Editing Naples, Maine

{{Short description|Town in the United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = Naples, Maine
|settlement_type          = [[New England town|Town]]
|nickname                 = "The Heart of the Lakes Region"
|motto                    = "Welcome to Vacationland"<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.townofnaples.org/ |title= Town of Naples, Maine|publisher= Town of Naples, Maine |access-date=August 26, 2012}}</ref>

<!-- Images -->
|image_skyline            = Naples Maine aerial 01.JPG
|imagesize                = 310px
|image_caption            = Naples from the air, with the [[Songo River Queen II]] on [[Long Lake (Maine)|Long Lake]] and the newly-constructed causeway connecting [[Brandy Pond]]
|image_flag               =
|image_seal               =

<!-- Maps -->
|image_map                = Cumberland County Maine incorporated and unincorporated areas Naples highlighted.svg
|mapsize                  = 260px
|map_caption              = Location in [[Cumberland County, Maine|Cumberland County]] and the state of [[Maine]].

<!-- 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        = [[Cumberland County, Maine|Cumberland]]
|parts_type               = Villages
|parts                    = [[Naples (CDP), Maine|Naples]]<br>Edes&nbsp;Falls<br>South&nbsp;Naples
|government_footnotes     =
|government_type          =
|leader_title             =
|leader_name              =
|leader_title1            =
|leader_name1             =
|established_title        =
|established_date         =

<!-- Area -->
|unit_pref                = Imperial
|area_footnotes           = <ref name ="Gazetteer files"/>
|area_magnitude           =
|area_total_km2           = 96.48
|area_land_km2            = 82.41
|area_water_km2           = 14.06
|area_total_sq_mi         = 37.25
|area_land_sq_mi          = 31.82
|area_water_sq_mi         = 5.43

<!-- Population -->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_est           = 
|pop_est_as_of            = 
|population_footnotes     = 
|population_total         = 3925
|population_density_km2   = 47.6
|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              = 96
|elevation_ft             = 315
|coordinates              = {{coord|43|57|36|N|70|36|11|W|region:US-ME|display=inline}}
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code              = 04055
|area_code                = [[Area code 207|207]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 23-48085
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 0582613
|website                  = [http://www.townofnaples.org/ Town of Naples, Maine]
|footnotes                =
}}
'''Naples''' is a [[New England town|town]] in [[Cumberland County, Maine|Cumberland County]], [[Maine]], United States. It is part of the [[Portland, Maine|Portland]]&ndash;[[South Portland, Maine|South Portland]]&ndash;[[Biddeford, Maine|Biddeford]], Maine [[Portland-South Portland-Biddeford metropolitan area|metropolitan statistical area]]. The population was 3,925 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]],<ref name="Census 2020">{{Cite web| url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=0600000US2300548085| title=Census - Geography Profile: Naples town, Cumberland County, Maine| publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]| access-date=January 15, 2022}}</ref> and it is home to part of [[Sebago Lake State Park]]. Naples is a resort area.

==History==

The area was settled in 1774. Farming in [[Naples, Maine]] was limited by the soil, which consisted of gravelly loam, its surface strewn with [[glacial erratic]] [[boulder]]s. The uplands, however, provided good grazing for [[livestock]], and [[hay]] became the principal crop.<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/n255 220]–222| url = https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_OcoMAAAAYAAJ| quote = coolidge mansfield history description new england 1859.  }}</ref>

Named for [[Naples]], [[Italy]],<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/genInfo.php?locIndex=2246|title= Profile for Naples, Maine, ME|publisher= ePodunk|access-date= August 26, 2012|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181109070713/http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/genInfo.php?locIndex=2246|archive-date= November 9, 2018|url-status= dead}}</ref> the town was incorporated on March 4, 1834,<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.city-data.com/city/Naples-Maine.html|title= Naples, Maine|publisher= City-Data.com |access-date=August 26, 2012}}</ref> from parts of [[Otisfield, Maine|Otisfield]], [[Harrison, Maine|Harrison]], [[Raymond, Maine|Raymond]] and [[Bridgton, Maine|Bridgton]]. Between 1845 and 1856, it annexed more land from [[Sebago, Maine|Sebago]], Otisfield and Bridgton. The Songo [[lock (water transport)|Lock]], completed two years before town incorporation, linked [[Long Lake (Maine)|Long Lake]] and [[Brandy Pond (Cumberland County, Maine)|Brandy Pond]] with [[Sebago Lake]], allowing passage of boats from [[Harrison, Maine]] to [[Portland, Maine|Portland]] through the [[Cumberland and Oxford Canal]] in [[Standish, Maine|Standish]]. A [[canning]] factory and [[Cooper (profession)|cooperage]] were established at Naples village. The community also produced [[carriage]]s, men's and boy's clothing, boots and shoes.<ref>[http://history.rays-place.com/me/naples-me.htm George J. Varney, "History of Naples, Maine" (1886)]</ref>

The scenery of the lakes, however, would make [[tourism]] the dominant industry. Visitors in the 19th century included [[Henry Wadsworth Longfellow]] and [[Nathaniel Hawthorne]]. To accommodate his passengers, Charles L. Goodridge of the Sebago Lake, Songo River & Bay of Naples Steamship Company built a hostelry on a knoll at the southern end of Long Lake. On July 26, 1899, the Bay of Naples Inn opened with 80 bedrooms. It was designed by [[John Calvin Stevens]], who reduced by two-fifths a plan originally created for the ill-fated Metallak Hotel in [[Colebrook, New Hampshire|Colebrook]], [[New Hampshire]]. While under construction, the Metallak was destroyed in April 1893 during a violent [[windstorm]], and its investors abandoned the project. The Bay of Naples Inn, which faced [[Mount Washington (New Hampshire)|Mount Washington]] and the east side of the [[White Mountains (New Hampshire)|White Mountains]], was a popular resort during the early 20th century. Automobile tourists began arriving after designation of the [[Theodore Roosevelt International Highway]] in 1919 (identified as [[United States Route 302]] since 1935).<ref name="montana">{{cite book |last= Tracy |first= A.W. |chapter= Highway Display's America's Glories |title= Theodore Roosevelt International Highway, Montana |page=7 |url= http://www.mdt.mt.gov/photogallery/docs/trhwy1.pdf |publisher= [[Montana Department of Transportation]] |access-date= August 21, 2008 |date= December 1996 |orig-year= 1921}}</ref>  The Bay of Naples Inn remained open through the 1951 season, but in 1964 was deemed unprofitable and razed.<ref>Bryant F. Tolles, Jr., ''The Grand Resort Hotels of the White Mountains''; David R. Godine, publisher; Boston 1998</ref>

<gallery>
Image:Naples Village & Long Lake, Naples, ME.jpg|Naples village {{circa|1920}} 
Image:Post Office, Naples, ME.jpg|Post Office in {{circa|1910}}
Image:The Casino, Naples, ME.jpg|The Casino in 1911
Image:Bay of Naples Inn, Naples, ME.jpg|Bay of Naples Inn, 1913
</gallery>

==Geography==

[[Image:Trickeypondsunrise.jpg|thumb|right|Trickey Pond in 2005]]
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the town has a total area of {{convert|37.25|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|31.82|sqmi|sqkm|2}}  is land and {{convert|5.43|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> Naples is drained by the [[Songo River]].

Water bodies that are adjacent to, or within  Naples include:
* [[Sebago Lake]]
* [[Chute River]]
* [[Long Lake (Maine)|Long Lake]]
* [[Brandy Pond (Cumberland County, Maine)|Brandy Pond]]
* [[Trickey Pond]]

==Demographics==

{{US Census population
|1840= 758
|1850= 1025
|1860= 1219
|1870= 1058
|1880= 1007
|1890= 846
|1900= 813
|1910= 736
|1920= 514
|1930= 641
|1940= 676
|1950= 747
|1960= 735
|1970= 956
|1980= 1833
|1990= 2860
|2000= 3274
|2010= 3872
|2020= 3925
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
}}
[[Image:Steamboat Leaving Bay of Naples Landing.jpg|thumb|left|Steamboat {{circa|1910}}]]

===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 3,872 people, 1,579 households, and 1,094 families living in the town. The [[population density]] was {{convert|121.7|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 3,004 housing units at an average density of {{convert|94.4|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the town was 97.4% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.3% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.2% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.5% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.2% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 1.4% 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 1,579 households, of which 30.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.8% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 30.7% were non-families. 23.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.83.

The median age in the town was 42.9 years. 22.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.4% were from 25 to 44; 33% were from 45 to 64; and 13.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 51.2% male and 48.8% 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 3,274 people, 1,297 households, and 931 families living in the town.  The population density was {{convert|102.9|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.  There were 2,381 housing units at an average density of {{convert|74.9|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.  The racial makeup of the town was 98.20% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.15% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.31% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.31% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.21% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.82% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 0.21% of the population.

There were 1,297 households, out of which 32.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.6% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 8.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.2% were non-families. 21.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.  The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 2.90.

[[Image:Up the Songo River, ME.jpg|thumb|right|[[Songo River]] in 1908]]
In the town, the population was spread out, with 24.6% under the age of 18, 5.6% from 18 to 24, 29.8% from 25 to 44, 25.3% from 45 to 64, and 14.7% who were 65 years of age or older.  The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.3 males.  For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.2 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $38,141, and the median income for a family was $40,825. Males had a median income of $31,458 versus $24,596 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the town was $18,176.  About 6.9% of families and 7.6% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 10.4% of those under age 18 and 2.3% of those age 65 or over.

==Arts and culture==

===Site of interest===

* Naples Historical Society Museum

==Notable people==

* [[Augustus Bove]], state legislator
* [[Richard Cebra]], state legislator with the [[Maine Republican Party]] (2004–2012) and (2016–present) and state Republican Party chairman (2012–2013)
* [[Major Knight]], state legislator with the [[Greenback Party]] (1880)
* [[Daniel Merriam]], watercolorist
* [[Christine Powers]], state legislator
* [[Richard Thompson (Maine politician)|Richard Thompson]], state legislator
* [[Mark Walker (Maine politician)|Mark Walker]], state legislator<ref>{{Cite web |title=Walker Mark – Maine House Republicans |url=https://mainehousegop.org/members/walker-mark/ |access-date=February 22, 2024 |website=mainehousegop.org}}</ref>

==References==

{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.townofnaples.org/ Town of Naples official website]
* [http://www.naples.lib.me.us/ Naples Public Library]
* [http://www.muddyriversnoseekers.org/ Muddy River Sno Seekers Snowmobile Club]
* [http://www.state.me.us/cgi-bin/doc/parks/find_one_name.pl?park_id=26 Sebago Lake State Park]
* [http://www.mainegenealogy.net/individual_place_record.asp?place=naples Maine Genealogy: Naples, Cumberland County, Maine]

{{Cumberland County, Maine}}
{{Presumpscot River}}

{{Coord|43|58|18|N|70|36|33|W|type:city_region:US-ME|display=title}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Naples, Maine| ]]
[[Category:Towns in Cumberland County, Maine]]
[[Category:Portland metropolitan area, Maine]]
[[Category:Towns in Maine]]