Charleston, Maine
| Charleston, Maine | |
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| Town | |
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 Charleston, Maine
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| Coordinates: 45°3′39″N 69°2′7″W / 45.06083°N 69.03528°WCoordinates: 45°3′39″N 69°2′7″W / 45.06083°N 69.03528°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Maine |
| County | Penobscot |
| Incorporated | 1811 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 40.56 sq mi (105.05 km2) |
| • Land | 40.55 sq mi (105.02 km2) |
| • Water | 0.01 sq mi (0.03 km2) |
| Elevation | 318 ft (97 m) |
| Population (2010) | |
| • Total | 1,409 |
| • Estimate (2012) | 1,398 |
| • Density | 34.7/sq mi (13.4/km2) |
| Time zone | Eastern (EST) (UTC-5) |
| • Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| ZIP code | 04422 |
| Area code(s) | 207 |
| FIPS code | 23-12105 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0582404 |
Charleston is a town in Penobscot County, Maine, United States. It is part of the Bangor Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 1,409 at the 2010 census. Charleston includes the village of West Charleston and is home to the Higgins Classical Institute, a Christian school.
Charleston was first settled as early as 1795 by Charles Vaughan. The land was granted on July 14, 1802, by the Massachusetts General Court to John Lowell. Known as T2 R5 NWP, or Township 2, Range 4, North of the Waldo Patent, it was incorporated on February 16, 1811, as New Charlestown, to distinguish it from Charlestown, Massachusetts, when that state included the province of Maine. But in 1820, Maine achieved statehood, so any confusion between the two ceased. Consequently, in 1827 the name was shortened to Charleston.
Sawmills were established to operate by water power at the streams. But Charleston was primarily an agricultural town. Its large farms were noted for raising horses and cattle. In 1837, the Higgins Classical Institute was founded. By 1870, the community had a population of 1,191. Between 1901 and 1930, the Bangor Railway & Electric Company operated trolleys on an electric railway between Bangor and Charleston.
In late 1950, construction began on the Charleston Air Force Station, part of the Aerospace Defense Command. Known as Bull Hill for its location in the town, the station was completed in early 1951, and fully manned and operational in 1952. After the base closed, it was transformed into the Charleston Correctional Facility, which opened in 1980.
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