Saco (Maine)
York County
23-64675
Saco is a city in the U.S. state of Maine in the United States of America with 18,482 inhabitants ( according to the census of 2010). It lies opposite the city of Biddeford on the north bank of the Saco River and forms with it a double community.
- 3.1 Museums
- 3.2 Structures
- 3.3 parks
- 4.1 Media
- 4.2 Education
Geography
Geographical Location
Saco is located about four kilometers west of the mouth of the Saco River into the Atlantic Ocean on the north bank of the river.
Neighboring communities
- Biddeford
- Sandy Brook
- Old Orchard Beach
- Portland / Lewiston
History
The first settlement of the area by non- locals was through the efforts of the Plymouth Company, a development company of the English king for the new world in 1623 as part of the " Winter Harbor " of the region; an independent municipality was the place on July 5, 1653 The origin of the name is not going completely clear.; while there are derivations of different words of the then resident Indians Sokokis is fixed at the same time that an early explorer, Esteban Gomez, in 1525 "Bahia Saco ," meaning " sack Bay " called. But also the name of the resident Sokokis Indians could have been named in verballhornter form.
The church was originally part of the at- across the street shores Biddeford, 1762 renamed " Pepperellborough " and finally baptized in 1805 to the current name. 1867 Saco received city rights.
During the Indian wars from 1675 Saco was repeatedly assaulted and at least once burned down. 1689 even some residents were kidnapped hostage. Only when the city was then extended to the military town ( with 14 garrisons in 1723 ) the area was pacified. Saco developed, along with Biddeford, a center for the timber industry.
From 1811 onwards were in place heavy industry, a cotton mill and iron works, constructed; also settled here quickly a textile industry based on cotton to. Nevertheless, the city changed from about 1850 becoming a resort that attracted some well-known American poet. Nowadays Sacos economy is built almost exclusively on tourism. Several wildlife sanctuaries, a sheltered, wide sandy beach and two amusement parks are attractions for recreation seekers from further afield.
Culture and sights
Museums
The Saco Museum was founded in 1866 and since then has 11,000 exhibits, especially painting, local landscape graphics and garments. The museum is located in the old town - mile.
The MacDonald's mineral museum archived a large number of geological finds the area.
Structures
Saco has a cohesive historic district along Main Street, which has a number of old buildings. Particularly noteworthy are the Solomon Coit House, built in 1785 in the Georgian style, and Emma Hall House from 1892, which is a good example of the Queen Anne style.
Parks
On the banks of the Saco River there is the Ferry Beach State Park, which is easily accessible via. This is a combined conservation and recreation area.
The Goosefare Brook nature preserve represents another nature reserve on the waterfront of the city
Economy and infrastructure
Media
The Biddeford - Saco - OOB Courier and The Journal Tribune: In Greater Biddeford / Saco two weeks newspapers are published.
Education
In Saco schools at all levels are to be found; a branch of the University of New England is located in the neighboring Biddeford.
In addition, since 1811, the Thornton Academy, a private high school, located in Saco. It was originally founded as " Saco Academy" and renamed in 1821 for a sponsor. Between 1848 and 1884, the school system was interrupted. A special feature of this school is to be noted that they teach their classes in reverse order in the two-day rhythm (but then with twice as long class time ) to be expected only half the students the long way to school so often.