GetWiki

{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}

factoids

New England town>Town| nickname = | motto = The Little Town That CouldStemming from a local during the 2004 Biathlon World Cup| image_skyline = File:NPS FortKentRRStation.jpg| imagesize = Fort Kent Railroad Station is listed on the National Register of Historic Places listings in Aroostook County, Maine>National Register of Historic Places| image_flag = | image_seal = | pushpin_map = Maine#USA| pushpin_map_alt = | pushpin_map_caption = Location of Fort Kent in Maine##Location of Fort Kent in the USA| pushpin_label = Fort Kent| pushpin_label_position = bottom| image_map = Aroostook County Maine incorporated and unincorporated areas Fort Kent highlighted.svg| mapsize = 250px| map_caption = Location of Fort Kent, Maine| subdivision_type = Country| subdivision_name = United StatesU.S. state>State| subdivision_name1 = MaineList of counties in Maine>CountyAroostook County, Maine>Aroostook| parts_type = VillagesFort Kent (CDP), Maine>Fort KentFort Kent MillsBradburys| government_footnotes = | government_type = | leader_title = | leader_name = | leader_title1 = | leader_name1 = | established_title = Incorporated| established_date = February 23, 1869| unit_pref = Imperial| area_footnotes = | area_magnitude = | area_total_km2 = 142.84| area_land_km2 = 140.30| area_water_km2 = 2.54| area_total_sq_mi = 55.15| area_land_sq_mi = 54.17| area_water_sq_mi = 0.982020 United States Census>2020| population_est = | pop_est_as_of = | population_footnotes = | population_total = 4067| population_density_km2 = 29.0| population_density_sq_mi = North American Eastern Time Zone>Eastern (EST)| utc_offset = −5| timezone_DST = EDT| utc_offset_DST = −4| elevation_footnotes = | elevation_m = 186| elevation_ft = 61047316820region:US-ME|display=inline,title}}| postal_code_type = ZIP Codes| postal_code = 04743–04744Area code 207>207Federal Information Processing Standard>FIPS code| blank_info = 23-25755Geographic Names Information System>GNIS feature ID| blank1_info = 0582477www.fortkent.org}}| footnotes = }} Fort Kent is a town in Aroostook County, Maine, United States, situated at the confluence of the Fish River and the Saint John River, on the border with New Brunswick, Canada. The population was 4,067 in the 2020 census.WEB,weblink Census - Geography Profile: Fort Kent town, Aroostook County, Maine, January 15, 2022, Fort Kent is home to an Olympic biathlete training center, an annual CAN-AM dogsled race,WEB,weblink CAN-AM CROWN INTERNATIONAL SLED DOG RACE, can-am.sjv.net, July 14, 2010, dead,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20100416064115weblink">weblink April 16, 2010, and the Fort Kent Blockhouse, built in reaction to the Aroostook War and in modern times designated a national historic site. Principal industries include agriculture (particularly potatoes and forestry) and textiles. Fort Kent is the northern terminus of U.S. 1 and the ending point of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail.

History

Fort Kent was erected in the summer of 1839 as an American border outpost during the undeclared Aroostook War. The blockhouse, the first structure built in what is the present-day city of Fort Kent, was named after then-governor of Maine Edward Kent.WEB,weblink Fort Kent Chamber of Commerce, www.fortkentchamber.com, January 19, 2011, WEB,weblink NPS-Maine Acadian Culture, Fort Kent Blockhouse, U.S. National Park Service, January 19, 2011, WEB,weblink Maine - Aroostook County, National Register of Historical Places, January 19, 2011, The Saint John River was a log driving route from upstream forests to downstream sawmills and paper mills until the Bangor and Aroostook Railroad and trucks began transporting pulpwood.BOOK, Rail Service in the Midwest and Northeast Region, United States Department of Transportation, United States Government Printing Office, 1974,

2008 flooding

After receiving nearly {{convert|200|in|cm}} of snow during the 2007–2008 winter season, the Saint John River began to flood on April 29. Nearly two days of nonstop rain also contributed to the flooding. As the river rose, it poured into the downtown area. More than 600 of Fort Kent's 4,233 residents were evacuated. The river's water level rose to nearly {{convert|31|ft|m}}, which was {{convert|6|ft|m}} above flood stage.WEB,weblink March 17, 2008, A FLOOD FOR THE AGES, The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram, Maine Today Media, July 14, 2010, dead,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20110728065344weblink">weblink July 28, 2011, Governor John Baldacci declared a state of emergency for the region, flying from Augusta to see the damage first-hand. The Fish River did most of the damage, flooding St. Louis Catholic church and an apartment building.

Relationship with French Canada

The town is economically and culturally linked to the Canadian towns of Clair and Saint-François-de-Madawaska, both in Madawaska County, New Brunswick, directly across the Saint John River. Most children on the Canadian side attend French-speaking school while their American counterparts are taught mainly in English.Sixty-two percent of the residentsWEB,weblink Fort Kent town, Aroostook County, Maine - DP-2. Profile of Selected Social Characteristics: 2000 (Total population), factfinder.census.gov, July 14, 2010,weblink" title="archive.today/20200212044111weblink">weblink February 12, 2020, dead, of Fort Kent are regular speakers of French. The variety of French spoken in Fort Kent, and most of the Saint John River Valley, closely resembles the French spoken in Quebec and New Brunswick. It is referred to as New England French, "Valley French", or "Brayon". Many residents have American-Canadian dual citizenship.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of {{convert|55.15|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|54.17|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.98|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.WEB, US Gazetteer files 2010,weblink United States Census Bureau, December 16, 2012,

Climate

Fort Kent has a humid continental climate (Koppen: Dfb). There are four distinct seasons, with winter being the longest, typically beginning during November or late October and lasting well into April many years. Summers are very pleasant, with warm days and cool nights. Fort Kent receives a large amount of snowfall every year, averaging {{convert|97|in|cm|abbr=off|sp=us}} of snowfall. The highest single day snowfall recorded is {{convert|20.4|in|cm|abbr=on}}, which took place on January 30, 1945. The highest snow depth recorded is {{convert|63|in|cm|abbr=on}} and occurred on January 20, 1955. Temperature records range from {{convert|-42|°F}} on January 14–15, 1957 and February 20, 1966, to {{convert|98|°F}} on June 29, 1893. The coldest maximum recorded is {{convert|−16|°F}}; this occurred on January 4, 1981. The warmest minimum recorded is {{convert|72|°F}}, which occurred on the dates July 9, 1944, July 14, 1987, August 16, 1970, and August 17, 1937. On average, the last and first freeze dates are May 28 and September 17, giving Fort Kent an average growing season of 112 days.WEB, Team, National Weather Service Corporate Image Web, NWS Caribou, ME Climate,weblink August 1, 2020, w2.weather.gov, EN-US, {{Weather box |location = Fort Kent, Maine (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1893–present)|single line=Yes|width = auto|collapsed = true|Jan record high F = 59|Feb record high F = 59|Mar record high F = 77|Apr record high F = 83|May record high F = 95|Jun record high F = 98|Jul record high F = 96|Aug record high F = 97|Sep record high F = 92|Oct record high F = 83|Nov record high F = 73|Dec record high F = 60|year record high F = 98|Jan avg record high F = 41.0|Feb avg record high F = 41.9|Mar avg record high F = 52.3|Apr avg record high F = 67.3|May avg record high F = 81.1|Jun avg record high F = 87.0|Jul avg record high F = 88.0|Aug avg record high F = 86.7|Sep avg record high F = 81.7|Oct avg record high F = 71.1|Nov avg record high F = 58.7|Dec avg record high F = 45.6|year avg record high F = 90.2|Jan high F = 18.9|Feb high F = 22.6|Mar high F = 32.9|Apr high F = 45.8|May high F = 61.4|Jun high F = 70.9|Jul high F = 75.8|Aug high F = 74.6|Sep high F = 66.0|Oct high F = 52.0|Nov high F = 38.3|Dec high F = 25.8|year high F = 48.7|Jan mean F = 7.9|Feb mean F = 10.0|Mar mean F = 20.9|Apr mean F = 35.4|May mean F = 49.4|Jun mean F = 59.1|Jul mean F = 64.8|Aug mean F = 62.9|Sep mean F = 54.3|Oct mean F = 41.8|Nov mean F = 30.3|Dec mean F = 17.0|year mean F = 37.8|Jan low F = -3.2|Feb low F = -2.7|Mar low F = 9.0|Apr low F = 25.1|May low F = 37.4|Jun low F = 47.3|Jul low F = 53.7|Aug low F = 51.2|Sep low F = 42.7|Oct low F = 31.7|Nov low F = 22.3|Dec low F = 8.1|year low F = 26.9|Jan avg record low F = -24.4|Feb avg record low F = -23.0|Mar avg record low F = -15.5|Apr avg record low F = 10.2|May avg record low F = 26.0|Jun avg record low F = 34.8|Jul avg record low F = 43.3|Aug avg record low F = 40.1|Sep avg record low F = 29.6|Oct avg record low F = 19.3|Nov avg record low F = 4.6|Dec avg record low F = -13.3|year avg record low F = -27.6|Jan record low F = -42|Feb record low F = -42|Mar record low F = -34|Apr record low F = -12|May record low F = 17|Jun record low F = 28|Jul record low F = 33|Aug record low F = 31|Sep record low F = 14|Oct record low F = 7|Nov record low F = -14|Dec record low F = -33|year record low F = -42|precipitation colour = green|Jan precipitation inch = 2.78|Feb precipitation inch = 2.34|Mar precipitation inch = 2.75|Apr precipitation inch = 3.17|May precipitation inch = 3.31|Jun precipitation inch = 4.42|Jul precipitation inch = 4.52|Aug precipitation inch = 3.73|Sep precipitation inch = 3.72|Oct precipitation inch = 4.26|Nov precipitation inch = 3.23|Dec precipitation inch = 3.38|year precipitation inch = 41.61|Jan snow inch = 20.3|Feb snow inch = 21.0|Mar snow inch = 19.0|Apr snow inch = 6.6|May snow inch = 0.1|Jun snow inch = 0.0|Jul snow inch = 0.0|Aug snow inch = 0.0|Sep snow inch = 0.0|Oct snow inch = 1.1|Nov snow inch = 8.9|Dec snow inch = 22.3|year snow inch = 99.3|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in|Jan precipitation days = 13.4|Feb precipitation days = 11.2|Mar precipitation days = 10.9|Apr precipitation days = 11.7|May precipitation days = 14.0|Jun precipitation days = 13.7|Jul precipitation days = 15.1|Aug precipitation days = 13.2|Sep precipitation days = 12.4|Oct precipitation days = 13.7|Nov precipitation days = 12.6|Dec precipitation days = 13.7|year precipitation days = 155.6|unit snow days = 0.1 in|Jan snow days = 9.0|Feb snow days = 8.0|Mar snow days = 6.9|Apr snow days = 2.7|May snow days = 0.2|Jun snow days = 0.0|Jul snow days = 0.0|Aug snow days = 0.0|Sep snow days = 0.0|Oct snow days = 0.6|Nov snow days = 4.3|Dec snow days = 8.6|year snow days = 40.3|source 1 = NOAAWEB,weblink NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, May 22, 2021, WEB,weblink Station: FT Kent, ME, U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991–2020), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, May 22, 2021, }}

Demographics

{{see also|Fort Kent (CDP), Maine}}{{US Census population|1870= 1034|1880= 1512|1890= 1826|1900= 2528|1910= 3710|1920= 4237|1930= 4726|1940= 5363|1950= 5343|1960= 4761|1970= 4575|1980= 4826|1990= 4268|2000= 4233|2010= 4097|2020= 4067PUBLISHER=CENSUS.GOV, June 4, 2015, }}

2010 census

As of the censusWEB, U.S. Census website,weblink United States Census Bureau, December 16, 2012, of 2010, there were 4,097 people, 1,747 households, and 1,062 families living in the town. The population density was {{convert|75.6|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 1,922 housing units at an average density of {{convert|35.5|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the town was 94.9% White, 0.8% African American, 0.8% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 0.1% from other races, and 2.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.7% of the population.There were 1,747 households, of which 25.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.5% were married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 39.2% were non-families. 31.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.83.The median age in the town was 42.7 years. Of residents 19.9% were under the age of 18; 12.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 20.7% were from 25 to 44; 29.5% were from 45 to 64; and 17.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 48.0% male and 52.0% female.

2000 census{| class"wikitable sortable collapsible" style"font-size: 90%;"

! Languages (2000) WEB,weblink Data Center Results, !! PercentFrench language>French at home 49.24%English language>English at home 50.76%As of the censusWEB,weblink United States Census Bureau, January 31, 2008, U.S. Census website, of 2000, there were 4,233 people, 1,735 households, and 1,106 families living in the town. The population density was {{convert|78.2|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 1,824 housing units at an average density of {{convert|33.7|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the town was 96.95% White, 0.38% Black or African American, 0.76% Native American, 0.87% Asian, 0.28% from other races, and 0.76% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.50% of the population.There were 1,735 households, out of which 28.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.0% were married couples living together, 6.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.2% were non-families. Of all households 29.3% were made up of individuals, and 13.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.90.In the town, the population was spread out, with 22.3% under the age of 18, 11.3% from 18 to 24, 26.9% from 25 to 44, 24.0% from 45 to 64, and 15.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.7 males.The median income for a household in the town was $29,547, and the median income for a family was $41,616. Males had a median income of $35,325 versus $19,146 for females. The per capita income for the town was $16,403. About 9.5% of families and 14.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.7% of those under age 18 and 18.2% of those age 65 or over.

Arts and culture

International Muskie Derby

Fort Kent is home to the International Muskie Fishing Derby. The Derby was started in 2003 to provide a platform to showcase the new fishery and continues today. It has brought attention to the new fishery and helped bring attention to national TV shows such as ESPN 2's Beat Charlie Moore. This show and other future shows will help showcase the fishery to not only potential derby contestants but for a more secure and expanded tourist based fishery. The St John Watershed is a unique muskie habitat. Several factors make it acceptable and necessary to remove some fish from the ecosystem for the fishery to remain healthy.WEB,weblink Catch and Release, www.fortkent-muskie.com,

Ploye Festival

Along with the Muskie Derby is the Fort Kent Ploye Festival, one of the featured events is the making of the world's largest ploye. This event attracts hundreds of spectators, making it the highlight of the Ploye Festival. The massive ploye, which thus far, measures 12 feet in diameter, can only be accomplished with the help of friends and family of Bouchard Family Farm, producers or the ploye mix. It requires approximately fifteen bags of charcoal to ready the metal pan to the accurate temperature in order for the ploye to be cooked to perfection. It also needs about fifty pounds of ploye mix, much water (which is then mixed in five-gallon pails) and plenty of muscle to stir the mix. Five people are required to transport the mix from the pails to the awaiting pre-heated pan and also four people to spread the mix out as fast as possible. The thin batter cooks quickly, so time is of the essence. Once cooked, the enormous pan is then removed from the coals, and the ploye is taken off with huge spatulas. Pieces of the giant ploye are then plopped onto large trays and brought to nearby tables where they can be buttered with brushes, and distributed to the eagerly awaiting crowd.WEB,weblink Bouchard Family Farms Ployes Festival, August 26, 2015, dead,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20150828065146weblink">weblink August 28, 2015,

World Cup IBU

The Fort Kent Outdoor Center (previously known as 10th Mountain) has hosted a multitude of World Cup biathlon events, including the largest events in 2004 and 2011, where racers from around the globe took part in various biathlon events in Fort Kent. During the 2011 World Cup Biathlon, Chicago Bulls superstar Scottie Pippen visited Fort Kent to witness the race. 2010–11 Biathlon World Cup – World Cup 8 The World Cup Biathlon will be returning to Northern Maine in 2023.WEB,weblink Welcome to the Fort Kent Outdoor Center - Fort Kent Outdoor Center, Fort Kent Outdoor Center,

World Acadian Congress

Northern Maine and parts of New Brunswick and Quebec participated in the World Acadian Congress to celebrate the rich Acadians history of the area in 2014. Multiple family reunions and events took place during the time, including concerts, parades, and festivals.WEB,weblink 2014 World Acadian Congress, 2014 World Acadian Congress - Home, August 26, 2015,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20150910054305weblink">weblink September 10, 2015, dead,

Can Am Crown International Sled Dog Race

The Can-Am Crown International Sled Dog Race was first held on Tuesday, February 16, 1993. Nine teams from Maine, Ontario, Quebec, and New Brunswick competed in that race. In 1994 sixteen teams competed in the 250-mile race and eleven in the newly introduced 60-mile race. In 1997 a 30-mile race was added to the itinerary. That same year, the first Saturday in March was established as the official start date for all three races. The race begins on Main Street in Fort Kent, sloping underneath the international bridge to Canada, then extending into the western parts of the Allagash wilderness, and finishes back in Fort Kent. Three races are part of the CAN-AM Crown, consisting of a 30-mile, 60 mile, and an Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race qualifying 250 mile race.WEB,weblink Can-Am Crown Race Statistics, www.can-am-crown.net,

Education

Fort Kent is served by Maine School Administrative District 27. Schools in the town include Fort Kent Elementary School, Valley Rivers Middle School and Fort Kent Community High School.The town is home to the campus of the University of Maine at Fort Kent.

Infrastructure

Transportation

U.S. Route 1 begins in Fort Kent near the Clair–Fort Kent Bridge, continues {{convert|2209|mi|0}}, and ends in Key West, Florida."German film crew arrives in Fort Kent". The Bangor Daily News. September 20, 1994. p. B3.Fort Kent signed a lease agreement with the Fish River Flying Club on July 8, 2011, to repair, maintain, and operate the local municipal airport, which had been closed since the 1980s.WEB,weblink Recreational Aviation Foundation, theraf.org,

Notable people

People born in Fort Kent:

• Benjamin Collings (born 1976), politician
• Mike Daisey (born 1976), monologistWEB,weblink Q&A Mike Daisey, Apr 15 2011 - Video - C-SPAN.org, C-SPAN.org,
• Clair Goodblood (1929-1951), recipient of the Medal of Honor
• Helen Hamlin (1917-2004), author
• Troy Dale Jackson (born 1968), politician
• Ellis Paul (born 1965), singer-songwriter
• Austin Theriault (born 1994), NASCAR driver and politician
• Don Voisine (born 1952), abstract artist

References

External links

{{Wikivoyage|Fort Kent}}

• Town of Fort Kent

{{Aroostook County, Maine}}{{Saint John River}}{{authority control}}