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{{Short description| Town in the state of Maine, United States}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}} {{for|the census-designated place|Alfred (CDP), Maine}} {{Infobox settlement | official_name = Alfred, Maine | settlement_type = [[New England town|Town]] | nickname = | motto = "Shiretown of York County"<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.alfredme.us/ |title= The Town of Alfred, Maine |publisher= The Town of Alfred, Maine |access-date= August 26, 2012 |archive-date= September 1, 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120901225114/http://www.alfredme.us/ |url-status= dead }}</ref> | named_for = [[Alfred the Great]] <!-- Images --> | image_skyline = Village Square, Alfred, ME.jpg | imagesize = | image_caption = Village Square {{circa|1906}} | image_flag = | image_seal = <!-- Maps --> | pushpin_map = Maine#USA#North America | pushpin_label = Alfred | image_map = | mapsize = | map_caption = | image_map1 = | mapsize1 = | map_caption1 = <!-- Location --> | subdivision_type = [[List of sovereign states|Country]] | subdivision_name = United States | subdivision_type1 = [[U.S. state|State]] | subdivision_name1 = [[Maine]] | subdivision_type2 = [[List of counties in Maine|County]] | subdivision_name2 = [[York County, Maine|York]] | parts_type = Villages | parts = [[Alfred (CDP), Maine|Alfred]]<br />Alfred Mills<br />North Alfred | government_footnotes = | government_type = Board of Selectmen | leader_title = Selectman | leader_name = Tony Palminteri, Chairman<br />Glenn Dochtermann<br />Rich Pasquini | leader_title1 = | leader_name1 = | established_title = Settled | established_date = 1764 | established_title1 = Incorporated | established_date1 = 1794 <!-- Area --> | unit_pref = Imperial | area_footnotes = <ref name="Gazetteer files"/> | area_magnitude = | area_total_km2 = 72.31 | area_land_km2 = 70.58 | area_water_km2 = 1.74 | area_total_sq_mi = 27.92 | area_land_sq_mi = 27.25 | area_water_sq_mi = 0.67 <!-- Population --> | population_as_of = [[2020 United States census|2020]] | population_est = | pop_est_as_of = | population_footnotes = | population_total = 3073 | population_density_km2 = 43.5 | population_density_sq_mi = <!-- General information --> | timezone = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]] | utc_offset = -5 | timezone_DST = EDT | utc_offset_DST = -4 | elevation_footnotes = | elevation_m = 88 | elevation_ft = 289 | coordinates = {{coord|43|28|57|N|70|43|7|W|region:US-ME|display=inline,title}} | postal_code_type = [[ZIP code]] | postal_code = 04002 | area_codes = [[Area code 207|207]] | blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]] | blank_info = 23-00730 | blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID | blank1_info = 0582319 | website = {{URL|www.alfredme.gov}} | footnotes = }} '''Alfred''' is a [[New England town|town]] in [[York County, Maine]], United States. As of the [[United States Census, 2020|2020 census]], the town population was 3,073.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=0600000US2303100730|title=Census - Geography Profile: Alfred town, York County, Maine|access-date=January 15, 2022}}</ref> Alfred is the [[county seat|seat]] of York County,<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=June 7, 2011 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=May 31, 2011 }}</ref> and home to part of the Massabesic Experimental Forest. [[National Register of Historic Places]] has two listings in the town, the [[Alfred Historic District]], with 48 houses, and the [[Alfred Shaker Historic District]]. Villages in the town include [[Alfred (CDP), Maine|Alfred]], Alfred Mills, and North Alfred. The town is part of the [[Portland, Maine|Portland]]–[[South Portland, Maine|South Portland]]–[[Biddeford, Maine|Biddeford]] [[Portland-South Portland-Biddeford metropolitan area|metropolitan statistical area]]. ==History== [[Abenaki]] [[Native Americans in the United States|Native Americans]] called the area Massabesic, meaning "large pond," or "the place of much water." It was in the western portion of a large tract of land purchased from [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Indian]] chiefs Fluellin, Hombinowitt and Meeksombe (also known as Captain Sunday), between 1661 and 1664 by Major William Phillips, an owner of mills in [[Saco, Maine|Saco]] (which then included [[Biddeford, Maine|Biddeford]]). According to historian Jim Brunelle, editor of the ''Maine Almanac,'' the price was "two large blankets, two gallons of rum, two pounds of powder, four pounds of musket balls, 20 strings of beads and several other articles."<ref name=Coolidge>{{Cite book | last = Coolidge | first = Austin J.|author2=John B. Mansfield | title = A History and Description of New England| publisher = A.J. Coolidge | year = 1859| location = Boston, Massachusetts| pages = [https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_OcoMAAAAYAAJ/page/n55 27]–29| url = https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_OcoMAAAAYAAJ| quote = coolidge mansfield history description new england 1859. }}</ref> Simeon Coffin of [[Newbury, Massachusetts|Newbury]], [[Massachusetts]], arrived in 1764 and lived for a time in a [[wigwam]], although the first permanent settlement took place in 1770. Known as the north parish of [[Sanford, Maine|Sanford]], the community was set off and incorporated as a district on February 4, 1794. [[Sawmill]]s and [[gristmill]]s operated by [[water power]] at the streams. A log jail was built in 1803, with a brick jail in 1869. The courthouse was built in 1806, the year Alfred became the shire town of York County. It was incorporated as a town in 1808, named in honor of King [[Alfred the Great]]. Land would be set off to Sanford in 1828, and annexed from [[Waterboro, Maine|Waterboro]] in 1847.<ref name="Coolidge"/> The Rochester & Portland Railroad entered from Waterboro in 1864, connecting to [[Rochester, New Hampshire|Rochester]], [[New Hampshire]] in 1871. More than 30 trains passed through Alfred daily between 1910 and 1920, but use would decline in the age of [[automobile]]s. Passenger service ceased in 1949, with the final train departing in 1961. A severe [[drought]] in Maine tindered the [[The Great Fires of 1947|Great Fires of 1947]], burning {{convert|4500|acre|km2}} of woodland and two residences in the town. [[Image:Main Buildings, Shaker Village, Alfred, ME.jpg|thumb|left|[[Alfred Shaker Historic District|Alfred Shaker Village]], {{circa|1915}}]] A [[Shakers|Shaker]] religious community once thrived in Alfred (now the [[Alfred Shaker Historic District]]). In 1783, members of the Shaker Church settled on the hill near Massabesic (now Shaker) Pond. Others dubbed them the "Merry Dancers," because of their ecstatic worship. "They were," as historian George J. Varney writes, "at this time fanatical in religion and intemperate in their indulgences."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://history.rays-place.com/me/alfred-me.htm|title=George J. Varney, "History of Alfred, Maine" (1886)|accessdate=May 18, 2023}}</ref> In 1872, the [[District No. 5 School (Alfred, Maine)|District No. 5 School]] was built in northern Alfred. It was used as a school until 1921, thereafter providing a number of community functions. It was listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places listings in York County, Maine|National Register of Historic Places]] in 2009. In 1873 Louis H. F. Wagner rowed out to [[Smuttynose Island]] in the [[Isles of Shoals]], off the Atlantic coast near [[Kittery, Maine|Kittery]], intending to rob but eventually murdering two of the three women left alone on the island. When the authorities finally caught up with him, jurisdiction for the case was given to York County and the [[county seat]], Alfred. The biggest trial in the state at that time was held in the Alfred Court House.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.courts.state.me.us/mainecourts/history/Yorkcountycourthouse.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20051211102753/http://www.courts.state.me.us/mainecourts/history/Yorkcountycourthouse.html|url-status=dead|title=History of York County Courthouse|archivedate=December 11, 2005|access-date=May 18, 2023}}</ref> Having little defense, Wagner was quickly found guilty and sentenced to be hanged on the gallows of the [[Maine State Prison]] at [[Thomaston, Maine|Thomaston]]. While awaiting transfer, he broke out of the Alfred jail and made his escape, eventually being caught in [[Farmington, New Hampshire]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://home.myfairpoint.net/espooner/id53.html|title=The Smuttynose IslandMURDERS|website=home.myfairpoint.net|accessdate=May 18, 2023}}</ref> ==Geography== According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the town has a total area of {{convert|27.92|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|27.25|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.67|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web|title=US Gazetteer files 2010|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/gazetteer2010.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=December 16, 2012}}</ref> Alfred is drained by the Middle Branch of the Mousam River, Littlefield River, Hay Brook and Trafton Brook. Yeaton Hill has an elevation of {{convert|602|ft|m}}, and Brackett Hill an elevation of {{convert|480|ft|m}}. The highest point in town is on Fort Ridge, at an elevation of {{convert|1,020|ft|m}}, at the [[Shapleigh, Maine|Shapleigh]] line. ==Demographics== {{US Census population |1800= 900 |1810= 1106 |1820= 1271 |1830= 1453 |1840= 1408 |1850= 1319 |1860= 1256 |1870= 1224 |1880= 1101 |1890= 1030 |1900= 937 |1910= 890 |1920= 738 |1930= 883 |1940= 1039 |1950= 1112 |1960= 1201 |1970= 1211 |1980= 1890 |1990= 2238 |2000= 2497 |2010= 3019 |2020= 3073 |footnote=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid%3DDEC_10_PL_QTPL%26prodType%3Dtable |title=American FactFinder |access-date=May 29, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110520164400/http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=DEC_10_PL_QTPL&prodType=table |archive-date=May 20, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu/|title=University of Virginia Library|publisher=Mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|access-date=March 24, 2014}}</ref> }} [[Image:Public Library, Alfred, ME.jpg|thumb|left|Parsons Memorial Library in 1906, donated to the town in 1905 by George and Edwin Parsons]] ===2010 census=== As of the [[census]]<ref name="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=December 16, 2012}}</ref> of 2010, there were 3,019 people, 1,175 households, and 769 families residing in the town. The [[population density]] was {{convert|110.8|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 1,350 housing units at an average density of {{convert|49.5|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the town was 97.5% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.7% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.5% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.2% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.1% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 1.0% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 0.7% of the population. There were 1,175 households, of which 25.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.2% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 7.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 34.6% were non-families. 27.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.80. The median age in the town was 45.7 years. 17.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.7% were from 25 to 44; 32.1% were from 45 to 64; and 18.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 51.7% male and 48.3% female. ===2000 census=== As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> of 2000, there were 2,497 people, 996 households, and 682 families residing in the town. The population density was {{convert|91.7|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 1,103 housing units at an average density of {{convert|40.5|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the town was 98.52% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.24% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.20% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.48% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], and 0.56% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 0.12% of the population. There were 996 households, out of which 27.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.0% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 7.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.5% were non-families. 26.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.88. [[Image:York County Courthouse, Alfred, ME.jpg|thumb|right|York County Courthouse in 1908]] In the town, the population was spread out, with 21.5% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 26.8% from 25 to 44, 26.1% from 45 to 64, and 19.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 105.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.6 males. The median income for a household in the town was $40,583, and the median income for a family was $47,625. Males had a median income of $36,957 versus $25,026 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the town was $19,337. About 4.2% of families and 5.5% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 5.8% of those under age 18 and 9.0% of those age 65 or over. ==Arts and culture== ===Points of interest=== * [[Alfred Shaker Museum]]<ref>[http://www.shakerworkshops.com/shaker-villages-and-museums/alfred-shaker-museum.htm Alfred Shaker Museum.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140813050907/http://www.shakerworkshops.com/shaker-villages-and-museums/alfred-shaker-museum.htm |date=August 13, 2014 }} Retrieved March 24, 2014.</ref> * [[Alfred Shaker Historic District|Alfred Village Museum]]<ref>[http://www.mainemuseums.org/htm/museumdetail.php3?orgID=126 Alfred Village Museum.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051026205758/http://www.mainemuseums.org/htm/museumdetail.php3?orgID=126 |date=October 26, 2005 }} Retrieved March 24, 2014.</ref> ==Government== Alfred has three selectmen who manage town business. Selectmen are elected in an annual [[town meeting]] to three-year terms. ==Education== It is in the [[School Administrative District 57]].<!--UNI 14670--><ref>{{cite map|author=Geography Division|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st23_me/schooldistrict_maps/c23031_york/DC20SD_C23031.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: York County, ME|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|date=January 14, 2021|access-date=2025-04-12}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st23_me/schooldistrict_maps/c23031_york/DC20SD_C23031_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref> Alfred's children attending public school go to Alfred Elementary School from [[kindergarten]] through fifth grade. Sixth, seventh and eighth grade students attend Massabesic Middle School in [[Waterboro, Maine|Waterboro]]. Ninth through twelfth graders attend [[Massabesic High School]] in Waterboro. Elementary aged students may also attend the private Unlimited Vision [[Montessori School]]. == Facilities == The York County Jail is located in Alfred at 1 Layman Way. The jail houses inmates serving terms less than nine months and those awaiting trial for crimes committed in York County. Alfred is also home to the York County courthouse, at 45 Kennebunk Road. Violations and crimes committed in York County are processed here. Alfred houses the York County shelter, where the homeless and those needing assistance in York County live and work. They have a bakery that sells baked goods to the public to help financially support themselves. ==Adjacent towns== * [[Kennebunk, Maine|Kennebunk]] * [[Lyman, Maine|Lyman]] * [[Sanford, Maine|Sanford]] * [[Shapleigh, Maine|Shapleigh]] * [[Waterboro, Maine|Waterboro]] ==Notable people== <!-- Note: · Only people who already have a Wikipedia article may appear here. This establishes notability. · The article must mention how they are associated with Alfred, 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 without further explanation --> * [[James Abbe]], photographer * [[Mildred Barker]], musician, scholar, and [[Shakers]] eldress * [[Joseph Brackett]], songwriter and Shakers elder<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/arts/dictionaries-thesauruses-pictures-and-press-releases/simple-gifts|title=Simple Gifts | Encyclopedia.com|website=www.encyclopedia.com|accessdate=May 18, 2023}}</ref> * [[David R. Burns]], Member of the Maine House of Representatives<ref name="Vote Smart">{{cite web|url=http://www.votesmart.org/candidate/biography/121100/david-burns|title=David Burns|work=[[Project Vote Smart]]|access-date=August 26, 2012}}</ref> * [[Horatio G. Herrick]], [[List of Sheriffs of Essex County, Massachusetts|sheriff]] of [[Essex County, Massachusetts]]<ref>{{cite news|title=A Christian Gentleman|newspaper=Zion's Herald|date=April 27, 1904}}</ref> * [[John Holmes (Maine politician)|John Holmes]], [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. Representative]] from [[Massachusetts]] and [[United States Senate|U.S. Senator]] from [[Maine]]<ref>{{cite dictionary|url= http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=H000739 |title= Holmes, John, (1773 - 1843)|dictionary= Biographical Directory of the United States Congress |access-date=August 26, 2012}}</ref> * [[Enrique Peña Nieto]], [[President of Mexico]] from 2012 to 2018; learned English as a schoolboy in this town * [[Heidi H. Sampson]], Member of the Maine House of Representatives<ref>{{cite web |title=Heidi H. Sampson |url=https://legislature.maine.gov/house/house/MemberProfiles/Details/137 |website=Maine House of Representatives |access-date=January 13, 2024}}</ref> ==Further reading== * Eastman, Harland H., "[https://digitalmaine.com/alfred_books/1 Alfred, Maine : The Shakers And The Village]" ==References== {{Reflist}} ==External links== {{Wikivoyage|Alfred (Maine)}} * [http://www.alfredme.us/ Town of Alfred, Maine] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120901225114/http://www.alfredme.us/ |date=September 1, 2012 }} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20080830012422/http://fc.sad57.k12.me.us/~crystal_saucier/home%20pageold Alfred Elementary School] * [http://www.fs.fed.us/ne/durham/4155/massabes.htm Massabesic Experimental Forest] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20150212040236/http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/genInfo.php?locIndex=1999 Epodunk Town Profile] {{York County, Maine}} {{Maine county seats}} {{Authority control}} [[Category:Alfred, Maine| ]] [[Category:County seats in Maine]] [[Category:Populated places established in 1794]] [[Category:Portland metropolitan area, Maine]] [[Category:Towns in York County, Maine]] [[Category:Towns in Maine]] [[Category:1794 establishments in Massachusetts]]
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