Limestone
A close-knit community rich in history and northern Maine charm.
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Limestone is an Aroostook County town located along the Canadian border with a population of 1,526. The municipal government operates from the town office at 93 Main Street. Outdoor spots in the community include the town-owned Trafton Lake Campground and Albert Michaud Park.
About Limestone, Maine
Limestone, Maine is a town located in Aroostook County. Caribou is located approximately 11 miles west of Limestone along Maine State Route 89. According to the 2020 Decennial Census, Limestone had a population of 1,526 residents, down from 2,314 in 2010. Census Reporter estimates there are 695 households in the town, and the median age is 45.3 years. Following the closure of Loring Air Force Base in the 1990s, the population dropped from 9,922 in 1990 to 1,526 in 2020.
Local Government
Limestone operates under a Town Meeting form of government, guided by a Town Manager and a Board of Selectpeople consisting of Randy Brooker, Stephen Brooker, Irma Labreck, Timothy Busse, and Troy O'Bar. Walt Elliott serves as the Interim Town Manager, Chelsea Elliott is the Town Clerk, and Cindy Tardy is the Town Treasurer. The Limestone Town Office is located at 93 Main Street, Limestone, ME 04750. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and the primary phone number is (207) 325-4704.
Schools and Education
Limestone Public Schools operates as an independent local school department governed by a five-member school board. Limestone Community School, located at 93 High Street, serves local students in grades pre-kindergarten through 8. For secondary education, Limestone high school students may choose to attend either Caribou High School or Fort Fairfield High School. Limestone is also home to the Maine School of Science and Mathematics (MSSM) at 95 High Street, a tuition-free public residential magnet high school serving grades 9 through 12 that serves as an educational and economic anchor for the community.
Local Economy
The median household income in Limestone is $49,938 according to Census Reporter data. Census Bureau estimates indicate the primary employment sectors for residents are Health Care and Social Assistance, Educational Services, and Public Administration. Much of the local commercial activity centers around Loring Commerce Centre, an industrial, commercial, and aviation park covering over 3,800 developed acres on the former air base site. The center hosts more than 25 commercial, industrial, and aviation tenants employing over 750 personnel. The Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS), which processes financial payments for the U.S. Department of Defense, employs nearly 600 workers at the center. The Loring Job Corps Center provides vocational and academic training programs and serves as an employer and educational facility. Additionally, the Taste of Maine Potato Chip Company broke ground on an 88,000-square-foot, $55 million manufacturing facility at Loring Commerce Centre to process locally grown Aroostook County potatoes.
Community Landmarks and Culture
Limestone features several community landmarks and cultural facilities:
- Robert A. Frost Memorial Library: Located on Main Street in downtown Limestone, the public library houses a dedicated collection of historical photographs and records documenting the scenes and history of the town.
- Loring Air Museum: Located at 161 Cupp Road at the Loring Commerce Centre, this museum preserves artifacts and history relating to the former air base and its personnel.
- Limestone-Caswell Historical Society: Located at 79 Access Highway, this museum facility was established in 1989 and hosts community traditions such as an open house, an apple pie contest, and an annual summer picnic.
- Church of the Advent: A local historical point of interest in Limestone.
Parks and Outdoor Recreation
Limestone offers several outdoor recreation sites and trail networks:
- Albert Michaud Memorial Park: Located in downtown Limestone, this park features playground equipment, adult exercise machines, athletic courts, picnic areas, and a walking path.
- Trafton Lake Campground: This town-owned campground offers 34 campsites, 10 tent sites, beach access, a children's park, hiking paths, and access to local ATV trails. Its 4.5-mile trail system through the forest accommodates hikers and bicyclists in summer and is groomed for Nordic skiing in winter.
- Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge: Located partly on the former base grounds in Limestone, the refuge provides opportunities for hiking, canoeing, nature viewing, and cross-country skiing.
- Limestone Country Club: Features a public 9-hole regulation-length golf course covering 3,355 yards.
- Trails: The Limestone Trail Hawks maintain approximately 18 miles of ATV trails in northern Maine. For winter recreation, snowmobile routes including the Arch Hangar and Border Trail connect directly to Maine's Interconnected Trail System (ITS 83).
Annual Events
Community events take place throughout the year in Limestone:
- Fourth of July Celebration: An extended multi-day event featuring a parade, fireworks, a classic car show, community barbecues, and the Duck 500 river race.
- LTA Land Speed Trials: The Loring Timing Association hosts summer racing on the former air base runway, bringing high-horsepower vehicles and motorcycles to town.
- Limestone Renaissance Faire: Held at Albert Michaud Memorial Park, featuring martial arts demonstrations, archery, merchants, and period musical ensembles.
- Community Trunk or Treat: An annual Halloween gathering for local children held in the Limestone Community School parking lot.
- Winter Fun Day: An annual family winter event sponsored by the local chamber with outdoor games, activities, and food.
- Limestone Christmas: A holiday gathering where families share hot chocolate and visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
History of Limestone
The town took its name from the significant natural limestone deposits found in the area. Early settlers included Benjamin Eastman, Barry McLaughlin, George A. Nourse, and General Mark Trafton, a veteran of the War of 1812 and former customs officer at Fort Fairfield who settled here in 1849. Limestone went on to be officially incorporated as a town in 1869, with records noting dates of February 26 and March 17 of that year.
Decades later, Loring Air Force Base, a major Strategic Air Command installation located near Limestone, officially closed on September 30, 1994. Following the closure of the air base, the Maine School of Science and Mathematics opened in Limestone in 1995.
See the history facts and their sources in Quick facts below.
Quick facts
·
Population
- 2010 to 2020 Population Change
- Limestone's population fell from 2,314 residents at the 2010 census to 1,526 residents at the 2020 census, representing a decline of 788 people (about 34%).[1]
- 2020 Census Population
- Limestone town had an official population of 1,526 according to the 2020 Decennial Census.[1]
- 2020 Decennial Census Population
- According to the 2020 U.S. Decennial Census, the town of Limestone had a total resident population of 1,526.[1]
- Households
- Census Reporter estimates there were 695 households in Limestone town based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.[2]
- Median Age
- The median age in Limestone is 45.3 years.[3]
- Post-Base Closure Population Decline
- Following the closure of Loring Air Force Base in the 1990s, Limestone's population dropped from 9,922 in 1990 to 1,526 in 2020, an 84.6 percent decrease.[4]
- Total population
- The town of Limestone has a population of 1,526 residents.[5]
History (7)
- Early settlers
- Among the early settlers of Limestone were Benjamin Eastman, Barry McLaughlin, General Mark Trafton, and George A. Nourse.[6]
- Founding of the Maine School of Science and Mathematics
- Following the closure of the air base, the Maine School of Science and Mathematics opened in Limestone in 1995.[7]
- Incorporation Date
- Limestone was officially incorporated as a town on March 17, 1869.[1]
- Incorporation date
- Limestone was officially incorporated as a town on February 26, 1869.[6]
- Loring Air Force Base closure
- Loring Air Force Base, a major Strategic Air Command installation located near Limestone, officially closed on September 30, 1994.[7]
- Name origin
- The town was named for the significant natural limestone deposits found in the area.[8]
- Settlement by General Mark Trafton
- General Mark Trafton, a veteran of the War of 1812 and former customs officer at Fort Fairfield, settled in Limestone in 1849.[8]
Government (9)
- Form of Government
- Limestone operates under the Town Meeting form of government, guided by a Board of Selectpeople and a Town Manager.[9]
- Interim Town Manager
- Walt Elliott serves as the Interim Town Manager.[10]
- Select People
- The town's governing Select People are Randy Brooker, Stephen Brooker, Irma Labreck, Timothy Busse, and Troy O'Bar.[11]
- Town Clerk
- Chelsea Elliott serves as the Town Clerk for Limestone.[10]
- Town office
- The Limestone town office is located at 93 Main Street.[12]
- Town Office Address
- The Limestone Town Office is located at 93 Main Street, Limestone, ME 04750.[12]
- Town Office Hours
- The Limestone Town Office is open to the public Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.[12]
- Town Office Phone Number
- The primary telephone number for the Limestone Town Office is (207) 325-4704.[12]
- Town Treasurer
- Cindy Tardy serves as the Town Treasurer.[10]
Schools (4)
- Local public school
- Limestone Community School, located at 93 High Street, serves local students in grades pre-kindergarten through 8.[13]
- School district structure
- Limestone Public Schools operates as an independent local school department governed by a five-member school board.[14]
- Secondary education arrangement
- High school students residing in Limestone may choose to attend either Caribou High School or Fort Fairfield High School for their secondary education.[15]
- State magnet school
- The Maine School of Science and Mathematics (MSSM), a tuition-free public residential magnet high school serving grades 9 through 12, is located at 95 High Street in Limestone.[16]
Economy (8)
- Agricultural Manufacturing Development
- In 2024, the Taste of Maine Potato Chip Company broke ground on an 88,000-square-foot, $55 million manufacturing facility at Loring Commerce Centre to process locally grown Aroostook County potatoes.[17]
- Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS)
- The Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS), which processes financial payments for the U.S. Department of Defense, has served as the largest employer at Loring Commerce Centre, employing nearly 600 workers.[18]
- Loring Commerce Centre Employment
- Loring Commerce Centre hosts more than 25 commercial, industrial, and aviation tenants that collectively employ over 750 personnel.[19]
- Loring Commerce Centre Scale
- Following the 1994 closure of Loring Air Force Base, the site was redeveloped into Loring Commerce Centre, an industrial, commercial, and aviation park covering over 3,800 developed acres.[19]
- Loring Job Corps Center
- Located on the former air base grounds, the Loring Job Corps Center provides vocational and academic training programs and serves as a notable employer and regional educational facility in Limestone.[20]
- Maine School of Science and Mathematics
- Limestone is home to the Maine School of Science and Mathematics (MSSM), a public, tuition-free magnet residential high school that serves as an educational and economic anchor for the community.[1]
- Top Employment Sectors
- According to U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey estimates, the primary employment sectors for Limestone residents are Health Care and Social Assistance, Educational Services, and Public Administration.[21]
- Town Median Household Income
- According to U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey data reported by Census Reporter, the median household income in Limestone town was $49,938.[2]
Landmarks (4)
- Former Loring Air Force Base Site
- Opened near Limestone in the 1950s as a Strategic Air Command base and closed in September 1994, the former installation has been repurposed into the Loring Commerce Centre and the Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge.[1]
- Limestone-Caswell Historical Society
- Established in 1989, the Limestone-Caswell Historical Society maintains a museum facility located at 79 Access Highway in Limestone.[22]
- Loring Air Museum
- Located at 161 Cupp Road on the grounds of the former Loring Air Force Base in Limestone, the museum preserves the history and artifacts of the base and the personnel who served there.[23]
- Robert A. Frost Memorial Library Historical Collection
- The public library in Limestone houses a dedicated collection of historical photographs and records documenting the history and scenes of the town.[24]
Recreation (8)
- Albert Michaud Memorial Park
- Albert Michaud Memorial Park in downtown Limestone features children's playground equipment, adult exercise machines, a walking path, picnic areas, and athletic courts.[25]
- Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge
- Located partly on the former Loring Air Force Base in Limestone, the Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge offers opportunities for hiking, canoeing, nature viewing, and cross-country skiing.[23]
- Limestone Country Club
- Limestone Country Club features a public 9-hole regulation-length golf course covering 3,355 yards.[26]
- Limestone Trail Hawks ATV Trails
- The Limestone Trail Hawks maintain approximately 18 miles of ATV trails in the northern region of Maine.[27]
- Local park
- Albert Michaud Park & Playground serves as a local recreational facility for the town.[28]
- Snowmobile Trails
- Limestone features snowmobile routes including the Arch Hangar and Border Trail, providing direct access to Maine's Interconnected Trail System (ITS 83).[29]
- Trafton Lake Campground
- The town-owned Trafton Lake Campground features 34 campsites, 10 tent sites, a children's park, hiking paths, beach access, and access to local ATV trails.[30]
- Trafton Lake Trails
- The Trafton Lake trail system spans 4.5 miles through the forest, serving hikers and bicyclists in summer and groomed for Nordic skiing during winter.[23]
Events (6)
- Annual 4th of July Celebration
- Limestone hosts an extended multi-day Fourth of July celebration featuring fireworks, a classic car show, a parade, community barbecues, and the Duck 500 river race.[31]
- Community Trunk or Treat
- Limestone hosts an annual Halloween Trunk or Treat gathering for local children held in the Limestone Community School parking lot.[32]
- Limestone Christmas
- Limestone Christmas is an annual holiday event where local families gather to enjoy hot chocolate and visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus.[32]
- Limestone Renaissance Faire
- The community hosts the recurring Limestone Renaissance Faire at Albert Michaud Memorial Park, featuring martial arts demonstrations, archery, merchants, and period musical ensembles.[33]
- LTA Land Speed Trials
- The Loring Timing Association hosts summer Land Speed Trials in Limestone, bringing high-horsepower vehicles and motorcycles to race on the runway of the former Loring Air Force Base.[34]
- Winter Fun Day
- Winter Fun Day is an annual family-oriented winter event sponsored by the local chamber featuring outdoor games, activities, and food.[32]
Culture (6)
- Annual community events and traditions
- The Limestone-Caswell Historical Society hosts community traditions including an open house, an apple pie contest, and an annual summer picnic.[35]
- Historic churches
- The Church of the Advent is noted as a local historical point of interest in Limestone.[29]
- Limestone-Caswell Historical Society
- The Limestone-Caswell Historical Society was established in 1989 and operates a local museum on Access Highway.[35]
- Loring Air Museum
- Limestone hosts the Loring Air Museum at the Loring Commerce Centre, dedicated to preserving the history and heritage of the former Loring Air Force Base.[29]
- Town incorporation and agricultural heritage
- Limestone was incorporated as a town in 1869, with its historical identity rooted in potato farming and timber.[1]
- Town public library
- Limestone is served by the Robert A. Frost Memorial Library, located on Main Street in downtown Limestone.[36]
Transportation (6)
- Distance to Caribou
- Caribou is located approximately 11 miles west of Limestone along Maine State Route 89.[37]
- Distance to Presque Isle
- Presque Isle is located approximately 22 road miles southwest of Limestone.[38]
- Local Aviation Facility
- The town is home to Loring International Airport (FAA LID: ME16), situated at the former Loring Air Force Base.[39]
- Primary Highway Routes
- Limestone is served by Maine State Route 89, which connects the town to Caribou to the west, as well as State Route 229 and U.S. Route 1A.[40]
- Regional Public Transit
- Public transit throughout Aroostook County, including service connecting communities such as Caribou and Presque Isle, is provided by the Aroostook Regional Transportation System (ARTS).[41]
- State Route 229 Border Connection
- State Route 229 connects the center of Limestone eastward to the Canada–United States border at the Limestone–Gillespie Portage border crossing.[42]
Services (4)
- Police Coverage Transition
- Limestone residents voted in April 2023 to disband the town's municipal police department due to persistent staffing shortages, transferring law enforcement coverage to the Aroostook County Sheriff's Office and the Maine State Police.[43]
- Public Library
- The town public library is the Robert A. Frost Memorial Library, located at 42 Main Street in Limestone.[44]
- Public Works Department
- Limestone's Public Works Department handles highway and infrastructure maintenance, operating out of the town municipal facilities at 93 Main Street.[45]
- Volunteer Fire Department
- Fire protection in Limestone is provided by the Limestone Volunteer Fire Department, headquartered at 155 Main Street.[46]
Geography (11)
- Border location
- Limestone is situated in Aroostook County adjoining the Canadian border.[5]
- County Location
- Limestone is an incorporated town situated in eastern Aroostook County, Maine, along the Canada–United States border.[1]
- Elevation
- The town of Limestone has an elevation of 746 feet above sea level according to University of Maine Cooperative Extension records, with the town center at approximately 699 feet.[47]
- Land and Water Area
- Limestone encompasses 40.49 square miles of land and 0.30 square miles of water.[1]
- Local Bodies of Water
- Streams and brooks flowing through the town include Limestone Stream, Greenlaw Brook, Webster Brook, Noyes Brook, and Butterfield Brook.[48]
- Northern Boundary
- Limestone borders the town of Caswell and the unorganized township of Connor to the north and northwest.[49]
- Postal ZIP Code
- The town of Limestone is served by ZIP code 04750.[50]
- Southern Boundary
- Limestone shares a boundary to the south with the town of Fort Fairfield.[49]
- Total Area
- According to the United States Census Bureau, the town of Limestone has a total area of 40.79 square miles (105.65 km²).[1]
- Total Area
- The town covers a total area of 40.79 square miles, consisting of 40.49 square miles of land and 0.30 square miles of water.[1]
- Western Boundary
- Limestone borders the city of Caribou to its west.[51]
Businesses in Limestone
Map of Limestone
Nearby communities
All communities in The County
St. John Valley
Central Aroostook
Southern Aroostook
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