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Eastport, Maine
Water Street in 2012
Water Street in 2012
Flag of Eastport, Maine
Flag
Official seal of Eastport, Maine
Seal
Eastport, Maine is located in Maine
Eastport, Maine
Eastport, Maine
Location in Maine
Country United States
State Maine
County Washington
Incorporated (town) February 24, 1798
Incorporated (city) March 18, 1893
Government
 • Type Council-Manager
Area
 • Total 12.34 sq mi (31.95 km2)
 • Land 3.63 sq mi (9.41 km2)
 • Water 8.70 sq mi (22.53 km2)
Elevation
105 ft (32 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 1,288
 • Density 354.33/sq mi (136.82/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP code
04631
Area code(s) 207
FIPS code 23-21730
GNIS feature ID 0565748
Website eastport-me.gov

Eastport is a city and archipelago in Washington County, Maine, United States. The population was 1,288 at the 2020 census, making Eastport the least-populous city in Maine. The principal island is Moose Island, which is connected to the mainland by a causeway. Eastport is the easternmost city in the United States (although the nearby town of Lubec is the easternmost municipality).

History

TotallyFreeImages com-259986-Standard-preview
Group of workers at Seacoast Canning Co., Factory #4 ~ 1911
TotallyFreeImages com-259991-Standard-preview
"Group of cutters, all of them working, factory #2. One of them, not the youngest, is Harold Whalen, 14 Tappen Ave. Makes $1.00 a day. Location: Eastport, Maine. Date Created/Published: 1911 August. Part of: Photographs from the records of the National Child Labor Committee (U.S.)"

The native Passamaquoddy Tribe has called this area home for at least 10,000 years. Some archeologists estimate the habitation at 20,000 years. The first known European contact was the St. Croix colony founded by the French explorer Samuel de Champlain in 1604. Near present-day Calais, the unsuccessful Saint Croix Island Acadia settlement predates the first successful English settlement at Jamestown, Virginia, by three years. On June 25, 1604, Champlain and his men spent a long and severe winter on St. Croix Island with no fresh water and diminished supplies. Two-fifths of the men died of scurvy, and the colony moved across the Bay of Fundy to Port Royal in present-day Nova Scotia.

Fishermen and traders visited the area in the 17th century. Moose Island was first settled in 1772 by James Cochrane of Newburyport, Massachusetts, who would be joined by other fishermen from Newburyport and Portsmouth, New Hampshire. On February 24, 1798, Eastport was incorporated as a town from Plantation Number 8 PS by the Massachusetts General Court, and named for being the easternmost port in the United States. Lubec, on the mainland, was set off and incorporated as a town on June 21, 1811.

From 1807 to 1809, the town was a center of extensive two-way smuggling during the Embargo Act imposed by President Thomas Jefferson. In 1809, Fort Sullivan was erected atop a village hill, but it was captured by a British fleet under command of Sir Thomas Hardy on July 11, 1814, during the War of 1812 as part of the initiative to establish the colony of New Ireland. England claimed that Moose Island was on the British side of the international border which had been determined in 1783. Nevertheless, the town was returned to United States' control in 1818. The boundary between the U. S. and Canada in the area remained disputed until settled by the Webster–Ashburton Treaty of 1842. Eastport would be incorporated as a city on March 18, 1893.

Farms produced hay and potatoes. Industries included a grain mill, box factory and carding mill. But the island's economy was primarily directed at the sea. With tides of about 25 feet (7.6 m), Eastport's spacious harbor remained ice-free year round. The first sardine factory was built here about 1875. The population grew with the emergence of the sardine fishery and related canning businesses, which studded the shoreline by the end of the 19th century. By 1886, the town contained 13 sardine factories, which operated day and night during the season, and produced approximately 5,000 cases per week. About 800 men, women and children worked in the plants. But the industry would decline, and many people moved away. Indeed, the city went bankrupt in 1937. In 1976, the Groundhog Day Gale destroyed many structures along the waterfront. Today, catching fish remains the principal industry, although tourism has become important as well.

Eastport is a port of entry. An international ferry crosses to Deer Island, New Brunswick, during the summer months. Each 4th of July, the city becomes a destination for thousands of celebrants. Navy ships have docked there during the 4th of July celebration for many years. Eastport celebrated its bicentennial in 1998. Each September, the city hosts the annual Maine Salmon Festival in the historic downtown district.

Celebrations

Independence Day

US Navy 110703-N-GA722-926 Cmdr. Chris A. Nerad assigned to USS Nitze (DDG 94) competes in the annual Codfish Race
Sailor from USS Nitze competes in the cod race during Fourth of July celebration in 2011.

Independence Day in Eastport includes "Old Home Week", which is the celebration of the birth of both Canada and the United States. The celebrations traditionally begin on Canada Day and runs through U.S. Independence Day, it is actually a celebration of the birth of two nations. Eastport hosts the largest Fourth of July celebration in Maine. Events include the Grand Independence Parade (with considerable participation of its Canadian neighbors), fireworks over the Bay of Fundy, free entertainment at Overlook Park, greasy pole and water sports, antique car show, and contests and games for all ages with prizes. Since 1905, U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard ships have made a port call over the 4th and provided free tours.

U.S. Navy ships which have visited the port of Eastport on the 4th of July include:

  • 2014 USS Anzio (CG-68)
  • 2012 USS San Jacinto (CG-56)
  • 2011 USS Nitze (DDG-94) and USCGC Jefferson Island (WPB-1340)
  • 2010 USS De Wert (FFG-45)
  • 2009 USCGC Jefferson Island (WPB-1340)
  • 2008 USS Hawes (FFG-53)
  • 2007 USS McFaul (DDG-74)
  • 2006 USS Porter (DDG-78)
  • 2005 USS Ramage (DDG-61)
  • 2004 USS Kauffman (FFG-59)
  • 2003 USS Ticonderoga (CG-47)
  • 2002 USS Gonzalez (DDG-66)
  • 2001 No ship available
  • 2000 USS Mitscher (DDG-57)
  • 1999 USS Hawes (FFG-53)
  • 1998 USS Stephen W. Groves (FFG-29)
  • 1997 USS Sirocco (PC-6)
  • 1996 USS Estocin (FFG-15)
  • 1995 USS Avenger (MCM-1)
  • 1994 USS Fahrion (FFG-22)
  • 1993 No ship available
  • 1992 USS La Moure County (LST-1194)
  • 1991 USS Samuel Eliot Morison (FFG-13)
  • 1990 USS Sylvania (AFS-2)
  • 1989 USS Thomas C. Hart (FF-1092)
  • 1988 USS Manitowoc (LST-1180)
  • 1987 USS Peterson (DD-969)
  • 1986 No ship available
  • 1985 USS Butte (AE-27)
  • 1984 USS Dewey (DDG-45)
  • 1983 USS Sellers (DDG-11)
  • 1982 USS Gallery (FFG-26)
  • 1978–1981 unknown
  • 1977 USS Myles C. Fox (DD-829)
  • 1976 USS Basilone (DD-824)
  • 1974–1975 unknown
  • 1973 USS Dash (AM-428)
  • 1972 unknown
  • 1971 USS Corporal (SS-346)
  • 1969–1970 unknown
  • 1968 USS Penobscot (ATA-188)
  • 1964–1967 unknown
  • 1963 USS Caloosahatchee (AO-98)
  • 1962 USS Perry (DD-844)
  • 1961 USS John W. Weeks (DD-701)
  • 1952–1960 unknown
  • 1951 USS Purdy (DD-734)
  • 1935–1950, unknown
  • 1934 USS Mississippi (BB-41)
  • 1933 USS Indianapolis (CA-35)
  • 1928–1932 unknown
  • 1927 USS S-22 (SS-127)
  • 1924–1926 unknown
  • 1923 USS Savannah (AS-8)
  • 1913–1922 unknown
  • 1912 USS North Dakota (BB-29)
  • 1905–1911 unknown

New Year's Eve

Beginning in 2004, Eastport began the new year with the drop of a sardine and maple leaf.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 12.34 square miles (31.96 km2), of which, 3.63 square miles (9.40 km2) is land and 8.71 square miles (22.56 km2) is water. Eastport is located on the southeasterly part of Moose Island, which lies between Cobscook Bay to the west and Passamaquoddy Bay to the east. The city faces Deer Island to the northeast and Campobello Island to the southeast—both in Canada.

Old Sow, the largest tidal whirlpool in the Western Hemisphere, sits on the international boundary between Eastport and Deer Island.

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

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1800 562
1810 1,511 168.9%
1820 1,937 28.2%
1830 2,450 26.5%
1840 2,876 17.4%
1850 4,125 43.4%
1860 3,850 −6.7%
1870 3,736 −3.0%
1880 4,006 7.2%
1890 4,908 22.5%
1900 5,311 8.2%
1910 4,961 −6.6%
1920 4,494 −9.4%
1930 3,406 −24.2%
1940 3,346 −1.8%
1950 3,123 −6.7%
1960 2,537 −18.8%
1970 1,989 −21.6%
1980 1,982 −0.4%
1990 1,965 −0.9%
2000 1,640 −16.5%
2010 1,331 −18.8%
2020 1,288 −3.2%

The population peaked at 5,311 in 1900. It has fallen more or less constantly since then to its population of 1,331 at the 2010 census.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 1,331 people, 670 households, and 355 families residing in the city. The population density was 366.7 inhabitants per square mile (141.6/km2). There were 1,083 housing units at an average density of 298.3 per square mile (115.2/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 92.0% White, 0.8% African American, 3.6% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.5% from other races, and 2.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.9% of the population.

There were 670 households, of which 16.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.5% were married couples living together, 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 47.0% were non-families. 40.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.93 and the average family size was 2.56.

The median age in the city was 54.5 years. 14.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 15.6% were from 25 to 44; 38.2% were from 45 to 64; and 26.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.0% male and 53.0% female.

Twin towns

Education

Peavey Memorial Library
The Peavey Memorial Library, May 2014

Shead Memorial High School in Eastport was named to the 2009 "America's Best High Schools" list by U.S. News and World Reports. The Peavey Memorial Library has been open since 1893.

Notable people

  • William Beale, author, violinist, and businessman
  • Kimball Bent, soldier and adventurer
  • Nathaniel Butler Jr., educator
  • Joseph S. Cony, U.S. naval officer
  • George Pearse Ennis, artist
  • John C. Grady, Pennsylvania lawyer and politician
  • George S. Greene, soldier
  • Harry G. Hamlet, Commandant of the Coast Guard, 1932–1936
  • Otis Tufton Mason, ethnologist
  • Joseph C. Noyes, U.S. congressman
  • Mary Hayden Pike, author
  • Timothy Pilsbury, U.S. congressman
  • Kevin Raye, state senator
  • Lorenzo Sabine, U.S. congressman
  • Karl Turner, state legislator

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Eastport (Maine) para niños

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