Denmark, Maine
Encyclopedia
Denmark is a town
in Oxford County
, Maine
, United States
. The population was 1,004 at the 2000 census. A number of recreationally-used ponds and lakes are located within the town.
. Attacked by Captain John Lovewell
in 1725 during Dummer's War
, the tribe abandoned the area and fled to Canada
. The township combined a grant made by the Massachusetts General Court
to Fryeburg Academy
, Foster's Gore and a strip from Brownfield
. Several settlers came from Andover
, Massachusetts
. It was incorporated on February 20, 1807 as Denmark, named in a show of solidarity with Denmark
. That country's capital, Copenhagen
, was attacked in 1801 and 1807 by the Royal Navy
, which in 1775 had attacked Portland
.
Farmers found the soil to be very stony and sandy, producing fair yields of potato
es, corn
and oats
. But the town did have excellent water powers at the streams, and mills
were established to manufacture grain
, long lumber
, barrel staves
, sashes, blinds
and door
s. Denmark Village was established at the foot of Moose Pond, whose outlet, Moose Pond Brook, provided the best water power site. Today, the town is site of summer camp
s. Camp Wyonegonic
, founded 1902, is the oldest girls' camp in the country. Also in Denmark is Camp Walden.
, the town has a total area of 48.6 square miles (125.9 km²), of which, 45 square miles (116.5 km²) of it is land and 3.6 square miles (9.3 km²) of it (7.33%) is water. Denmark is drained by Moose Pond Brook and the Saco River
. Largest of its many ponds is Moose Pond
, which is about 8 miles (12.9 km) long.
The town is crossed by State Routes 117
and 160. It is bordered by the towns of Bridgton to the northeast, Sebago
to the southeast, Hiram
to the south, Brownfield
to the southwest, and Fryeburg to the northwest.
of 2000, there were 1,004 people, 417 households, and 284 families residing in the town. The population density
was 22.3 people per square mile (8.6/km²). There were 969 housing units at an average density of 21.5 per square mile (8.3/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.91% White, 0.40% African American, 0.50% Asian, 0.20% from other races
, and 1.00% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.10% of the population.
There were 417 households out of which 30.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.8% were married couples
living together, 8.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.7% were non-families. 23.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.88.
In the town the population was spread out with 24.0% under the age of 18, 4.9% from 18 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 28.3% from 45 to 64, and 14.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 93.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.7 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $40,000, and the median income for a family was $47,969. Males had a median income of $32,443 versus $19,250 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $21,227. About 7.4% of families and 11.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.5% of those under age 18 and 8.7% of those age 65 or over.
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 Oxford County
Oxford County, Maine
Oxford County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maine with a population of 57,833 as of the 2010 U.S. census. Its county seat is Paris.Part of Oxford County is included in the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine, metropolitan New England City and Town Area while a different part of Oxford County is...
, 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 population was 1,004 at the 2000 census. A number of recreationally-used ponds and lakes are located within the town.
History
The land was once part of Pequawket (now Fryeburg), village of the Sokokis Abenaki IndiansIndigenous peoples of the Americas
The indigenous peoples of the Americas are the pre-Columbian inhabitants of North and South America, their descendants and other ethnic groups who are identified with those peoples. Indigenous peoples are known in Canada as Aboriginal peoples, and in the United States as Native Americans...
. Attacked by Captain John Lovewell
John Lovewell (Junior)
John Lovewell was a famous Ranger in the 18th century who fought during Dummer's War . He lived in present-day Nashua, New Hampshire...
in 1725 during Dummer's War
Dummer's War
Dummer's War , also known as Lovewell's War, Father Rale's War, Greylock's War, the Three Years War, the 4th Indian War or the Wabanaki-New England War of 1722–1725, was a series of battles between British settlers of the three northernmost British colonies of North America of the time and the...
, the tribe abandoned the area and fled to Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. The township combined a grant made by the Massachusetts General Court
Massachusetts General Court
The Massachusetts General Court is the state legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The name "General Court" is a hold-over from the Colonial Era, when this body also sat in judgment of judicial appeals cases...
to Fryeburg Academy
Fryeburg Academy
Fryeburg Academy, founded 1792, is one of the oldest private schools in the United States. It is located in Fryeburg, Maine. One of the first headmasters was Daniel Webster, who taught at the school for a year....
, Foster's Gore and a strip from Brownfield
Brownfield, Maine
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:...
. Several settlers came from Andover
Andover, Massachusetts
Andover is a town in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. It was incorporated in 1646 and as of the 2010 census, the population was 33,201...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
. It was incorporated on February 20, 1807 as Denmark, named in a show of solidarity with Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
. That country's capital, Copenhagen
Copenhagen
Copenhagen is the capital and largest city of Denmark, with an urban population of 1,199,224 and a metropolitan population of 1,930,260 . With the completion of the transnational Øresund Bridge in 2000, Copenhagen has become the centre of the increasingly integrating Øresund Region...
, was attacked in 1801 and 1807 by the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
, which in 1775 had attacked 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...
.
Farmers found the soil to be very stony and sandy, producing fair yields of potato
Potato
The potato is a starchy, tuberous crop from the perennial Solanum tuberosum of the Solanaceae family . The word potato may refer to the plant itself as well as the edible tuber. In the region of the Andes, there are some other closely related cultivated potato species...
es, corn
Maize
Maize known in many English-speaking countries as corn or mielie/mealie, is a grain domesticated by indigenous peoples in Mesoamerica in prehistoric times. The leafy stalk produces ears which contain seeds called kernels. Though technically a grain, maize kernels are used in cooking as a vegetable...
and oats
OATS
OATS - Open Source Assistive Technology Software - is a source code repository or "forge" for assistive technology software. It was launched in 2006 with the goal to provide a one-stop “shop” for end users, clinicians and open-source developers to promote and develop open source assistive...
. But the town did have excellent water powers at the streams, and 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 :...
were established to manufacture grain
GRAIN
GRAIN is a small international non-profit organisation that works to support small farmers and social movements in their struggles for community-controlled and biodiversity-based food systems. Our support takes the form of independent research and analysis, networking at local, regional and...
, long lumber
Lumber
Lumber or timber is wood in any of its stages from felling through readiness for use as structural material for construction, or wood pulp for paper production....
, barrel staves
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...
, sashes, blinds
Window shutter
A window shutter is a solid and stable window covering usually consisting of a frame of vertical stiles and horizontal rails...
and door
Door
A door is a movable structure used to open and close off an entrance, typically consisting of a panel that swings on hinges or that slides or rotates inside of a space....
s. Denmark Village was established at the foot of Moose Pond, whose outlet, Moose Pond Brook, provided the best water power site. Today, the town is site of summer camp
Summer camp
Summer camp is a supervised program for children or teenagers conducted during the summer months in some countries. Children and adolescents who attend summer camp are known as campers....
s. Camp Wyonegonic
Camp Wyonegonic
Wyonegonic Camps for Girls, the oldest girls' camp in the United States, is located in Denmark, Maine, noted for its non-competitive atmosphere.- History :...
, founded 1902, is the oldest girls' camp in the country. Also in Denmark is Camp Walden.
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 48.6 square miles (125.9 km²), of which, 45 square miles (116.5 km²) of it is land and 3.6 square miles (9.3 km²) of it (7.33%) is water. Denmark is drained by Moose Pond Brook and the Saco River
Saco River
The Saco River is a river in northeastern New Hampshire and southwestern Maine in the United States. It drains a rural area of of forests and farmlands west and southwest of Portland, emptying into the Atlantic Ocean at Saco Bay, from its source. It supplies drinking water to roughly 250,000...
. Largest of its many ponds is Moose Pond
Moose Pond
Moose Pond is located in the towns of Bridgton, Denmark and Sweden, in the state of Maine. Camp Winona, a camp for boys, Camp Wyonegonic, a camp for girls, and Shawnee Peak, a ski resort, are located on the lake.thumb|300px|Moose Pond, Spring 2009....
, which is about 8 miles (12.9 km) long.
The town is crossed by State Routes 117
Maine State Route 117
State Route 117 is part of Maine's system of numbered state highways, running from Route 112 in Saco to Route 219 in Turner.- Route description :...
and 160. It is bordered by the towns of Bridgton to the northeast, Sebago
Sebago, Maine
Sebago is a town in Cumberland County, Maine, United States. The population was 1,433 at the 2000 census, although it swells during summer months to approximately 5,000...
to the southeast, Hiram
Hiram, Maine
Hiram is a town in Oxford County, Maine, United States. The population was 1,423 at the 2000 census. It includes the villages of Hiram, East Hiram, South Hiram and Durgintown...
to the south, Brownfield
Brownfield, Maine
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:...
to the southwest, and Fryeburg to the northwest.
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 1,004 people, 417 households, and 284 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 22.3 people per square mile (8.6/km²). There were 969 housing units at an average density of 21.5 per square mile (8.3/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.91% White, 0.40% African American, 0.50% Asian, 0.20% 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 1.00% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.10% of the population.
There were 417 households out of which 30.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.8% 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, 8.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.7% were non-families. 23.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.88.
In the town the population was spread out with 24.0% under the age of 18, 4.9% from 18 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 28.3% from 45 to 64, and 14.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 93.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.7 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $40,000, and the median income for a family was $47,969. Males had a median income of $32,443 versus $19,250 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 $21,227. About 7.4% of families and 11.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.5% of those under age 18 and 8.7% of those age 65 or over.
Sites of interest
Notable people
- Nathaniel Cobb DeeringNathaniel Cobb DeeringNathaniel Cobb Deering was a three-term Republican U.S. Representative from Iowa's 4th congressional district, then in northeastern Iowa....
, congressman - Rufus IngallsRufus IngallsRufus Ingalls was an American military general who served as the 16th Quartermaster General of the United States Army.-Early life and career:...
, Civil War era general - Hazen S. PingreeHazen S. PingreeHazen Stuart Pingree was a four-term Republican mayor of Detroit and the 24th Governor of the US state of Michigan .-Early life in Maine and Massachusetts:...
, 24th governor of Michigan (1897–1901), mayor of Detroit (1889–1897)