From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Scarborough is a town in Cumberland County on the southern coast of Maine. It is located about 7 miles south of Portland. As of the 2000 census the town has 16,970 people in 7244 households, and an area of 54 square miles. Since 1969 the town has used the council-manager form of government.
History
Early in the 17th century, John Stratton opened a trading post on Stratton Island, just off shore. Soon after the Massachusetts Bay Colony began expanding, he attracted settlers both to the island and the nearby mainland. On July 14, 1658 Massachusetts granted them a town charter as Scarboro. By 1676 the town had over a hundred houses. But then a series of Indian attacks killed many settlers and destroyed the town. After several attempts at rebuilding and more attacks, the survivors abandoned the site in 1680 and move to Portland or back to Boston.
Resettlement started in 1702, and this time several forts or blockhouses were built first. In spite of some attacks the second settlement succeeded, and by 1730 the area was prosperous. Cattle and timber were important local products for export, and available water power encourage the opening of several saw mills.
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