55-741: The Maine State House in Augusta, Maine , is the state capitol of the State of Maine . The building was completed in 1832, one year after Augusta became the capital of Maine . Built using Maine granite , the State House was based on the design of the Massachusetts State House (Maine was formerly part of Massachusetts, and became a separate state in 1820). Governor Janet Mills and the Maine Legislature convene at
110-554: A complete set of architectural drawings has survived. On August 15, 2022, a large metal object traveling at a high rate of speed crashed onto the Capitol grounds, narrowly missing a Maine Capitol Police employee. The incident prompted an investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration . The Maine Legislature 's Legislative Council authorized the replacement of the copper sheath of the dome, which
165-543: A film production studio. For much of Augusta's history, the central business district was on and near Water Street on the west bank of the Kennebec River. The street, laid out in the late 1700s, was the location of the area's commercial and industrial life. Many fires damaged this concentrated area, including one in 1865 that destroyed nearly 100 buildings. In 1890, the first trolley line began operation down Water Street, connecting Augusta with Gardiner and Hallowell to
220-473: A height of 185 feet (56 m) was built to replace the original cupola. A gilt copper statue of Minerva , the draped female figure of Wisdom , by William Clark Noble of Gardiner , surmounted the dome. The House of Representatives occupies the third and fourth floors of the north wing and the Senate chambers occupy similar quarters in the south wing. The governor's office is located in renovated space on
275-486: A household in the city was $ 29,921, and the median income for a family was $ 42,230. Males had a median income of $ 31,209 versus $ 22,548 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 19,145. About 11.4% of families and 15.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.2% of those under age 18 and 9.8% of those age 65 or over. Augusta is governed by a mayor and council-manager system. The City Council oversees all City government activities and establishes
330-506: A male householder with no wife present, and 49.0% were non-families. 39.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.08 and the average family size was 2.76. The median age in the city was 43.2 years. 18.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26% were from 25 to 44; 29.4% were from 45 to 64; and 18% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of
385-469: A prominent Augusta family. Blaine substantially enlarged the building, constructing an addition at the rear that was a near replica of the original structure, and removing interior walls to create a large entertainment space. During World War I the house was used by Maine's Committee for Public Safety. It was presented to the State by Blaine's youngest daughter, Mrs. Harriet Blaine Beale, and established by
440-545: A province and a state. To the north, across from the State House, is the Executive Mansion, more commonly known as The Blaine House , which Harriet Blaine Beale presented to the state in 1919. The State House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973, for its importance in the history of the state, and for its architecture. It is the only known work of Charles Bulfinch for which
495-545: A publishing and shipping center. Today, government and post-secondary education are important businesses. Since the mid-eighteenth century, there has been a military presence in Augusta. Fort Western has not had troops garrisoned there since the 1790s, but in 1828, the U.S. Government built an arsenal to protect their interests from Britain. During the Civil War , Augusta was a rendezvous point for Union soldiers traveling to
550-626: Is January, with an average low of 10 °F (−12.2 °C). Most snowfall occurs from December through March. There is usually little or no snow in April and November, and snow is rare in May and October. See or edit raw graph data . As of the census of 2010, there were 19,136 people, 8,802 households, and 4,490 families residing in the city. The population density was 347.1/sq mi (134.0/km ). There were 9,756 housing units at an average density of 177.0/sq mi (68.3/km ). The racial makeup of
605-542: Is part of the Portland, Maine television market , and receives most of that market's channels. WCBB channel 10, licensed to Augusta, is the local television outlet for the Maine Public Broadcasting Network . Interstate 95 passes by the western outskirts of Augusta. U.S. 202 runs east–west through the city. U.S. 201 runs north–south through the city. Augusta State Airport (AUG), in
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#1732800854867660-660: Is the capital of the U.S. state of Maine and the county seat of and most populous city in Kennebec County . The city's population was 18,899 at the 2020 census , making it the 12th most populous city in Maine , and 3rd least populous state capital in the United States after Montpelier, Vermont , and Pierre, South Dakota . The area was explored in 1607 by English settlers from the Popham Colony at
715-529: Is water. Augusta is drained by Bond's Brook, Woromontogus Stream and the Kennebec River . The city is crossed by Interstate 95 , U.S. Route 201 , State Route 11 , U.S. Route 202 , State Route 9 , State Route 3 , State Route 100 , State Route 27 , State Route 8 , State Route 104 , and State Route 105 . Augusta borders the towns of Manchester to its west, Sidney and Vassalboro to its north, Windsor to its east, Chelsea to its south, and
770-513: The University of Maine at Augusta . Because of the city's position on the Kennebec, downtown Augusta is vulnerable to floods in spring. The Maine flood of 1987 , known as the "Great Flood", affected the city. Bond Brook runs from northwest to southeast through the city center, and has been called the "Home of wild Atlantic Salmon". The city has five different residential areas, including
825-622: The bill establishing Augusta as the capital in 1832. After careful consideration of various sites on both sides of the river, the governor and the Commissions chose a 34 acres (140,000 m) lot for the Maine State House and extending from the old Hallowell road to the Kennebec River . The building was designed by the renowned architect Charles Bulfinch of Boston , and in its original form resembles his Massachusetts State House. About 150 feet (46 m) in length, including
880-416: The "west side", a historic neighborhood north of the state capitol complex, and the "east side", which is situated on the opposite side of the Kennebec. The city's northwest quadrant includes both a retail center and neighborhoods. Augusta State Airport serves the city, offering both commercial service and general aviation. Although the airport is owned by the State of Maine, it is managed and operated by
935-485: The 1919 Legislature as the official residence of the governor of Maine. It was remodeled, to designs by the noted Maine architect John Calvin Stevens , prior to the first governor taking residence in 1921. Carl E. Miliken was the first governor to occupy the residence. The Blaine House was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1964, for its association with Blaine, an influential political and diplomatic figure on
990-402: The Capitol during 1909–1910 established the present-day appearance of the building. It was enlarged according to designs by G. Henri Desmond , necessitating the demolition of almost all the old buildings save the front and rear walls. While the noble Bulfinch front was preserved, the length of the building was doubled to 300 feet (91 m) by extending the north and south wings. A dome rising to
1045-576: The Maine senate, house and various other officials and aides. Construction of the shelter started on May 5, 1983, under the pretense of renovation; completed September 3, 1985, and it has been fully stocked and staffed ever since. At the south side of the Capitol grounds, the Maine State Library , Maine State Museum and Maine State Archives are housed in a modern building. Throughout the building are portraits of governors and other men and women who have served Maine throughout its history as
1100-542: The Midwest. Excellent soil provided for agriculture, and water power from streams provided for the industry. In 1837, a dam was built across the Kennebec where the falls drop 15 feet at the head of a tide. By 1838, 10 sawmills were contracted. With the arrival of the Kennebec & Portland Railroad in 1851, Augusta became an even more productive mill town . In 1883, the property of A. & W. Sprague Company
1155-597: The September 30 issue of the Kennebec Journal , some of the old copper, and personal items from the legislators. The Legislative Council debated what to do with the old copper roof once it was removed from the dome. The contract for the project originally called for the State to have salvage rights for 500 square feet (46 m) of the old copper and the contractor to have rights to the remainder, which has an estimated value of $ 15,000. It had been suggested that
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#17328008548671210-447: The State House. When Maine separated from Massachusetts and became a state in 1820, a number of cities and towns sought the honor of becoming the state capital . The principal aspirants were Portland , Brunswick , Hallowell , Waterville , Belfast , Wiscasset , and Augusta. The first capital of Maine was Portland, but it moved to Augusta because of its more central location. The Legislature passed and Governor Samuel E. Smith signed
1265-416: The State may want to keep more of the copper in order to do more with it. Democratic Assistant Senate Majority Leader Anne Haskell has suggested that at least some of the copper could be sold or auctioned to Mainers who might want a memento of the building, such as former state workers or legislators. She also suggested some sort of contest could be held among artists for using the copper, perhaps as part of
1320-519: The State's " one percent for art " program. Republican Senate Minority Leader Michael Thibodeau stated his support for some sort of artistic use of the copper but expressed concern about how the copper would be stored, storage costs, and security. On September 24, the Council decided to purchase the 6,500 square feet (600 m) of old copper from the contractor and will make some into souvenirs and sell about 600 square feet (56 m) to artists for
1375-507: The camp. As the airport grew, the use of the camp as a training facility was no longer possible. Today, it is still used for administrative and logistical purposes by the National Guard. In the 19th century, Augusta got a regular steamboat service and the railroad. The city installed gas lights in 1859. A telephone service was available in 1880 and a local hospital in 1898. In the early 20th century, Augusta built two movie houses and
1430-443: The central portion with columns and cupola and two wings extending north and south, the building's cornerstone was laid on July 4, 1829, amid impressive Masonic ceremonies. Construction was of granite from Hallowell quarries and took three years to complete. The cost of the building was originally estimated to be $ 80,000, but when completed, expenditures of the building, furnishings and grounds amounted to $ 135,000, of which $ 11,500
1485-449: The city of Hallowell to its southwest. Augusta's climate is classified as a humid continental climate ( Köppen : Dfb ). Summers are typically warm, rainy, and humid, while winters are cold, windy, and snowy. Spring and fall are usually mild, but conditions are widely varied, depending on wind direction and jet stream positioning. The hottest month is July, with an average high temperature of 80 °F (26.7 °C). The coldest month
1540-540: The city was 48.6% male and 51.4% female. As of the census of 2000, there were 18,560 people, 8,565 households, and 4,607 families residing in the city. The population density was 335.1 inhabitants per square mile (129.4/km ). There were 9,480 housing units at an average density of 171.2 per square mile (66.1/km ). The racial makeup of the city was 96.21% White , 0.50% Black or African American , 0.48% Native American , 1.35% Asian , 0.01% Pacific Islander , 0.16% from other races , and 1.3% from two or more races. 0.86% of
1595-445: The city was 94.1% White , 1.1% African American , 0.7% Native American , 1.5% Asian , 0.1% Pacific Islander , 0.4% from other races , and 2.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.8% of the population. There were 8,802 households, of which 23.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.2% were married couples living together, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.0% had
1650-603: The city. Interstate 95 passes by the western outskirts of Augusta, and both U.S. 202 and U.S. 201 run through the city. The area was first explored by the English of the short-lived Popham Colony in September 1607. Twenty-one years later, English settlers from the Plymouth Colony settled in the area in 1628 as part of a trading post on the Kennebec River . The settlement was known by its Native American name Cushnoc (or Coussinoc or Koussinoc), meaning "head of
1705-477: The completion of the Maine State House in 1832, designed by Charles Bulfinch . Augusta was incorporated as a city in 1849. After being named the state capital and the introduction of new industry, the city flourished. In 1840 and 1850, the city ranked among the 100 largest urban populations in the country. During the next decade, however, the city was quickly bypassed by rapidly growing metropolises in
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1760-414: The copper oxidizes to a green once again. The statue of Minerva was also re-gilded and repaired by EverGreene Architectural Arts . The cost of $ 1.2 million was paid from a Legislative Council account. The replacement of the copper was completed October 1, with some minor work lasting until November. Legislative leaders placed a time capsule in the dome, containing a book of Maine laws, a legislative handbook,
1815-579: The downtown area. Augusta is located at 44°18′38″N 69°46′46″W / 44.31056°N 69.77944°W / 44.31056; -69.77944 , making it the easternmost state capital in the United States. According to the United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 58.03 sq mi (150.30 km ), of which 55.13 sq mi (142.79 km ) is land and 2.90 sq mi (7.51 km )
1870-622: The eastern bank of the Kennebec River. It was intended as a supply depot for Fort Halifax upriver, as well as a regional defense from French attack. Later, during the American Revolutionary War , Benedict Arnold and his 1,100 troops would use Fort Western as a staging area before continuing their journey up the Kennebec to the Battle of Quebec . Cushnoc was incorporated as part of Hallowell in 1771. Known as "the Fort", it
1925-399: The four public elementary schools that are located in the city. Cony serves students in grades 7–12 from Augusta and the surrounding towns; Cony comprises Cony Middle School and Cony High School . St. Michaels is a private Catholic school ; it charges tuition to its students. The University of Maine at Augusta is third-largest university in the University of Maine System . Augusta
1980-571: The front. Many of the soldiers camped on the green in front of the capitol building. In 1862, Camp E.D. Keyes was established in the northwestern portion of the city. During World War I , Camp Keyes was used as a mobilization and training camp for soldiers. The camp eventually became a headquarters for the Maine National Guard . In 1929, the state legislature approved the placement of the Augusta State Airport next to
2035-449: The legislative policies of the city, adopts and amends ordinances and local laws, appropriates municipal resources, and sets the tax rate. The City Manager serves as the chief executive officer and purchasing agent of the city. The mayor presides at all meetings of the council, and is recognized ceremonially as the official head of the city. The city maintains a police department ; it is remarkable for not having had an officer killed in
2090-489: The line of duty for over a century. Augusta has historically been Democratic . In the 2012 presidential election , Barack Obama received 5,192 of the votes to Mitt Romney 's 3,339. In the 2020 presidential election , Joe Biden won 5,248 votes to Donald Trump 's 4,155. The city has not voted for a Republican presidential candidate since George H. W. Bush in the Republican landslide of 1988 . Democrats are
2145-428: The majority political affiliation in all four voting wards. There are more voters who are not enrolled than there are registered Republicans in the city. There are five public schools, one private school, and one college (the University of Maine at Augusta ). There are two public libraries in Augusta, the city-operated Lithgow Public Library and the Maine State Library . Farrington, Gilbert, Hussey, and Lincoln are
2200-498: The making of art and the remainder will be scrapped. It is conservatively expected that the portion sold to artists will bring approximately $ 12,250 to the State, while the making of souvenirs will cost about $ 3,600. Legislative leaders believe the State could make more money than estimated. 44°18′26″N 69°46′54″W / 44.307237°N 69.781676°W / 44.307237; -69.781676 Augusta, Maine Augusta ( / ə ˈ ɡ ʌ s t ə / ə- GUSS -tə )
2255-532: The mouth of the Kennebec River . Before European settlement, Algonquian-speaking Indians lived in the area. In 1625, representatives of Plymouth Colony chose the east shore of the Kennebec for a trading post, which was likely built in 1628 and became known as " Cushnoc ". The Kennebec Proprietors, successors to the Plymouth Company , built Fort Western near the site of the abandoned trading post in 1754 and began settlement efforts. The new village
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2310-486: The national stage in the decades following the Civil War . In June 2014, a system of high efficiency heat pumps was installed in the Blaine House in an effort to reduce the heating bill, after a test of one over the winter in the governor's sleeping quarters. With heating oil , the Blaine House used 5,074 gallons of oil at a cost of $ 16,775 in 2013. The oil boiler is also going to be converted to natural gas in
2365-439: The population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 8,565 households, out of which 24.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.1% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 46.2% were non-families. 38.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size
2420-561: The second floor at the rear of the central portion of the Capitol along with the Hall of Flags and the law library. The governor's office overlooks the massive, granite State Office Building located to the west of the State House. A recently renovated tunnel connects the State House and the State Office Building. The tunnel houses several Maine wildlife scenes. A side tunnel leads to a cold war fallout shelter, large enough to house
2475-596: The south. In 1932, buses replaced the trolley line. With the completion of the Maine Turnpike and Interstate 95 in 1955, local commercial developments began to move away from Water Street and closer to the highway. Among the results was a storefront vacancy rate downtown of about 60 percent. Since the late 2000s, there has been a renewed and ongoing focus by city officials, the Augusta Downtown Alliance, and private developers to revitalize
2530-524: The street from the Maine State House . The Blaine House was donated to the State of Maine for use as a governor's residence by Harriet Blaine Beale in 1919. The house dates back to 1833 and was built by James Hall, a retired ship's captain. James G. Blaine , then the Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives , purchased it in 1862 as a present for his wife, the former Harriet Stanwood, daughter of
2585-535: The tide". Fur trading was at first profitable, but because of Native uprisings and declining revenues, Plymouth Colony sold the Kennebec Patent in 1661. Cushnoc would remain unoccupied for the next 75 years. The area around Cushnoc was inhabited by the Kennebec , a band of the larger Abenaki nation. During the 17th century, they were on friendly terms with the English settlers in the region. A hotbed of Abenaki hostility toward British settlements
2640-487: The western part of the city, has commercial flights. Nation: States: Territories: The Blaine House The Blaine House , also known as the James G. Blaine House , is the official residence of the governor of Maine and their family. The executive mansion was officially declared the residence of the governor in 1919 with the name "Blaine House". It is located at Capitol and State streets in Augusta , across
2695-402: Was 2.10 and the average family size was 2.77. In the city, the population was spread out, with 20.5% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 28.3% from 25 to 44, 24.8% from 45 to 64, and 17.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.5 males. The median income for
2750-492: Was contributed by the city of Augusta. The Maine Legislature held its first session in the new state Capitol on January 4, 1832. The interior of the Capitol was remodeled in 1852 and again in 1860 to provide additional room for state departments. In 1890–1891, a large three-story wing was added to the rear of the building to accommodate the State Library and to provide more office space for departments. Major remodeling of
2805-514: Was incorporated as Hallowell in 1771, and the upriver part of town separated in 1797 to form the town of Harrington. On June 9, 1797, Harrington changed its name to Augusta and, in 1827, it was designated capital of Maine. Augusta is the easternmost state capital in the United States. Located on the Kennebec River at the head of tide , it is the principal city in the Augusta-Waterville micropolitan statistical area and home to
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#17328008548672860-484: Was located further up the Kennebec at Norridgewock . In 1722, the tribe and its allies attacked Fort Richmond (now Richmond ) and destroyed Brunswick . In response, English forces sacked Norridgewock in 1724 during Dummer's War , when the English gained tentative control of the Kennebec. During the height of the French and Indian War , in 1754, the English colonists built a blockhouse named Fort Western at Cushnoc on
2915-506: Was long past its intended 75-year lifespan when it was installed in 1909–1910. The copper was pockmarked with hail damage and corrosion, with some holes in it as large as a dime. The eight-month project commenced in March 2014 and completed in October. The dome appears exactly the same as prior to renovations, with the exception of the color; it will appear brown for approximately 35 years until
2970-566: Was purchased by the Edwards Manufacturing Company, which erected extensive brick mills for manufacturing cotton textiles. They imported cotton from the South for processing and export to Europe. In the late 19th century, a paper and pulp plant was constructed. Other Augusta firms produced lumber, sash , doors, window shutters, broom handles, stone cutters' tools, shoes, headstones, ice and furniture. The city developed as
3025-764: Was set off and incorporated by the Massachusetts General Court in February 1797 as Harrington. In August, however, the name was changed to Augusta after Pamela Augusta Dearborn, daughter of Henry Dearborn . In 1799, it was designated as the county seat for the newly created Kennebec County. Maine became a state in 1820 as a result of the Missouri Compromise . Augusta was designated as its capital in 1827, over Portland , and rival communities Brunswick and Hallowell. The Maine State Legislature continued meeting in Portland , however, until
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