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Cape Elizabeth

Cape Elizabeth, Maine
Town
The Portland Head Light, a famous lighthouse located in Cape Elizabeth
The Portland Head Light, a famous lighthouse located in Cape Elizabeth
Official seal of Cape Elizabeth, Maine
Seal
Location in Cumberland County and the state of Maine.
Location in Cumberland County and the state of Maine.
Coordinates: 43°36′17″N 70°13′34″W / 43.60472°N 70.22611°W / 43.60472; -70.22611
Country United States
State Maine
County Cumberland
Incorporated November 1, 1765
Area
 • Total 45.93 sq mi (118.96 km2)
 • Land 14.70 sq mi (38.07 km2)
 • Water 31.23 sq mi (80.89 km2)
Elevation 62 ft (19 m)
Population (2010)
 • Total 9,015
 • Estimate (2012) 9,080
 • Density 613.3/sq mi (236.8/km2)
Time zone Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
 • Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code 04107
Area code(s) 207
FIPS code 23-10180
GNIS feature ID 0582387
Website www.capeelizabeth.com

Cape Elizabeth is a town in Cumberland County, Maine, United States. The town is part of the Portland–South PortlandBiddeford, Maine metropolitan statistical area. As of the 2010 census, Cape Elizabeth had a population of 9,015.

Cape Elizabeth is the location of the Beach to Beacon 10K road race that starts at Crescent Beach State Park (the "beach") and ends at Portland Head Light (the "beacon"). The race draws runners from all parts of the U.S. and elite athletes from around the world. Cape Elizabeth only has one school department. Cape Elizabeth High School's team name is the "Capers".

At the southern tip of the promontory, Richmond Island was visited about 1605 by Samuel de Champlain and was the site of a trading post in 1628. John Smith explored and mapped New England in 1615, and gave names to places mainly based on the names used by Native Americans. When Smith presented his map to King Charles I, he suggested that the king should feel free to change any of the "barbarous names" for English ones. The king made many such changes, but only four survive today, one of which is Cape Elizabeth, which Charles named in honor of his sister, Elizabeth of Bohemia.

The first habitation by Europeans was on Richmond Island. Without title, Walter Bagnall (called "Great Walt") in 1628 established a trading post, dealing in rum and beaver skins. "His principal purpose appears to have been to drive a profitable trade with the Indians," writes historian George J. Varney, "without scruple about his methods." His cheating caught up with him in October 1631, however, when he was killed by the Indians, who also burned down his trading post.


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