Category: R

  • Roxbury, Maine

    📍 Location & Geography

    Roxbury is a town located in Oxford County, in the state of Maine. It is nestled in the western part of the state, surrounded by picturesque landscapes and natural beauty. The town covers a total area of 41.55 square miles, of which 41.12 square miles is land and 0.43 square miles is water. The town is characterized by its rolling hills and beautiful lakes, including Roxbury Pond, which is a popular destination for both residents and visitors.

    🌎 Coordinates

    Roxbury is geographically located at 44°36′30″N latitude and 70°34′12″W longitude.

    🗺️ Region & Area

    Roxbury is part of the New England region in the northeastern United States. It falls under the jurisdiction of Oxford County in the state of Maine. The town is relatively small, covering an area of 41.55 square miles.

    👥 Population & Demographics

    As per the 2010 census, Roxbury had a population of 369 residents. The town has a predominantly white population, with a small percentage of other races. The median age of the residents is around 45 years. The town has a slightly higher male population compared to females.

    🏛️ History

    Roxbury was incorporated as a town on March 17, 1835. The town was named after Roxbury, Massachusetts, which was the hometown of some of the early settlers. The town has a rich history of mining, with various minerals such as mica, feldspar, and beryl being mined in the area. The mining industry played a significant role in the town’s development and growth.

    🏞️ Nature & Environment

    Roxbury is known for its stunning natural beauty. The town is home to several lakes and ponds, including Roxbury Pond, which is a popular spot for fishing and boating. The area is also rich in wildlife, with deer, moose, and various bird species being common sights. The town is surrounded by lush forests, making it a great place for hiking and nature walks.

    🏫 Education

    Roxbury falls under the jurisdiction of the Maine School Administrative District 44. While there are no schools located directly within the town, students from Roxbury attend schools in nearby towns, including Dirigo High School in Dixfield.

    🚧 Transportation

    Roxbury is served by state routes 17 and 120. The town is relatively rural, so personal vehicles are the most common mode of transportation. The nearest major airport is Portland International Jetport, which is approximately 90 miles away.

    📜 Trivia & Events

    Roxbury hosts an annual event known as the Roxbury ATV Riders Club’s “ATV-UTV Charity Pull and Pig Roast” which attracts visitors from all over the region. The event includes a charity pull, a pig roast, and other fun activities. The town is also known for its historic mines, which were once a major source of minerals such as mica and feldspar.

  • Raymond, Maine

    📍 Location & Geography

    Raymond is a charming town located in Cumberland County, Maine, United States. It is nestled in the Sebago Lakes region and is surrounded by several bodies of water, including Sebago Lake, Panther Pond, Raymond Pond, and Crescent Lake. The town’s landscape is characterized by rolling hills, lush forests, and scenic waterways.

    🌎 Coordinates

    The geographical coordinates of Raymond, Maine are approximately 43.9014° N latitude and 70.4703° W longitude.

    🗺️ Region & Area

    Raymond is part of the Portland–South Portland–Biddeford, Maine Metropolitan Statistical Area. The town spans a total area of about 44.59 square miles (115.49 km²), of which, 34.28 square miles (88.79 km²) is land and 10.31 square miles (26.70 km²) is water, according to the United States Census Bureau.

    👥 Population & Demographics

    As of the 2010 census, Raymond had a population of approximately 4,436 residents. The population density was about 129.4 inhabitants per square mile (49.9/km²). The racial makeup of the town was predominantly White, with minor representations from other races. The median age in the town was around 44 years.

    🏛️ History

    Raymond was incorporated as a town on June 21, 1803. It was named after Captain William Raymond of Beverly, Massachusetts, an early settler. Raymond was originally a farming and fishing community, but with the development of the railroad in the 19th century, it became more industrialized, with factories producing goods such as shoes and ice tools.

    🏞️ Nature & Environment

    Raymond is known for its beautiful natural environment, with several lakes, ponds, and forests. It offers a variety of outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, hiking, and wildlife viewing. The town is home to the Morgan Meadow Wildlife Management Area, a 1,500-acre nature reserve that provides habitat for a variety of wildlife species.

    🏫 Education

    Raymond is served by the Regional School Unit 14 (RSU 14). The town has one elementary school, Raymond Elementary School, which serves students from kindergarten through fourth grade. For middle and high school, students attend Windham Middle School and Windham High School, located in the neighboring town of Windham.

    🚧 Transportation

    Raymond is accessible by road through U.S. Route 302, which runs through the town. The town is approximately 25 miles from Portland, Maine’s largest city, and about 18 miles from the Maine Turnpike (Interstate 95), providing easy access to other parts of the state and New England. The closest major airport is Portland International Jetport, located about 23 miles from Raymond.

    📜 Trivia & Events

    Every year, Raymond hosts a variety of community events, including the Raymond Village Library Summer Reading Program, the Raymond Rattlers Snowmobile Club events, and the annual Fourth of July parade. One interesting fact about Raymond is that it was the birthplace of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s mother, Elizabeth Clarke Manning Hawthorne.

  • Rye Beach, New Hampshire

    📍 Location & Geography

    Rye Beach is a small coastal community located in the town of Rye, in Rockingham County, New Hampshire, United States. The community is situated along the Atlantic Ocean, offering picturesque views and a serene atmosphere. The geographical features of Rye Beach include sandy shores, rocky cliffs, and lush greenery, providing a diverse landscape for residents and visitors alike.

    🌎 Coordinates

    The geographical coordinates of Rye Beach, New Hampshire are approximately 43.0 degrees North latitude and 70.7 degrees West longitude.

    🗺️ Region & Area

    Rye Beach is part of the larger town of Rye, which is located in the southeastern part of New Hampshire, in the New England region of the United States. The community is nestled along the coastline of the Atlantic Ocean, providing a maritime climate and a unique coastal ecosystem.

    👥 Population & Demographics

    As Rye Beach is a part of the town of Rye, it shares the same population and demographics. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the town of Rye had a population of approximately 5,300 as of 2020. The demographics of Rye are predominantly White, with a median age of around 50 years.

    🏛️ History

    Rye Beach has a rich history dating back to the 17th century. The town of Rye, including Rye Beach, was originally a part of Portsmouth, one of the earliest European settlements in New Hampshire. The town was incorporated as a separate entity in 1726. Rye Beach became a popular summer resort destination in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, attracting visitors with its beautiful beaches and grand hotels.

    🏞️ Nature & Environment

    Rye Beach is known for its stunning natural beauty. The community is home to several protected areas, including the Rye Harbor State Park and the Odiorne Point State Park. These parks offer opportunities for hiking, bird watching, and exploring tidal pools. The area’s maritime climate supports a diverse range of flora and fauna, including various seabird species and marine life.

    🏫 Education

    Education in Rye Beach is administered by the Rye School District, which serves the larger town of Rye. The district operates an elementary school and a junior high school. High school students typically attend Portsmouth High School in the nearby city of Portsmouth. There are also several private schools in the surrounding area.

    🚧 Transportation

    Transportation in Rye Beach primarily revolves around road networks, with Route 1A serving as the main thoroughfare through the community. The nearest major airport is the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, located about 50 miles to the west. Public transportation services are provided by the Cooperative Alliance for Seacoast Transportation (COAST), which operates bus routes in the region.

    📜 Trivia & Events

    Rye Beach hosts a number of community events throughout the year, most notably the annual Sand Sculpting Competition at Hampton Beach, which attracts artists from around the world. The community is also home to the historic Abenaqui Country Club, one of the oldest golf clubs in New Hampshire. In addition, Rye Beach was the summer home of poet Celia Thaxter, who was part of the late 19th-century literary and artistic circle known as the Isles of Shoals School.

  • Rye, New Hampshire

    📍 Location & Geography

    Rye is a town located in Rockingham County, in the U.S. state of New Hampshire. It is situated on the Atlantic coast and is the southernmost town in New Hampshire. The town is characterized by its scenic coastline and beautiful beaches, including Jenness Beach and Wallis Sands State Beach. The town also includes four of the nine islands known as the Isles of Shoals, which lie approximately 10 miles off the coast.

    🌎 Coordinates

    The geographical coordinates of Rye, New Hampshire, are approximately 43.0 degrees north latitude and 70.7 degrees west longitude.

    🗺️ Region & Area

    Rye is part of the Seacoast region of New Hampshire, a picturesque area known for its beautiful beaches and historic sites. The town covers an area of 35.5 square miles, of which 12.6 square miles is land and 22.9 square miles is water.

    👥 Population & Demographics

    As of the 2020 U.S. Census, the population of Rye was approximately 5,300. The town’s population is predominantly white, with a median age of 50 years. The gender distribution is roughly equal, with a slightly higher percentage of females.

    🏛️ History

    Rye was originally settled in 1623 and was incorporated as a town in 1726. It was initially a part of Portsmouth, one of the oldest towns in the U.S., and was known as Pannaway. The town was later renamed Rye in 1726 after Rye in Sussex, England, by English settlers. Rye has a rich maritime history and was once a popular destination for wealthy tourists during the Gilded Age.

    🏞️ Nature & Environment

    Rye is known for its stunning natural beauty. The town boasts several beautiful beaches, marshlands, and a diverse range of flora and fauna. The Odiorne Point State Park, located in Rye, is a popular destination for hiking, picnicking, and wildlife viewing. The park also houses the Seacoast Science Center, which offers environmental education programs and exhibits about the natural history of the region.

    🏫 Education

    Education in Rye is managed by the Rye School District, which operates two schools: Rye Elementary School and Rye Junior High School. For high school, students attend Portsmouth High School in the neighboring city of Portsmouth. The town is also in close proximity to several colleges and universities, including the University of New Hampshire.

    🚧 Transportation

    Transportation in Rye is primarily by car, with U.S. Route 1 serving as the town’s main thoroughfare. The town is approximately 60 miles north of Boston, Massachusetts, and is accessible via Interstate 95. The nearest airport is Portsmouth International Airport at Pease, located about 10 miles away.

    📜 Trivia & Events

    Rye is home to several annual events, including the Rye Farmers Market and the Rye Art Study Group’s annual art show. The town is also the setting for the novel “The Hotel New Hampshire” by John Irving. Notably, Rye was the site of the first recorded UFO abduction case in the U.S., involving Betty and Barney Hill in 1961.

  • Rollinsford, New Hampshire

    📍 Location & Geography

    Rollinsford is a small town located in Strafford County, in the U.S. state of New Hampshire. The town is situated along the Salmon Falls River, which forms the border between New Hampshire and Maine. The terrain of Rollinsford is characterized by rolling hills and a mix of both developed and undeveloped land.

    🌎 Coordinates

    The geographical coordinates of Rollinsford, New Hampshire are approximately 43.22 degrees North latitude and 70.83 degrees West longitude.

    🗺️ Region & Area

    Rollinsford is part of the Dover-Durham, NH-ME Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Boston-Worcester-Providence, MA-RI-NH-CT Combined Statistical Area. The town spans a total area of 7.8 square miles, of which 7.3 square miles is land and 0.5 square miles is water.

    👥 Population & Demographics

    As of the 2010 census, the population of Rollinsford was 2,527. The population is fairly evenly split between males and females, and the median age is 39.4 years. The racial makeup of the town is predominantly White, with smaller populations of African American, Native American, Asian, Hispanic, and other races.

    🏛️ History

    Rollinsford was incorporated in 1849, and its name was derived from the Rollins family, who were early settlers in the area. The town was originally part of Dover, one of the oldest and largest settlements in New Hampshire. The Salmon Falls River and its mills played a significant role in Rollinsford’s development, contributing to its growth as an industrial center during the 19th century.

    🏞️ Nature & Environment

    Rollinsford is home to a variety of natural features, including the Salmon Falls River and several small ponds. The town also boasts a number of parks and green spaces, offering opportunities for outdoor recreation such as hiking, fishing, and bird watching. The town takes pride in its efforts to preserve and protect its natural environment.

    🏫 Education

    Education in Rollinsford is managed by the Rollinsford School District. The town has one elementary school, Rollinsford Grade School, which serves students from kindergarten through sixth grade. For middle and high school, students attend the nearby Somersworth Middle School and Somersworth High School, as part of a tuition agreement with the neighboring city of Somersworth.

    🚧 Transportation

    The town of Rollinsford is located near several major highways, including Route 4 and Interstate 95, providing easy access to nearby cities such as Dover and Portsmouth. The closest airport is Portsmouth International Airport at Pease, located approximately 15 miles away. Public transportation in the area is provided by COAST, which operates bus routes throughout the Seacoast region.

    📜 Trivia & Events

    Rollinsford is home to the Colonel Paul Wentworth House, a historic site dating back to the 1700s. The town also hosts an annual event known as “Punkinfiddle”, a family festival that celebrates traditional skills, crafts, music, and more. Additionally, Rollinsford is known for its strong community spirit, with numerous local events and gatherings held throughout the year.