Islesboro, Maine

History

The Penobscot people called it Pitaubegwimenahanuk, meaning "the island that lies between two channels", although André Thevet recorded the name Aiayascon in 1556. It was part of the Waldo Patent. First called Long Island Plantation, it was settled in 1769. It was incorporated as Islesborough on January 28, 1789, although over time the spelling was contracted to Islesboro.

With many harbors and coves, the island was home to the largest commercial shipping fleet in the bay during the 19th century. Following the Civil War, however, Islesboro developed as a resort community, and many large and luxurious summer homes were built. Their large yachts cruised and raced throughout the Gulf of Maine. The town remains an upper-class enclave and summer colony.{{Cite book | archive-url = https://archive.today/20130201002650/http://history.rays-place.com/me/islesborough-me.htm | url-status = dead | archive-date = February 1, 2013

Geography

Islands and villages

Situated in upper Penobscot Bay, the island town separates East from West Penobscot Bay. Islesboro Island is narrow, mainly north-south and 14 miles long. Smaller islands include Job Island, Seven Hundred Acre Island, Spruce Island, Warren Island, Seal Island, Ram Island, Thrumcap, Middle Island, Minot Island, Ensign Island (#1 and #2), Lime Island, Flat Island, Hutchins Island, Little Island, Little Bermuda, Joe's Rock, and Birch Point. Semi-submerged features include Haskell Ledge, Minor Ledge, and Minot Island Ledge.

The main island consists of two wider landmasses separated by a narrow isthmus called The Narrows. Neighborhoods and villages (small clusters of buildings) are distributed across the two:

• Up Island, the northern landmass
  • Pripet, also known as Warren's Landing or Beckett's Landing – the historic site of a kiln and steamboat wharf
  • North Islesboro – historic village and current site of a general store
  • Ryder's Cove – historic summer vacation spot and steamboat destination
• Down Island, the southern landmass
  • Islesboro Village, also known as Guinea Village – near Islesboro Harbor
  • Hewes Point – historic summer vacation spot and steamboat destination
  • Town Center – town offices, community center, and post office
  • Grindle Point – current ferry landing, with historic lighthouse
  • Dark Harbor – historic summer vacation spot and steamboat destination

Size and features

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 68.88 sqmi, of which 14.29 sqmi is land and 54.59 sqmi is water.

There is one large pond, called Meadow Pond, in the northern portion of the Island, the work of beavers that have dammed a narrow place. Ice was once harvested from this pond for export to places as far away as India. Hewes Point was named for Paola Hewes, an early pioneer settler.

Climate

This climatic region is typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Islesboro has a humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfb" on climate maps.

Demographics

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 566 people, 270 households, and 161 families living in the town. The population density was 39.6 PD/sqmi. There were 850 housing units at an average density of 59.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 97.9% White, 0.7% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.5% from other races, and 0.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.9% of the population.

There were 270 households, of which 20.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.7% were married couples living together, 7.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.4% were non-families. Of all households 34.4% were made up of individuals, and 15.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.07 and the average family size was 2.57.

The median age in the town was 52.1 years. 17.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 3.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 17.4% were from 25 to 44; 37.5% were from 45 to 64; and 24.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 48.2% male and 51.8% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 603 people, 280 households, and 176 families living in the town. The population density was 42.3 PD/sqmi. There were 741 housing units at an average density of 52.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 98.18% White, 0.17% African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.50% from other races, and 0.83% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.33% of the population.

There were 280 households, out of which 25.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.2% were married couples living together, 5.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.8% were non-families. Of all households 30.7% were made up of individuals, and 13.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.15 and the average family size was 2.69.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 20.2% under the age of 18, 3.3% from 18 to 24, 25.4% from 25 to 44, 31.2% from 45 to 64, and 19.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.1 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $39,643, and the median income for a family was $48,750. Males had a median income of $35,000 versus $24,750 for females. The per capita income for the town was $25,653. About 5.5% of families and 7.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.3% of those under age 18 and 9.7% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Islesboro Central School is one of five island schools in Maine that cover all grades (K–12), the others being North Haven, Vinalhaven, Mount Desert Island, and Deer Isle. It is also unique that it allows mainland students to pay tuition to attend from grades 5 through 12. The "magnet" students, and some teachers, who live on the mainland take the ferry across every morning where they are met with a school bus to take them to school. Students come from a range of midcoast towns to attend ICS. Currently, 18 magnet students from grades 5-12 pay tuition and commute daily, joining 51 island students to form the school community of approximately 82 students.

The school maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of approximately 5:1 and offers Advanced Placement courses. According to recent assessments, 85% of students scored at or above proficient in math and 95% in reading, both exceeding Maine state averages. The school is a member of the Busline League for middle school sports, and is in Class D, South, in the Maine Principals' Association. The competitive sports offered through the school include cross country running, sailing, soccer, basketball, and Ultimate Frisbee.

Notable people

· Only people who already have a Wikipedia article may appear here. This establishes notability. · The article must mention how they are associated with Islesboro, whether born, raised, or residing. · The fact of their association should have a reliable source cited. · Alphabetical by last name please. · All others will be deleted.

• Winthrop Aldrich, banker and US Ambassador to the UK
• Kirstie Alley, actress
• John Judson Ames, editor and proprietor of the first newspaper in San Diego, California
• Honor Blackman, actress
• C. Douglas Dillon, diplomat and politician
• Joan Dillon, American born duchess and princess
• Ruth Draper, dramatist
• Charles Dana Gibson, illustrator
• Isabel Gillies, actress and author
• Ved Mehta, author
• Sister Parish, interior decorator
• Kelly Preston, actress
• George Stevens Jr., film director
• John Train, investment advisor and author
• John Travolta, actor
• Lily Tuck, writer

References

References

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3. Coolidge, Austin J.. (1859). "A History and Description of New England". A.J. Coolidge.
4. Town of Islesboro. "DRAFT Comprehensive Plan 2017, Section II: Islesboro 2030 Guiding Statement".
5. "US Gazetteer files 2010". [[United States Census Bureau]].
6. Gannett, Henry. (1905). "The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States". Govt. Print. Off..
7. "Islesboro, Maine Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase)".
8. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov.
9. "U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
10. "U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
11. "North Haven Community School". North Haven Community School.
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13. (18 November 2011). "Mainland students pulled to island school".
14. (9 February 2015). "Watery Commute".
15. (3 June 2014). "Islesboro School's Island Magnetism".
16. "Islesboro Central School". Town of Islesboro.
17. "Islesboro Central School". U.S. News & World Report.
18. "Islesboro Central School – Dedicated to Educational Excellence". Islesboro Central School.
19. "Kirstie Alley".
20. Activities, United States Congress Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign. (1973). "Presidential Campaign Activities of 1972, Senate Resolution 60: Watergate and Related Activities : Hearings, Ninety-third Congress, First-[second] Session ....". U.S. Government Printing Office.
21. "Family tree of Joan Douglas DILLON".
22. "Ruth Draper".
23. "Charles Dana Gibson home, Islesboro, 1937".
24. [http://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/john-travolta-and-kelly-preston-maine-house Tour John Travolta and Kelly Preston's Shingle Style Home in Maine. Architectural Digest] Retrieved 2017-04-27.
25. (August 2013). "The week at glance".
26. Train, Frances. (2019). "Edd Tide". iUniverse.
27. (2018-05-08). "Main(e) Point Books to Open This Summer".