 1,327 households out of which 34.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.3% were married couples
living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.8% were non-families. 20.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the town the population was spread out with 25.2% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 32.1% from 25 to 44, 24.7% from 45 to 64, and 11.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 97.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.3 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $41,629, and the median income for a family was $49,500. Males had a median income of $31,679 versus $25,306 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $19,306. About 5.3% of families and 8.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.5% of those under age 18 and 9.8% of those age 65 or over.
Farmer
A farmer is a person engaged in agriculture, who raises living organisms for food or raw materials, generally including livestock husbandry and growing crops, such as produce and grain...
s found the surface of the town uneven, its hard and rocky soil "tolerably productive." Outlets of ponds, however, provided Casco with good sites for water powered mills
Watermill
A watermill is a structure that uses a water wheel or turbine to drive a mechanical process such as flour, lumber or textile production, or metal shaping .- History :...
. The town had four sawmill
Sawmill
A sawmill is a facility where logs are cut into boards.-Sawmill process:A sawmill's basic operation is much like those of hundreds of years ago; a log enters on one end and dimensional lumber exits on the other end....
s, four gristmill
Gristmill
The terms gristmill or grist mill can refer either to a building in which grain is ground into flour, or to the grinding mechanism itself.- Early history :...
s, a shook mill, a barrel stave
Barrel
A barrel or cask is a hollow cylindrical container, traditionally made of vertical wooden staves and bound by wooden or metal hoops. Traditionally, the barrel was a standard size of measure referring to a set capacity or weight of a given commodity. A small barrel is called a keg.For example, a...
mill, four shingle
Roof shingle
Roof shingles are a roof covering consisting of individual overlapping elements. These elements are typically flat rectangular shapes laid in rows from the bottom edge of the roof up, with each successive higher row overlapping the joints in the row below...
factories, a carriage
Carriage
A carriage is a wheeled vehicle for people, usually horse-drawn; litters and sedan chairs are excluded, since they are wheelless vehicles. The carriage is especially designed for private passenger use and for comfort or elegance, though some are also used to transport goods. It may be light,...
factory and a tannery
Tanning
Tanning is the making of leather from the skins of animals which does not easily decompose. Traditionally, tanning used tannin, an acidic chemical compound from which the tanning process draws its name . Coloring may occur during tanning...
. In 1832, the Cumberland and Oxford Canal
Cumberland and Oxford Canal
The Cumberland and Oxford Canal was opened in 1832 to connect the largest lakes of southern Maine with the seaport of Portland, Maine. The canal followed the Presumpscot River from Sebago Lake through the towns of Standish, Windham, Gorham, and Westbrook. The Canal diverged from the river at...
made Sebago Lake
Sebago Lake
Sebago Lake is the deepest and second largest lake in the U.S. state of Maine. The lake is deep at its deepest point, with a mean depth of , covers about in surface area, has a length of and a shoreline length of . The surface is around above sea level, so the deep bottom is below the present...
a direct trade route to Portland
Portland, Maine
Portland is the largest city in Maine and is the county seat of Cumberland County. The 2010 city population was 66,194, growing 3 percent since the census of 2000...
. Steamboat
Steamboat
A steamboat or steamship, sometimes called a steamer, is a ship in which the primary method of propulsion is steam power, typically driving propellers or paddlewheels...
travel commenced on the waterways in the 1840s, carrying tourists and freight.
In 1938, Sebago Lake State Park
Sebago Lake State Park
Sebago Lake State Park is a state park in the U.S. state of Maine. It is a popular recreation, camping, and boating area on Sebago Lake in the tourist area of Maine known as the Lakes Region. Located in Naples and Casco, Maine, it was opened in 1938 and was one of the original five state parks....
was established, one of the state's five original state parks.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited 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 36.4 square miles (94.3 km²), of which 31.3 square miles (81.1 km²) is land and 5.2 square miles (13.5 km²), or 14.16%, is water. Casco is drained by the Crooked River
Crooked River (Songo River)
The Crooked River is a tributary of the Songo River in the U.S. state of Maine. It is the longest of the tributaries of Sebago Lake, the outlet of which is the Presumpscot River, flowing to Casco Bay on the Atlantic Ocean....
and Songo River
Songo River
The Songo River is a river in Maine with the only remaining operational lock of the Cumberland and Oxford Canal. The river flows from Brandy Pond at the south end of Long Lake into Sebago Lake at Sebago Lake State Park. Songo Lock controls the elevation of Long Lake and allows navigation of...
.
The town is crossed by U.S. Route 302 and state routes 11, 85 and 121. It borders the towns of Raymond
Raymond, Maine
Raymond is a town in Cumberland County, Maine, United States. The population was 4,299 at the 2000 census. It is a summer recreation area and is part of the Portland–South Portland–Biddeford, Maine metropolitan statistical area...
to the southeast, Naples
Naples, Maine
Naples is a town in Cumberland County, Maine, United States. It is part of the Portland–South Portland–Biddeford, Maine metropolitan statistical area. The population was 3,274 at the 2000 census, and it is home to part of Sebago Lake State Park. Naples is a resort area.-History:The area...
and Otisfield
Otisfield, Maine
Otisfield is a town in Oxford County, Maine, United States. The population was 1,560 at the 2000 census. Otisfield is a summer recreation area and home to Seeds of Peace Camp and Camp Arcadia.-History:...
to the northwest, and Poland
Poland, Maine
Poland is a town in Androscoggin County, Maine, United States. The population was 4,866 at the 2000 census. Home to Range Ponds State Park, Poland is a historic resort area...
to the northeast.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
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 3,469 people, 1,327 households, and 958 families residing in the town. The 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...
was 110.9 people per square mile (42.8/km²). There were 1,958 housing units at an average density of 62.6 per square mile (24.2/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.95% White, 0.29% African American, 0.37% Native American, 0.52% Asian, 0.12% 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 0.75% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.52% of the population.
There were 1,327 households out of which 34.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.3% 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, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.8% were non-families. 20.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the town the population was spread out with 25.2% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 32.1% from 25 to 44, 24.7% from 45 to 64, and 11.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 97.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.3 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $41,629, and the median income for a family was $49,500. Males had a median income of $31,679 versus $25,306 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 $19,306. About 5.3% of families and 8.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.5% of those under age 18 and 9.8% of those age 65 or over.
Transportation
Casco is home to several important roads, both locally and nationally.
Maine State Route 11: The longest state highway in Maine, Route 11 has been the long-time throughway for truckers, in particular, lumber trucks. Route 11 is known locally as Poland Springs Road.
Maine State Route 35Maine State Route 35Maine State Route 35 runs the course of western Maine, from Bethel to Kennebunk. It passes through Oxford, Cumberland and York Counties. It is known in its lower sections for both its unusually windy course as well as its notoriously poor paving, as a result of winter frost heaves. Its northern...
: Route 35 parallels US 302 for its entirety of the Casco region. Upon arriving in NaplesNaplesNaples is a city in Southern Italy, situated on the country's west coast by the Gulf of Naples. Lying between two notable volcanic regions, Mount Vesuvius and the Phlegraean Fields, it is the capital of the region of Campania and of the province of Naples...
, 35 runs north along Long LakeLong Lake (Maine)Long Lake is an eleven mile lake between the towns of Naples, Maine, Bridgton, Maine and Harrison, Maine. It is connected to Brandy Pond through the Chute River. Long Lake was created by receding glaciers, and has many coves and rocks....
towards HarrisonHarrison, MaineHarrison is a town in Cumberland County, Maine, United States. The population was 2,315 at the 2000 census. A historic resort area, Harrison straddles Long Lake and Crystal Lake...
.
Maine State Route 85Maine State Route 85State Route 85 is a short north-south state highway in southern Maine. It is a minor route connecting U.S. Route 302 and State Route 35 in Raymond to State Route 11 in Casco. Locally, it is known as "Webbs Mills Road," for it terminus is located in Webbs Mills Village, which is a small area in Casco...
: Known locally as "Webbs Mills Road," Route 85 is a short road, just under 8 miles. It connects Route 302 and Route 11. The route begins on the Northeast corner of Sebago LakeSebago LakeSebago Lake is the deepest and second largest lake in the U.S. state of Maine. The lake is deep at its deepest point, with a mean depth of , covers about in surface area, has a length of and a shoreline length of . The surface is around above sea level, so the deep bottom is below the present...
, runs through the town of RaymondRaymond, MaineRaymond is a town in Cumberland County, Maine, United States. The population was 4,299 at the 2000 census. It is a summer recreation area and is part of the Portland–South Portland–Biddeford, Maine metropolitan statistical area...
, and then terminates at Route 11.
Maine State Route 121Maine State Route 121State Route 121 is a 35.76-mile state highway in southern Maine. It begins at an intersection with U.S. Route 302 and Maine State Route 35 in Raymond and ends in Auburn...
: Known locally as "Meadow Road," route 121 begins at Route 302 on the Northeast corner of Sebago LakeSebago LakeSebago Lake is the deepest and second largest lake in the U.S. state of Maine. The lake is deep at its deepest point, with a mean depth of , covers about in surface area, has a length of and a shoreline length of . The surface is around above sea level, so the deep bottom is below the present...
. It intersects Route 11 just south of downtown Casco, and then continues into downtown Casco.
US Route 302: Known locally as "Roosevelt Trail," Route 302 is the "main drag" of the lakes region. It provides a direct thruway to PortlandPortland, MainePortland is the largest city in Maine and is the county seat of Cumberland County. The 2010 city population was 66,194, growing 3 percent since the census of 2000...
, and many other large towns in Maine.
Sites of interest
- Raymond-Casco Historical Society, Museum at Watkins Farm on Route 302 in Casco
- Sebago Lake State ParkSebago Lake State ParkSebago Lake State Park is a state park in the U.S. state of Maine. It is a popular recreation, camping, and boating area on Sebago Lake in the tourist area of Maine known as the Lakes Region. Located in Naples and Casco, Maine, it was opened in 1938 and was one of the original five state parks....
- Netop Summer Camp
- Camp ArcadiaCamp ArcadiaCamp Arcadia is an all-girl sleepaway camp emphasizing basic wilderness skills, located on Pleasant Lake in Otisfield, Maine. However, official camp stationary and addresses imply the geographical location to be Casco, ME, even though it is, in fact, Otisfield...
- Seeds of PeaceSeeds of PeaceSeeds of Peace is a peacebuilding youth organization based in New York City. It was founded in 1993. As its main program, the organization brings youth from areas of conflict to its international camp in Maine. It also provides regional programming to support Seeds of Peace graduates, known as...
international camp - Camp Laurel South
- Camp Cedar
- Point Sebago Resort