Easton
A historic farming community in Aroostook County
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Located on the eastern boundary line of Aroostook County and Maine, Easton is a town of 1,320 residents as of the 2020 census. Originally organized as Fremont Plantation before its 1865 incorporation, the community is rooted in agriculture and wood products, which serve as its foundational industries.
Easton is a small rural community in Aroostook County, Maine, positioned along the eastern boundary line of the state. If you are planning a visit or moving to the area, this guide covers what you will find around Easton Maine.
Community and Demographics
Easton had a population of 1,320 residents as of the 2020 census, rising from 1,287 residents and 536 households recorded during the 2010 census. In 2010, the town had 352 families and a median age of 42.5 years, up from 524 households and a median age of 40 in 2000. More recently, American Community Survey 5-year estimates profiled by Census Reporter placed the median age at 52.6 years. The town includes an Old Order Amish community that operates family-run farms, bakeries, greenhouses, and craft shops throughout the community.
Local Economy
Agriculture and wood products form the foundational industries of Easton's local economy. Major employers and economic drivers include:
- McCain Foods: Operates a frozen potato processing facility in town that it acquired in 1976.
- Huber Engineered Woods: Runs a plant producing oriented strand board products, including flooring and sheathing.
- Easton School System: Serves as one of the community's major employers alongside agriculture and natural resource operations.
McCain Foods and Huber Engineered Woods have historically provided roughly 80 percent of Easton's local tax base. The Town of Easton has maintained a property tax mil rate of 17.4 for three consecutive years following property revaluations.
Schools and Public Services
Public education is administered by the Easton School Department, with district offices located at 33 Bangor Road. The local schools include:
- Easton Elementary School: Located at 33 Bangor Road, serving elementary students. A partnership between the town, the school department, and the Aroostook County Action Program (ACAP) provides a community school model with expanded childcare and early education services.
- Easton Junior/Senior High School: Located at 173 Center Road, serving the town's secondary students.
The town also operates the Easton Community Library, which opens to the public on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Local Government
Easton operates under a Selectman-Manager form of government with an Annual Town Meeting as its legislative body. The five-member Board of Selectmen is led by Chairman Bruce Flewelling and Vice Chairman Scott Allen. Cheryl J. Clark serves as the Town Manager, and Heidi Burtt serves as the Town Clerk.
The Easton Town Office is located at 80 Center Road (mailing address: P.O. Box 127, Easton, ME 04740; phone: (207) 488-6652). The office is open Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM; Tuesday from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM; and Friday from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM, closing each day from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM for lunch.
Community Landmarks and Recreation
Easton provides several municipal facilities, parks, and attractions:
- Francis Malcolm Science Center: Located on Houlton Road, this facility was established in October 1983 through the legacy of Francis M. Malcolm. It features northern Maine's northeasternmost planetarium theater, an observatory, natural history displays, and walking trails that pass through groves of spruce, pine, and cedar trees.
- Prestile Community Park: Features playground equipment, a pavilion with ADA-compliant restrooms and a kitchenette, canopied picnic areas, and grills.
- Odd Fellows' Hall: Serves as the Easton Community Center, offering rental space for civic groups, clubs, and events.
- The Little School: A preserved historic one-room schoolhouse on Station Road that hosts open houses as a local heritage site.
- Easton Historical Society: Houses a collection of community artifacts and records at the town hall.
- West Ridge Road Golf Course: Offers a local golf course and driving range.
- Easton ATV Club Trails: Manages approximately 125 miles of trails open to ATVs, side-by-sides, and dirt bikes.
The Easton Recreation Department organizes activities all year, including youth downhill skiing, soccer, baseball, swim lessons, track and field, and adult co-ed softball.
Annual Events
Community events take place throughout the year in Easton:
- Annual Town Meeting: Easton holds an open town meeting and election on the first Monday in April each year.
- Easton Field Days: A signature multi-day festival organized by the recreation department featuring a parade, sports tournaments, food, craft booths, and fireworks.
- Winter Carnival: An annual winter gathering hosted by the Easton Recreation Department and Recreation Committee.
- Easter Community Breakfast and Egg Hunt: An annual spring activity hosted by the recreation department.
- Christmas Gift Making: A recurring holiday program offered by the recreation department.
Transportation
Easton is located about 6 to 7 miles east of Presque Isle. U.S. Route 1A runs north-south through Easton, while Maine State Route 10 spans 9.28 miles between U.S. Route 1 in Presque Isle and U.S. Route 1A in Easton, following Center Road locally. The Aroostook Regional Transportation System (ARTS) provides public bus service with scheduled trips to Presque Isle on Wednesdays between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM. Regional commercial flights operate out of Presque Isle International Airport (PQI), 9 to 10 miles northwest of Easton. Within town, Russell Field Airport is a privately owned turf runway airport located on Mahany Road.
History of Easton
Henry Wilson, who had taught school in Presque Isle around 1847, became the earliest known settler in Easton when he built a home here in the early 1850s. Soon after, in 1855 and 1856, surveyor Noah Barker lotted the township into 160-acre parcels before the state opened the area for settlement. The community organized on July 26, 1856, as Fremont Plantation, named in honor of explorer and Republican presidential candidate Major General John C. Frémont. Early settlers helped pay for their land by clearing and constructing the road connecting Fort Fairfield to Blaine, which became passable for wagons in 1859. The settlement continued to grow, seeing its first commercial store open in 1863.
On February 24, 1865, the Maine Legislature officially incorporated Easton as a town. At its first town meeting that same year, the town raised $968.53 to support local schools, roads, and town charges, allowing taxes to be paid in grain or cedar shingles. Easton's early industry soon took shape as well, with a starch factory constructed in 1877, followed by a steam shingle mill built in 1879.
See the history facts and their sources in Quick facts below.
Quick facts
·
Population
- 2000 to 2010 Household and Population Shift
- Easton had 524 households with a median age of 40 years in 2000, rising to 536 households and a median age of 42.5 years in 2010.[1]
- 2010 Households
- At the 2010 census, Easton had 536 households and 352 families.[1]
- 2010 Median Age
- The median age of Easton residents was 42.5 years according to the 2010 census.[1]
- 2020 Census Population
- The town of Easton had a population of 1,320 at the 2020 census.[1]
- 2020 Census Population
- Easton had a total population of 1,320 residents as of the 2020 decennial census.[1]
- Median Age (ACS Estimate)
- According to the American Community Survey 5-year estimates profiled by Census Reporter, Easton's median age was estimated at 52.6 years.[2]
- Population Change (2010 to 2020)
- Easton's population increased from 1,287 residents at the 2010 census to 1,320 residents at the 2020 census.[1]
History (9)
- Early Industrial Processing
- A starch factory was constructed in Easton in 1877, followed by a steam shingle mill built in 1879.[1]
- Early Settler Road Construction
- Early settlers helped pay for their land by clearing and constructing the road connecting Fort Fairfield to Blaine, which became passable for wagons in 1859.[3]
- First Settler
- Henry Wilson, who had earlier taught school in Presque Isle around 1847, is recorded as the earliest known settler in Easton, building a home there in the early 1850s.[3]
- First Store
- The first commercial store in Easton opened in 1863.[1]
- First Town Meeting and Taxes
- At its first town meeting in 1865, Easton raised $968.53 to support local schools, roads, and town charges, with taxes payable in grain or cedar shingles.[3]
- Fremont Plantation Organization
- Before its incorporation, the settlement was organized on July 26, 1856, as Fremont Plantation, named in honor of explorer and Republican presidential candidate Major General John C. Frémont.[3]
- Incorporation
- Easton was officially incorporated as a town by proclamation of the Maine Legislature on February 24, 1865.[4]
- Incorporation Date
- The Maine Legislature officially incorporated the Town of Easton on February 24, 1865.[3]
- Survey and Lotting
- In 1855 and 1856, surveyor Noah Barker lotted the township into 160-acre parcels before the state opened the area for settlement.[3]
Government (8)
- Board of Selectmen Leadership
- The Board of Selectmen is Easton's five-member governing body, led by Chairman Bruce Flewelling and Vice Chairman Scott Allen.[5]
- Form of Government
- The Town of Easton operates under a Selectman-Manager form of government, combining an elected Board of Selectmen with an appointed Town Manager, alongside an Annual Town Meeting as its legislative body.[6]
- Town Clerk
- Heidi Burtt serves as the Town Clerk for the Town of Easton.[7]
- Town Manager
- Cheryl J. Clark serves as the Town Manager and chief administrative officer of Easton.[6]
- Town Office Hours
- The Town Office is open Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM; Tuesday from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM; and Friday from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM, with a daily closure for lunch from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM.[7]
- Town Office Mailing Address
- The mailing address for the Town of Easton is P.O. Box 127, Easton, Maine 04740.[7]
- Town Office Phone Number
- The phone number for the Easton Town Office is (207) 488-6652.[7]
- Town Office Physical Address
- The Easton Town Office is located at 80 Center Road, Easton, ME 04740.[7]
Schools (4)
- Community Early Education Partnership
- The Easton School Department and the Town of Easton partnered with the Aroostook County Action Program (ACAP) to introduce a comprehensive community school model and expand childcare and early education services at Easton Elementary School.[8]
- Easton Elementary School
- Easton Elementary School is located at 33 Bangor Road in Easton and serves elementary students in the town.[9]
- Easton Junior/Senior High School
- Easton Jr./Sr. High School is located at 173 Center Road in Easton and serves the town's secondary students.[9]
- School District
- Public education in the town of Easton is administered by the Easton School Department, with district offices located at 33 Bangor Road in Easton.[10]
Economy (6)
- Core Economic Industries
- Agriculture and wood products are the foundational industries and lifeblood of Easton's local economy.[4]
- Easton School Department Employment
- The Easton School System serves as one of the community's major employers alongside agricultural and natural resource enterprises.[11]
- Huber Engineered Woods Plant
- Huber Engineered Woods operates an engineered wood manufacturing plant in Easton producing oriented strand board products such as flooring and sheathing.[12]
- Industrial Tax Base Contribution
- McCain Foods and Huber Engineered Woods serve as the economic engines of Easton, historically providing roughly 80 percent of the town's local tax base.[13]
- McCain Foods Facility
- McCain Foods operates a major frozen potato processing facility in Easton, having acquired the site in 1976.[14]
- Town Property Tax Rate
- Following a revaluation of residential and industrial properties, the Town of Easton maintained a steady property tax mil rate of 17.4 for three consecutive years.[15]
Landmarks (4)
- Easton Historical Society Collection
- The Easton Historical Society maintains a local historical collection of community artifacts and records housed at the town hall.[16]
- Francis Malcolm Science Center
- Established in October 1983 through the legacy of Easton-born educator Francis M. Malcolm, the facility features northern Maine's northeasternmost planetarium theater, an observatory, and nature trails.[17]
- Odd Fellows' Hall / Easton Community Center
- The historic Odd Fellows' Hall serves as Easton's community center, providing municipal and community rental space for civic organizations, clubs, and local events.[18]
- The Little School
- The Little School on Station Road is a preserved historic one-room schoolhouse in Easton that is maintained as a local heritage site and host for open houses.[19]
Recreation (5)
- Easton ATV Club Trails
- The Easton ATV Club manages approximately 125 miles of local trails that accommodate ATVs, side-by-sides, and dirt bikes.[20]
- Easton Recreation Department Programs
- The Easton Recreation Department coordinates sports and outdoor recreation programs throughout the year, including youth downhill skiing, soccer, baseball, track and field, swim lessons, and adult co-ed softball.[21]
- Francis Malcolm Science Center Trails
- The Francis Malcolm Science Center on Houlton Road in Easton provides outdoor walking trails through groves of pine, spruce, and cedar trees.[22]
- Prestile Community Park Amenities
- Prestile Community Park in Easton features a pavilion with ADA-compliant restrooms and a kitchenette, playground equipment, canopied picnic areas, and grills.[23]
- West Ridge Road Golf Course
- West Ridge Road Golf Course in Easton offers a local golf course and driving range.[22]
Events (5)
- Annual Town Meeting
- Easton holds its annual town election and open town meeting on the first Monday in April each year.[24]
- Christmas Gift Making
- The Easton Recreation Department offers a recurring Christmas Gift Making event as part of its annual holiday programming.[21]
- Easter Community Breakfast and Egg Hunt
- The Easton Recreation Department hosts an annual Easter Community Breakfast and Egg Hunt.[21]
- Easton Field Days
- Easton Field Days is the town's signature multi-day community festival organized by the Easton Recreation Department, featuring sports tournaments, food, craft booths, a parade, and fireworks.[25]
- Winter Carnival
- The Easton Recreation Department and Recreation Committee host an annual Winter Carnival for community members.[26]
Culture (6)
- Amish Settlement and Culture
- Easton is home to a thriving Old Order Amish community that operates family-run farms, craft shops, greenhouses, and bakeries throughout the town.[27]
- Easton Community Library
- The town operates the Easton Community Library, which provides local public library access with regular open hours on Wednesdays and Saturdays.[28]
- Francis Malcolm Science Center
- Located in Easton, the Francis Malcolm Science Center serves as a community cultural and educational hub featuring a planetarium, natural history displays, and walking trails.[27]
- Historic Fremont Plantation Heritage
- Before its incorporation as Easton on February 24, 1865, the settlement was established as Fremont Plantation in 1856, named after explorer and Republican presidential candidate John C. Frémont.[29]
- Town Naming Heritage
- Easton derived its name from its geographic placement on the eastern boundary line of Aroostook County and the State of Maine.[29]
- Traditional Agricultural Tax Payment Custom
- During the early settlement of Easton in the 19th century, town taxes were frequently paid in agricultural goods such as grain or cedar shingles, which were accepted as local currency.[29]
Transportation (6)
- Commercial Airport Proximity
- Presque Isle International Airport (PQI), located in nearby Presque Isle approximately 9 to 10 miles northwest of Easton, provides regional commercial flight service.[30]
- Distance to Presque Isle
- Easton is located approximately 6 to 7 miles east of Presque Isle.[31]
- Local Aviation Facility
- Easton contains Russell Field Airport (FAA identifier 56ME), a privately owned turf runway airport located on Mahany Road.[30]
- Maine State Route 10
- Maine State Route 10 runs 9.28 miles between U.S. Route 1 in Presque Isle and U.S. Route 1A in Easton, locally traversing Center Road in Easton.[32]
- Public Transit Provider
- Aroostook Regional Transportation System (ARTS) provides public bus transit serving Easton, offering scheduled trips to in-town Presque Isle on Wednesdays between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM.[33]
- U.S. Route 1A in Easton
- U.S. Route 1A serves as a major north-south highway corridor passing through Easton.[34]
Services (5)
- Easton Community Library
- The Easton Community Library is open to the public on Wednesdays from 3:00 PM to 5:30 PM and Saturdays from 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM.[35]
- Easton Fire Department
- The Town of Easton maintains a municipal fire department to provide fire protection services to the community.[36]
- Easton Highway Department
- The Easton Highway Department oversees town-owned roads, handling snow removal, ice control, paving, culvert installation, ditching, and municipal vehicle maintenance.[37]
- Police Coverage
- Law enforcement services for the town of Easton are provided by external agencies including the Aroostook County Sheriff's Office and the Maine State Police.[38]
- Regional Hospital and Ambulance Services
- Emergency medical and hospital care for the Easton community is accessed regionally through providers including Crown Ambulance, The Aroostook Medical Center, and Cary Medical Center.[38]
Geography (7)
- Bordering communities
- Easton is bounded by Fort Fairfield to the north, Presque Isle to the west, Mars Hill to the south, and the Canadian province of New Brunswick to the east.[39]
- Elevation
- Easton has an elevation of 814 feet above sea level.[40]
- Local lakes and ponds
- Easton contains several small lakes and ponds, including Delano Lake, Hersom Lake, and Brown Lake.[41]
- Local streams and watercourses
- The eastern and southeastern parts of the town are drained by the River de Chute, while the western area is drained by Presque Isle Stream.[39]
- Location within Aroostook County
- Easton is situated along the eastern border of Aroostook County, Maine, adjacent to the international boundary with Canada.[39]
- Total Area
- Easton covers a total area of 38.93 square miles, of which 38.71 square miles is land and 0.22 square miles is water.[1]
- ZIP Code
- The Town of Easton is served by ZIP code 04740.[42]
Businesses in Easton
Map of Easton
Nearby communities
All communities in The County
St. John Valley
Central Aroostook
Southern Aroostook
Sources (42)
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