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Augusta, ME

Frequently asked questions

Augusta, ME

Augusta is the capital of the U.S. state of Maine and the county seat of and most populous city in Kennebec County. Augusta is included in the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine metropolitan New England city and town area.  The city's population was 18,899 at the 2020 census, making it the 12th most populous city in Maine, and the 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 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 of the Plymouth Company, built Fort Western near the site of the abandoned trading post in 1754 and began settlement efforts. The new village was incorporated as Hallowell in 1771, and the upriver part of the 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 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 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 the city. Interstate 95 passes by the western outskirts of Augusta, and both U.S. 202 and U.S. 201 run through the city.

Augusta is located at 44°18′38″N 69°46′46″W, 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 km2), of which 55.13 sq mi (142.79 km2) is land and 2.90 sq mi (7.51 km2) is water. Augusta is drained by Bond's Brook, Woromontogus Stream, and the Kennebec River.

In terms of health and wellness, Augusta showcases its dedication through institutions like the MaineGeneral Medical Center, a leading healthcare facility serving the city. Residents and visitors alike can enjoy a healthy lifestyle with the abundance of parks and outdoor spaces in Augusta. Notably, the Kennebec River Rail Trail provides opportunities for walking, jogging, and cycling along the scenic riverfront, promoting an active and outdoor-oriented community.

Top sites in Augusta, ME are Capitol Park, Maine State Museum, and First Amendment Museum at the Gannett House.

Population: 19,168 (2024). ZIP codes: 04330, 04332, 04333, 04336, 04338. Area code: 207. Elevation: 121 ft (37 m). Incorporated: August 20, 1849. Area: 58.04 sq mi (150.31 km2).

FAQs

What is Augusta, ME best known for?

Augusta is notable for the National Historic Landmark named Fort Western, a former British colonial outpost on the Kennebec River that today is the oldest wooden fort in the United States. Most people don't realize that before Augusta took the title, Portland served for a short time as the capital of Maine. In 1832, the city’s elaborate capital building was completed. 

Why is Augusta, ME’s capital?

The legislation proclaimed that beginning Jan. 1, 1832, the permanent seat of state government would be established at Augusta. Cheever said officials didn't want to keep Portland as the state's capital because they wanted the capital to be closer to the center of the state. Overall, the legislation's proclamation of Augusta as the permanent seat of state government exemplified a deliberate effort to align the capital with the evolving needs and demographics of Maine, demonstrating a commitment to equitable governance and geographic representation.

What is an interesting fact about Augusta Maine?

In 1799, Augusta became the shire town of the newly formed Kennebec County. In 1827, the town was designated the capital of Maine, which had entered the union in 1820 as the 23rd state. The Maine Legislature met here for the first time in January 1832. Augusta was chartered as a city in 1849.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Augusta, Maine

Maine General Medical Center

Maine Trail Finder

Capitol Park

Maine State Museum

First Amendment Museum at the Gannett House

Maine

Press Herald
 

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