73 Facts About Augusta, Maine You Should Definitely Know
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Augusta, Maine is also known as the Pine Tree State of the United States.
The most remarkable national historic landmark in Augusta is Fort Western, which is visited by hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. It is regarded as the oldest wooden fort alongside the Kennebec River.
The Augusta State Airport is located near Camp Keyes, which is related to World War I as it was used for the training and mobilization of soldiers. The state legislature approved this decision in the year 1929 after much contemplation. The camp is now the headquarters for the Maine National Guard.
Another major landmark in Maine is the University of Maine at Augusta (UMA). It is the third-largest university in the University of Maine System.
Read on for some interesting facts about the city ranked as one of the 100 largest populations in 1840 and 1850. Afterwards, also check out facts about Cheyenne, Wyoming and facts about Baltimore, Maryland.
Fun Facts About Augusta, Maine
If you are familiar with Maine, then you should probably know about Augusta. The capital city of Maine, Augusta is situated near the Kennebec River.
Augusta, Maine is a small city. You can travel to Maine from anywhere in the country, thanks to the incredible connectivity of the airport in Augusta.
Considering its small size, you’d imagine this capital city to be not so luxurious when traveling. From the Augusta airport, you can take a flight to Boston's Logan International Airport and go anywhere from there.
Augusta is a business center for tourist vacation areas too. Did you know that the original state capital of Maine was not Augusta? Maine’s capital was Portland.
In 1832, the state capital of Maine became Augusta. The city’s population was around 18,000 in 2020. Even though the city is not densely populated, there are many beautiful places to visit in Augusta.
The most notable natural historic landmark in Augusta is Fort Western. Fort Western used to be a British colonial outpost along the Kennebec River. This is the oldest wooden fort in the United States now. The state approved Augusta as a city in 1849.
Historical Facts About Augusta, Maine
Augusta was primarily traversed by the Plymouth colony in 1607. The English inhabitants arriving from the colony settled at the trading post by the Kennebec River. Cushnoc is the name these settlements were known by.
In 1722, the tribe was located further from the Kennebec River at a place known as Norridgewock, and its allies charged at Fort Richmond. English forces attacked them back and set up Fort Western in an area of the eastern bank of Cushnoc. The area was renamed Augusta after the birth of Augusta Dearborn.
She was the daughter of Henry Dearborn. In 1799, Augusta became the seat of the county for the new Kennebec county. The state title happened for Maine in 1820. After this, Augusta was made the capital of Maine in 1827.
After becoming a state capital, the city of Augusta started to bloom. Between the years 1840 through 1850, Augusta had a ranking on the 100 largest urban populations list. The excellent soil in the city made it suitable for agriculture.
The water received from streams helped the industries flourish. By the time of the opening of the Kennebec Portland railroad, the city of Augusta became a significant town. Most of Augustan history happened on the Kennebec River western bank.
The central business district was situated here. But with the passage of time, the city flourished further. Starting in the '80s, downtown area revitalization attempts were done by Augusta city officials.
Facts About Augusta, Maine's Economy
The economy of Augusta is quite stable and has been registering stable growth over the years. Much like the rest of Maine, Augusta's city economy is dominated by agriculture as well as manufacturing industries.
The first trolley line began in Maine in the year 1890. The trolley line was connecting Augusta with Gardiner and Hallowell. Hallowell used to be the trading and shipping center of early settlers in Augusta. After that, buses replaced the trolley lines.
Augusta has a private school and five public schools. The University of Maine, Augusta is the only prominent university in the city.
There are two libraries in Augusta, known as the Maine State Library and the Lithgow Public Library. Augusta also has the headquarters of the National Guard of Maine. The headquarters of the Maine National Guard is at the Augusta airport.
It was during 1929 that with the approval of the state legislature, an airport was placed. The Augusta airport was beside the National Guard camp.
The Maine state museum, called the Maine Military Historical Museum, is also located here. There are many mills in the capital city of Maine. The Kennebec River used to be an important part of the running of these mills.
The biggest employers in Augusta are the Maine General Medical Center, Central Maine Power Company, O'Connor GMC Buick, and the Shop n Save Grocery Store chain. Some valuable exports of Augusta are lobsters, aircraft parts, non-liquid natural gas, chemical wood pulp, rough wood, and paper.
Facts About Augusta, Maine's Culture
If you are ever interested in Augusta's history, there is a Maine state museum in the city that will tell you all about the culture and history of the state.
The Augusta, Maine land is very suitable for cultivation. This is why these lands have an ample amount of agriculture and industries. The region has fertile agricultural land and is also rich in timberlands. Timber is used to manufacture pulp and paper in Augusta, which might not come as a surprise since the city is rich in timber.
There are also other agricultural products yielded from Augusta. These agricultural products include food products, cotton textiles, and shoes.
The marketplace of Augusta is the biggest sales platform for these products which then travel around the country to be traded in different markets. The main cultural and historical attraction of Augusta is Fort Western. This fort is a reminder of how Augusta became what it is now.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for 73 facts about Augusta, Maine then why not take a look at facts about Denver, Colorado or facts about Charlotte, NC.
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Martha MartinsBachelor of Arts specializing in Linguistics
Martha is a full-time creative writer, content strategist, and aspiring screenwriter who communicates complex thoughts and ideas effectively. She has completed her Bachelor's in Linguistics from Nasarawa State University. As an enthusiast of public relations and communication, Martha is well-prepared to substantially impact your organization as your next content writer and strategist. Her dedication to her craft and commitment to delivering high-quality work enables her to create compelling content that resonates with audiences.
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