| Ogunquit, Maine | |
|---|---|
| — Town — | |
 |
|
| Motto: "Beautiful place by the sea." | |
  Ogunquit, Maine
|
|
| Coordinates: 43°15′1″N 70°35′54″W / 43.25028°N 70.59833°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Maine |
| County | York |
| Incorporated | 1980 |
| Area | |
| - Total | 4.3 sq mi (11.1 km2) |
| - Land | 4.1 sq mi (10.6 km2) |
| - Water | 0.2 sq mi (0.5 km2) |
| Elevation | 141 ft (43 m) |
| Population (2000) | |
| - Total | 1,226 |
| - Density | 299.0/sq mi (115.5/km2) |
| Time zone | Eastern (EST) (UTC-5) |
| - Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| ZIP code | 03907 |
| Area code(s) | 207 |
| FIPS code | 23-54980 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0582646 |
| Website | www.townofogunquit.org |
Ogunquit, pronounced "o-GUHN-kwit", is a town in York County, Maine, United States. As of the 2000 census its population was 1,226. The popularity of the town as a summer resort is epitomized by its motto, "Beautiful Place by the Sea."
Ogunquit is part of the Portland–South Portland–Biddeford, Maine Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Contents |
Ogunquit, which meant "coastal lagoon" to native Abenaki Indians, was first a village within Wells, which was settled in 1641. The first sawmill here was established in 1686, and shipbuilding developed along the tidal Ogunquit River. Besides constructing schooners and brigs, local shipwrights built the famous "Ogunquit dory."
At what was then called Fish Cove, near the unnavigable Josias River, fishing was a major livelihood. But the cove was unprotected by a headland or breakwater from Atlantic storms, so fishermen had to protect their boats by hauling them ashore each night. Resolving to create a safe anchorage, they formed the Fish Cove Harbor Association, and dug a channel across land they purchased to connect Fish Cove with the Josias River. When the trench was complete, in roared the ocean, its erosion helping to further widen the passage. The resulting tidewater basin would be called Perkins Cove, across which spans a manually-operated draw footbridge, possibly one of the most photographed objects in Maine. With a 3 and a half mile beach of pale sand and dunes forming a barrier peninsula, connected to the mainland in 1888 by bridge across the Ogunquit River, the weatherbeaten old village was discovered by artists. It became a popular art colony and tourist area. Particularly after 1898, when the Ogunquit Art Colony was established, it was not unusual to see artists and fishermen plying their respective trades around Perkins Cove. To accommodate summer crowds, several grand seaside hotels and inns were built. Ogunquit is also known for its historical trail known as Marginal Way, which stretches approximately one and one-half miles along the craggy coastline. The walk is scenic, embracing the coast from Perkins Cove to Ogunquit Beach [1]. Today, Ogunquit remains a vibrant seasonal resort town, having separated from Wells in 1980. Visitors often arrive from great distances and in great numbers, some from Canada.
Over the past 100 years, Ogunquit has become a destination for LGBT tourists, and features numerous LGBT-owned and -operated hotels, restaurants, bars, theaters, and other businesses. Most of the LGBT-oriented businesses are in the Village area of the town.[2]
The Wells-Ogunquit Community School District provides education for students of all ages in the coastal southern Maine towns of Wells and Ogunquit.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 4.3 square miles (11.1 km²), of which, 4.1 square miles (10.6 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square miles (0.5 km²) of it (4.43%) is water. Ogunquit is drained by the Josias River and Ogunquit River.
Ogunquit’s Marginal Way,[2] a one and a quarter mile long trail with views of the coast, is neatly paved and the treacherous cliffs are, in places, fenced. The path leads from the downtown shopping area to the fishing village in Perkins Cove, now an outdoor mall of jewelry, clothing and candle boutiques.
As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 1,226 people, 668 households, and 346 families residing in the town. The population density was 299.0 people per square mile (115.5/km²). There were 2,114 housing units at an average density of 515.6/sq mi (199.1/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.53% White, 0.49% African American, 0.08% Native American, 0.49% Asian, 0.08% from other races, and 0.33% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.65% of the population.
There were 668 households out of which 10.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.6% were married couples living together, 3.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 48.2% were non-families. 39.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.84 and the average family size was 2.41.
In the town the population was spread out with 10.4% under the age of 18, 3.5% from 18 to 24, 18.0% from 25 to 44, 37.1% from 45 to 64, and 30.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 55 years. For every 100 females there were 109.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 106.0 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $47,727, and the median income for a family was $56,731. Males had a median income of $44,583 versus $31,528 for females. The per capita income for the town was $34,289. About 1.2% of families and 4.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.6% of those under age 18 and 3.7% of those age 65 or over.
Ogunquit was also a summer hideaway and haven for actors like Sally Struthers, Montgomery Clift, Bette Davis and Gary Merrill.[citation needed] Comedienne Totie Fields also had a summer home in Ogunquit; it is now The Admiral's Inn on Route 1.[citation needed]
 The beach along the Marginal Way, 2008 |
 The Marginal Way near the Beachmere Hotel, 2008 |
 Ogunquit Beach, 2008 |
 The bridge at Perkins Cove, 2008 |
 View from the Bridge at Perkins Cove, 2007 |
 The beach at Perkins Cove looking toward the Marginal Way, 2008 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Coordinates: 43°14′56″N 70°35′57″W / 43.24889°N 70.59917°W
Ogunquit is a seacoast town in Maine. The name is the Algonquin Indian word for "beautiful place by the sea". It features over three miles of beautiful sandy beach.
Ogunquit possesses a decent sized gay and lesbian population. There is a concentrated area of restaurants and shops near the intersection of Main Street and Shore Road, and access to the beach is nearby. The town's sidewalks (where they exist) are packed with tourists on weekends during the summer.
From Boston's North Station and Portland, Amtrak provides service on the "Downeaster" to the town of Wells, just north of Ogunquit.
There is no intercity bus service direct to Ogunquit, however you can take the train to Wells, and then take the local trolley to Ogunquit.
Interstate 95 is the direct route from Boston (1.25 hours) and other east coast cities. When coming from the south, take Maine Exit 7 to Route 1 North for access to Ogunquit and The Yorks.
Interstate 95 throughout Maine and New Hampshire can experience major traffic jams from tourists traveling between the Boston metro area and vacation areas in the north. Using a EZ Pass or compatible transponder[8] will avoid waiting in line at toll booths on 95. Using a GPS navigation system that can route you around traffic jams could also save a considerable amount of time, if you are not familiar with the area.
Route 1 is a viable coastal alternative to 95, and is also more scenic. Shore Road is even more coastal, connecting with Route 1 further south.
During the tourist season, Ogunquit experiences major traffic jams on Route 1 (Main Street) and Shore Road, centered around the intersection of the two roads. Public parking is in high demand and be quite expensive ($20/day). See the Town of Ogunquit website[9] for a map of available parking lots and rates. If driving, it is advisable to carpool if applicable, and determine where you would like to park in advance. Obed's Lot on Cottage Street requires advanced payment, which can be inconvenient if you do not know how long you wish to park, but which does allow you to leave without waiting in an exit line (unlike the main Beach Lot).
Taking the Ogunquit Trolley between your parking lot and destinations of interest can be cost effective. Paid dedicated motorcycle parking is available in the main Beach Lot, and is underused compared to automobile parking. Taking public transit or parking outside of town and bicycling in would also avoid traffic hassles.
Ogunquit is said to be the most walkable community in Maine.
Ogunquit has a very large number of places to stay.
The nearby villages of Wells, Saco and Kennebunkport hold some attractions.
| This article is an outline and needs more content. It has a template, but there is not enough information present. Please plunge forward and help it grow! |
Category: Outline articles
|
|
Wikis
Search
