Pittsfield (Maine)
Somerset County
23-58970
Pittsfield is a city (town ) in the U.S. state of Maine. It lies on the Sebasticook River in the southern part of Somerset County and is home ( according to census from the year 2010) 4,215 inhabitants.
The city's population is 96 % White, 2% African- Americans and 2% Indians. The crime rate in Pittsfield is still above the average for the state, however, dropped sharply in recent years thanks to new youth programs.
Geography
Pittsfield is located in close proximity to the administrative capital of Skowhegan on an area of 48.7 square miles to about 220 m above sea level.
History
The first permanent settler, who built on the spot where now stands the city, Moses Martin was. In 1795, the loggers and hunters settled here with his family and lived in a good neighborhood with the Abenaki Indians of the region.
In 1800 came further added settlers and the settlement was called " Plymouth Gore ". Later (1816 ), it was renamed " Sebasticook Plantation " and the City of Warsaw was attributed. In 1824 the name was changed to the small town of Pittsfield, in honor of landowner William Pitt who owned large parts of the area.
The population of the city grew steadily, which is probably because of the railway must be attributed, but it is mainly to be justified in the settlement of numerous mills. Another important growth factor was the establishment of the Maine Central Institute ( 1866), for the educational opportunity attracted more settlers.
1881, the city of Pittsfield was in a fire completely destroyed, but rebuilt in the shortest possible time. With the connection of the Pittsfield Electric Light and Power Company to the power supply the wood-processing industry has become increasingly important.
Between 1900 and 1920 the population of Pittsfield went back briefly before she experienced a renewed upturn of the late 20s and almost reached its present size. When the mills were retreated more and more from New England and moved to the south, one presented in Pittsfield at the initiative of citizens to access industrial shoe manufacturing, and various construction companies settled in the city.
The opening of Interstate 95 ( which extends to the southern tip of Florida ) changed the entire city image, as the existing main road was now no longer the main traffic route. On the access road of Interstate highways soon opened supermarkets, motels and gas stations to passing lure of the Interstate down to the city. The highway also released the track from the most important means of transport, so that fewer and fewer trains stopped in the small town. During this time the Maine Central Institute ( MCI) became the private boarding school, and shall therefore also for foreign students very popular, so many foreign cultural influences came into the city; also was the teaching level well above the high schools.
Where once stood the horse racetrack in the city, a small airport was inaugurated in 1933, which was mainly used by Navy pilots stationed on the coast of Maine, to practice flights. The first fire-fighting aircraft of the "Pine " state were stationed here. In the 1960s, the airfield was renovated and is now used by small charter flights from the major cities of the east coast and from business and private individuals.
Culture
The end of July in each year Pittsflied the " Central Maine Egg Festival". During the five- day festival, which starts with a big parade, be different attractions for young and older people offered (eg the " Egglympics ").
Economy and infrastructure
Pittsfield is today one of the major employment centers in the region. Many workers from surrounding towns commute daily to their jobs in Pittsfield.
The largest employers in the city are:
- G. S. Edwards ( security systems)
- San Antonio Shoe
- Sebasticook Valley Hospital
- C. M. Almy ( church robes )
- Cianbro Construction Company
- Maine Central Institute
- Hancock Lumber
Traffic
Pittsfield is located directly on Interstate 95. The railway line is only used for wood transport, passenger trains no longer run. The airport can only fly private.
Public institutions
The The Sebasticook Valley Hospital on Grove Hill supplies (mostly outpatient / 25 beds) in 1963 patients of the environment.
The public library was opened in 1903. It stands in the center of the city, opposite the small station. The library and the monument to the soldiers of the Civil War in front of it were included in the " National Register of Historic Places" in 1983.
In 1915, a silent movie theater was opened with Leger 's Theatre. From 1929 sound films could be shown. In 1956, J. R. bought Cianchette the cinema and renovated it completely ( eg installation of the first padded folding chair of the State) since 1977, is one of the Pittsfield Community Theatre in the city.
Education
Pittsfield has some state and primary schools up to Class 8 The high school training will take place on Maine Central Institute ( MCI), a private school on the site, instead. The city also offers educational programs for adults and the disabled.