Augusta, << aw GUHS tuh >> (pop. 18,899), is the capital of Maine. It lies on both sides of the Kennebec River in the central part of the state (see Kennebec River ).
Augusta’s major buildings include the State Capitol and other state buildings; the Maine State Library; the governor’s residence, called Blaine House; and Old Fort Western, a restored colonial-era fort. The University of Maine has a campus in Augusta. The state government is the city’s largest employer. Other employers include health care services and utility companies.
In 1628, Pilgrims from Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts established a trading post on the site of Augusta, then an Indian village called Cushnoc. Beginning in the 1660’s, Indian wars brought trade in the area to a halt. Fort Western was built on the site of the old trading post in 1754. The settlements that grew up around the fort were then part of the present town of Hallowell. In 1797, Augusta became a separate town. It replaced Portland as the capital of Maine in 1832 because of its more central location. Augusta has a council-manager form of government. It is the seat of Kennebec County.
See also Maine .
