The County Conundrum: Unraveling Brunswick's Locale In Maine

Brunswick is a town in Cumberland County, Maine, United States. It is located at the falls of the Androscoggin River, 26 miles (42 km) northeast of Portland. The town was first settled in 1628 by Thomas Purchase and other fishermen, and was originally called Pejepscot, meaning the long, rocky rapids part [of the river].

Brunswick's history

Brunswick, Maine, was first settled in 1628 by Thomas Purchase and other fishermen, who called the area by its indigenous name, Pejepscot, meaning "the long, rocky rapids part [of the river]". In 1639, Purchase placed his settlement under the protection of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. During King Philip's War in 1676, Pejepscot was burned and abandoned, though a garrison called Fort Andros was built on the ruins during King William's War.

In 1714, a consortium from Boston and Portsmouth bought the land, thereafter called the Pejepscot Purchase. The Massachusetts General Court constituted the township in 1717, naming it "Brunswick" in honour of the House of Brunswick and its scion, King George I. A stone fort called Fort George was built in 1715 near the falls. However, during Dummer's War on July 13, 1722, Abenaki warriors from Norridgewock burned the village. Brunswick was rebuilt again in 1727, and in 1739 it was incorporated as a town.

Brunswick became a prosperous seaport, and Bowdoin College was founded there in 1794. The Androscoggin River falls in three successive stages for a total vertical drop of 41 feet (12 m), providing water power for industry. Brunswick became a major producer of lumber, with as many as 25 sawmills. The town was also the site of the first cotton mill in Maine, the Brunswick Cotton Manufactory Company, built in 1809 to make yarn.

In addition to its industrial development, Brunswick played a significant role during the Civil War. Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote her famous novel *Uncle Tom's Cabin* in Brunswick in the 1850s, and Joshua L. Chamberlain, a Bowdoin professor who became a Civil War hero, accepted the surrender of the Confederate infantry at Appomattox, effectively ending the war.

Population statistics

Brunswick, located in Cumberland County, Maine, has a long history dating back to its early days as a trading post in 1628. The town's population has fluctuated over the years, with several estimates and census records providing insights into its demographic changes.

According to the 2000 census, Brunswick had a population of 21,172 residents. This number decreased slightly to 20,278 by the 2010 census. However, the 2020 United States Census reported a population of 21,756, indicating a rebound in the town's population.

A closer look at the racial makeup of Brunswick, as of the 2010 census, reveals that 93.0% of the population was White, 1.7% was African American, 0.3% was Native American, 2.1% was Asian, and 0.5% belonged to other races. Additionally, 2.4% of the population identified as belonging to two or more races, and 2.9% were Hispanic or Latino.

The median age in Brunswick was 41.4 years, with 19.2% of residents under the age of 18 and 18.2% aged 65 and above. The gender distribution was slightly skewed, with 47.1% male and 52.9% female residents.

In terms of household composition, the 2010 census showed that 25.7% of households had children under the age of 18. 44.7% of households were married couples living together, while 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 3.3% had a male householder with no wife present. Solo dwellers were also a significant portion of the population, with 35.1% of all households consisting of individuals, and 16.5% of those being someone living alone who was 65 or older.

Brunswick's population density, as of the 2010 census, was 433.9 inhabitants per square mile. The town's land area covers 46.73 square miles, with a total area of 54.34 square miles when including bodies of water.

Local attractions

Brunswick, Maine, is a town steeped in history and culture, offering a range of attractions for visitors to enjoy. Here is a list of some of the top places to visit:

• Bowdoin College: Walk in the footsteps of literary greats like Nathaniel Hawthorne, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, and Harriet Beecher Stowe, who was inspired to write "Uncle Tom's Cabin" while attending the First Parish Church. Bowdoin College is also home to several museums, including the Bowdoin College Museum of Art, which boasts one of the most extensive art collections in America.
• Joshua L. Chamberlain Museum: This museum celebrates the life of Civil War hero and former Maine governor, Joshua Chamberlain. Visitors can take a guided tour of his home and learn about his legacy.
• Skolfield-Whittier House: A true Victorian time capsule, this Italianate mansion was home to three generations of the same family. The house showcases furniture, decor, and home goods from the Victorian age to the early 20th century.
• Peary-MacMillan Arctic Museum: Dedicated to Arctic exploration, this museum showcases the achievements of two Bowdoin College alumni, Robert E. Peary and Donald B. MacMillan.
• Pejepscot History Center: The headquarters of the Pejepscot Historical Society includes rotating local history exhibitions, research services, and year-round programming.
• Maine State Music Theatre: Enjoy Broadway-quality performances and musical theatre by Maine's largest performing arts group.
• Androscoggin Swinging Bridge: Originally built in 1892 for workers crossing the river, this historic bridge offers a unique perspective of the town and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
• Brunswick Town Mall: A green space at the heart of the town, the Brunswick Town Mall is far from a typical shopping mall. It hosts community gatherings, festivals, concerts, and farmers' markets, with plenty of space to relax and enjoy the surrounding historic streetscape.
• Thomas Point Beach: This sandy beach offers a beautiful view of Thomas Bay and features amenities like a playground and picnic areas.
• Brunswick Naval Air Museum: Learn about Maine's critical role in World War II and the Cold War at this aviation museum, which showcases airplanes, artifacts, and autobiographies.
• Historic Sites: Brunswick has a number of historic districts recognised on the National Register of Historic Places, including the Brunswick Commercial Historic District, Lincoln Street Historic District, and Harriet Beecher Stowe House, where "Uncle Tom's Cabin" was written.

Transport links

Brunswick, Maine, is served by a variety of transport links, including bus, rail, and road.

Bus

The Brunswick Link provides public transit services in Brunswick, with 27 stops located in-town, on Brunswick Landing, and throughout the Cook’s Corner area. The bus service operates Monday to Friday, from 6:00 or 6:45 am to 6:30 or 7:20 pm, with additional morning and evening commuter express services. The Brunswick Link connects to the BlueLine commuter bus service to and from Bath, the Topsham Fair Mall, Lisbon Falls, Lisbon, Lewiston, and Auburn. The bus service is operated by Western Maine Transportation Services, Inc. (WMTS), a non-profit regional transportation corporation appointed by MaineDOT to provide public transportation.

Rail

Brunswick is served by Amtrak's Downeaster train service, which terminates at Brunswick Maine Street Station and connects the town to the Portland Transportation Center and Boston's North Station.

Road

Brunswick is served by Interstate 295, U.S. Routes 1 and 201, and Maine State Routes 24, 123, and 196.

Town records

The Brunswick Town Clerk's office holds original vital records of birth, marriage, and death. These date back to the town's earliest days, with birth records from 1670-1921, marriage records from 1670-1921, and death records from 1670-1911. The Town Clerk's office also holds records relating to divorces.

Other town records available online include town meeting minutes, estrays (stray animals), freemens' oaths (men eligible to vote), and warning outs (of town). These records can be accessed through the FamilySearch Catalog and provide a glimpse into the historical functioning of the town.

Probate records, which are also typically kept at the town level in Maine, are available online for Brunswick from 1584-1999. These records can be accessed through Ancestry. Additionally, Maine wills from 1640-1760 and county probate records from 1760-1979 are available through the FamilySearch Catalog.

The town's history is also reflected in its land records, which date back to 1760. These records include land deeds, land office records, and homestead exemption applications. They can be accessed through the FamilySearch Catalog and the Maine State Archives.

Brunswick's military history is documented in records from the Revolutionary War (1775-1783), Civil War (1861-1865), World War I (1917-1918), and World War II (1941-1945). These records are searchable by town and provide insights into the town's contributions to these conflicts.

The town's early religious life is recorded in church records from 1734-1907, which include information on baptisms, christenings, births, marriages, and deaths. These records can be accessed through FamilySearch and the Allen County Public Library.

Frequently asked questions