Aroostook County, Maine is located in the northernmost part of the state. It is bordered by Penobscot and Piscataquis counties to the south, Washington County to the east, and New Brunswick, Canada to the north. See Countryaah – Counties in Maine. The county is nearly 10,000 square miles in size and consists of a large area of rural land with many small towns and villages.
The most notable geographical feature within Aroostook County is Mount Katahdin which stands at 5267 feet tall in Baxter State Park. This mountain is the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail and holds a special place in Maine’s history as it marks the original border between what was once British Canada and Maine. Other notable features within Aroostook County include many rivers such as the St. John River which serves as a major shipping route for goods from Canada into Maine, as well as several lakes such as Eagle Lake which offers recreational opportunities for fishing, swimming, boating, and other activities.
The county also contains two national wildlife refuges: Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge and Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge which provide habitats for various species of birds, mammals, fish, amphibians, reptiles and more. As well as these two refuges there are numerous state parks throughout Aroostook County that offer camping opportunities along with hiking trails to explore its natural beauty.
Demographics of Aroostook County, Maine
Aroostook County, Maine is the largest county in the state by land area and is home to a population of 71,870 people. The majority of the population is white (93.4%), followed by Native American (2.1%), African American (1.3%), Asian (0.8%), and other races making up the remaining 2.4%. The median household income for Aroostook County residents is $43,935 and the median age of residents is 44 years old.
The largest cities within Aroostook County are Caribou, Presque Isle, Fort Fairfield, Houlton, and Madawaska. Caribou has a population of 8,326 people and serves as the county seat for Aroostook County; it also has one of the most diverse populations with 40% of its citizens identifying as being from a racial or ethnic minority group. Presque Isle has a population of 9,167 people and serves as an educational hub for northern Maine; it houses both Northern Maine Community College and University of Maine at Presque Isle which offer students educational opportunities at both two-year and four-year institutions.
In addition to its diversity in race and ethnicity, Aroostook County also has diversity in language spoken with nearly 11% speaking French or French Creole; this makes it one of the most bilingual counties in all of New England with English being spoken by 86% while 4% speak other languages such as Spanish or Arabic.
Overall, Aroostook County offers residents diverse cultural experiences with its many different ethnicities living side by side while still maintaining a rural setting that allows visitors to explore its natural beauty through outdoor activities such as fishing, hunting, hiking trails and more.
Places of Interest in Aroostook County, Maine
Aroostook County, Maine is home to many natural and historical sites that offer visitors a variety of activities.
The Aroostook State Park is one of the county’s most popular attractions. The park offers a variety of outdoor activities, including camping, fishing, canoeing, and hiking trails. It’s also home to an 18-hole golf course and a ski resort. In addition to its recreational opportunities, the park is home to several historical sites such as the Aroostook Historical Museum and Fort Kent Blockhouse which were used during the Aroostook War in 1839.
The Fort Kent Outdoor Center is another popular spot for visitors looking for outdoor activities. The center offers cross-country skiing trails as well as snowshoeing trails in the winter months and biking, hiking, canoeing and kayaking in the summer months. Visitors to the center can also take part in educational programs on topics such as wildlife management or nature photography.
For those looking for more cultural experiences, there are several historic sites in Aroostook County that offer insight into its history and culture. The Washburn-Norlands Living History Center is dedicated to preserving 19th century rural life with its working farmstead; it includes a blacksmith shop, sawmill and gristmill as well as demonstrations of pioneer life such as weaving or woodworking. Other historic sites include Fort Fairfield’s Tarratine Park which served as a fort during the War of 1812 or Presque Isle’s Castle Hill which was built by James Gifford who served in both World Wars I and II.
Overall, there are many places of interest throughout Aroostook County that offer visitors an opportunity to explore its natural beauty while learning about its history through cultural experiences.
Notable People of Aroostook County, Maine
Aroostook County, Maine is home to many notable people who have made significant contributions to its culture and history.
One of the most celebrated figures in the county is Joshua Chamberlain, a Union general during the Civil War who earned a Medal of Honor for his heroic actions at the Battle of Gettysburg. After the war, Chamberlain went on to serve as Governor of Maine, President of Bowdoin College, and as a lecturer and advocate for veterans rights.
Another renowned figure in Aroostook County is artist Marsden Hartley. Hartley was born in Lewiston but moved to Aroostook County with his grandparents at an early age. He went on to become a renowned artist whose works focused on themes such as nature, religion and patriotism. His paintings can be seen in galleries across the country including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City and The National Gallery in Washington D.C.
The county also produced numerous writers such as poet Eileen O’Connor who wrote about her experiences living in rural Maine; novelist Carolyn Chute who wrote about poverty and inequality; and journalist Leon Leonwood Bean whose outdoor writings helped popularize hunting and fishing throughout America.
In addition to its literary figures, Aroostook County has produced many notable athletes such as basketball player Kris Humphries who played for Duke University before being drafted by the NBA; ice hockey player Ben Bishop who won a Stanley Cup with Tampa Bay Lightning; and golfer Ryan Gay whose family has been involved with golf courses throughout Northern Maine since 1871.
Overall, Aroostook County has produced many notable people throughout its history that have made significant contributions to its culture and society today.