Lisbon Falls, Maine

History

Abenaki Indians called the falls Anmecangin, meaning "much fish". The area was once part of Little River Plantation, a portion of which was incorporated in 1799 as Thompsonborough, then renamed in 1802 after Lisbon, Portugal. In 1806, Lisbon annexed the remainder of Little River Plantation. With water power from the Androscoggin River, Lisbon Falls became a small mill town. Before it burned down in 1987, the Worumbo Mill was the main mill in Lisbon Falls. It had been incorporated in 1864, and was world-famous for its woolens.{{Citation | access-date = 2007-09-16 | archive-url = https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20170505170557/http://history.rays-place.com/me/lisbon-me.htm | archive-date = May 5, 2017 | url-status = dead

The town is famous for its Moxie Days, a celebration of the soft drink Moxie. For many years, the festivities were centered on Kennebec Fruit Company, an old-time corner store that was owned by Frank Anicetti, a longtime champion of the beverage who died in May 2017. In July 2017, the renovated location was reopened under new ownership as Frank's Restaurant & Pub. Moxie Days in Lisbon Falls is attended by thousands from around the world each summer.

Geography

Lisbon Falls is located at (44.002177, -70.060102).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 10.0 km2, of which 9.5 km2 is land and 0.5 km2, or 4.87%, is water. Lisbon Falls is drained by the Androscoggin River and the Little River.

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, Lisbon Falls has a humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfb" on climate maps.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 4,420 people, 1,707 households, and 1,206 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 1,162.4 PD/sqmi. There were 1,798 housing units at an average density of 472.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 96.99% White, 0.63% African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.41% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.45% from other races, and 1.22% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.06% of the population.

There were 1,707 households, out of which 36.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.1% were married couples living together, 12.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.3% were non-families. 22.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 27.4% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 32.6% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 10.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.3 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $39,224, and the median income for a family was $42,476. Males had a median income of $31,735 versus $20,688 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $16,838. About 8.5% of families and 10.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.6% of those under age 18 and 4.6% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

• John Gould, famous Maine humorist and author. He was the author of "Farmer Takes a Wife," "The Fastest Hound Dog in the State of Maine," and "Tales From Rhapsody Home, What They Don't Tell You About Senior Living." In his book On Writing, Stephen King recounts his experience working for John Gould at the Lisbon Enterprise, a weekly newspaper that Gould published.
• Stephen King, horror fiction writer, attended Lisbon Falls High School. The fictional town of Castle Rock, which he used in several stories, is thought to be based on Lisbon Falls. King utilized the town's actual name, description, and citizens in his 2011 novel, 11/22/63.
• Charles David Spivak, one of the founders of the Jewish Consumptives' Relief Society and its long-time director of the hospital, worked in Lisbon Falls as a young immigrant, and it is where he learned English before going to medical school in Philadelphia.

Site of interest

• Lisbon Historical Society Museum

References

References

1. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau.
2. "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Lisbon Falls CDP, Maine". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder.
3. Coolidge, Austin J.. (1859). "A History and Description of New England". A.J. Coolidge.
4. Parsons, Jeff. (2017-07-20). "'Frank's Restaurant & Pub' Opens in the Former 'Moxie Store' in Lisbon".
5. [http://www.mainethingstodo.com/mttd/2010/01/95-drink-moxie/ Maine Things to Do -- Moxie Festival] {{webarchive. link. (2010-09-22)
6. (2011-02-12). "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". [[United States Census Bureau]].
7. [http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=593610&cityname=Lisbon+Falls%2C+Maine%2C+United+States+of+America&units= Climate Summary for Lisbon Falls, Maine]
8. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov.
9. "U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
10. Anicetti, Frank. (11 Dec 2011). "King's kingdom: Stephen King's newest book again features the L-A area". Sun Journal.