Rank of Maine, Public Safety

Maine ranks very low in crime and prisoner incarcerations. With respect to crime rates, the Morgan Quitno Press, which produces state-by-state rankings on a variety of subjects, produced rankings of the “safest states” based on a formula that measures how a state compares to the national average for a given set of crime categories. They…

Rank of Maine, Health and Obesity

Maine appears to be near the national average in terms of the percent of its populations in various categories that are obese, or overweight and obese, or who have diabetes or hypertension – both linked to being overweight. YEAR RANK MAINE U.S. Obesity Adults 2003 43 19.9% 22.8% 20051 34 22.0% n.a. 20061 33 23.0%2…

Rank of Maine, Election Turnout

For half a century, Maine has had a relatively high voter turnout in presidential elections. In every presidential election from 1960 to 2008, Maine’s turnout, based on its voting age population, has exceeded the national average, frequently by 10% or more. In 2012 it was again ranked second (to perennial rival Minnesota by 0.4%) as it was in 2000 and 2008.

Rank of Maine, Geography

Maine, while the largest in New England, is relatively small compared to other states.  It abundant lakes, rivers and streams contribute to a high ranking for water resources. Unlike many western state with huge proportions of land owned by the federal government, Maine has a very small amount, most of which is in Acadia National…

Rank of Maine, Economy

YEAR RANK MAINE U.S. Agriculture Land in Farms, Percent 1992 43 15% 43.6% 1997 40 6.7% 42.2% 2002 49 6.9% 41.4% 2007 49 6.8% 40.8% Land in Farms, Acres 2000 43 1,270,000 943,090,000 1992 43 1,258,297 945,531,506 1997 42 1,211,648 931,795,255 2002 40 1,369,768 938,279,056 2007 41 1,347,566 922,095,840 Average Acres per Farm 1990 36…

Rangeley

Rangely Lake (2001)

The town is at the center of the Rangeley Lakes Region with many hotels, campsites, boat launching facilities and recreational opportunities. See photos. The region was the setting for Louise Dickenson Rich’s 1942 book We Took to the Woods. It hosts Hunter Cove nature preserve and Bald Mountain public reserved land.

Randolph

A suburb of Augusta, Randolph, tiny in terms of land area, lies on the east bank of the Kennebec River near Gardiner. A pedestrian trail extends from the Kennebec River through Randolph and Chelsea. The trail once linked the river and the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, now Togus Veterans Home. That was during the 1800’s by the narrow-gauge (two-foot wide tracks) Kennebec Central Railroad.

Randall, Benjamin

Benjamin Randall (1789-1859) a U.S. Representative, was born in Topsham on November 14, 1789, he pursued an academic course, was graduated from Bowdoin College in 1809. He studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1812 and began his practice in Bath. During the War of 1812 in September 1814, Randall served in the State…

Railroads

Steam Locomotive at Biddeford Station Commerce Park (2013)

A Brief History of Railroads Maine Railroad technology was first developed in Great Britain, and included Richard Trevithick’s steam locomotive of 1804 and George Stevenson’s locomotive “Rocket” of 1829. In addition to the standard gauge (width) lines reviewed here, narrow gauge railroads also had a special role to play in the state. The first railroad…

Rabies

Chart: Rabies by County 1994-2010

What Should You do if You have been Exposed? If you have been bitten or scratched by a wild animal, or by a pet or farm animal that has been behaving oddly, follow these steps: 1. Animals must be killed or captured without injuring the brain; brain tissue must be tested. 2. Immediately wash the…

Prospect

on the west bank of the Penobscot River, across from Bucksport, the main village is at the junction of Maine Route 174 and U.S. Route 1A, near the South Branch of the Marsh River. Prospect is home to Fort Knox, built in 1844 with Mount Waldo granite from Frankfort and named for Henry Knox, the first U.S. Secretary of War.

Princeton

Boat Launch and Swimming Area at Lewy Lake (2013)

The town surrounds most of Pocomoonshine Lake, the origins of whose fascinating name is unclear. In 1886, the Gazetteer of Maine referred to it as “Shining Lake.” See photos. Along its northern boundary is a chain of lakes, including Long Lake and Lewey Lake, easily accessible from Princeton Village.