History of Bangor, Maine, USA

1791 - Bangor, Maine founded

wikipedia.org

1812 - Bangor fire
During the War of 1812, the British forged up the Penobscot River, shelled the community, and ignited a disastrous fire virtually destroying it.
http://maineanencyclopedia.com/bangor/

In 1834, the 264-acre Mount Hope Cemetery was established in Bangor

http://maineanencyclopedia.com/bangor/

1839 - Bangor
Bangor, Maine
This is the chief town of Penobscot county. It lies in N. lat. 44° 47' 50"., W. long. 68° 47'. It lies 66 miles E.N.E. from Augusta, 120 N.E. by E. from Portland, 230 N.E. from Boston, Mass., 115 S. from Eastport, and 675 N.E. from Washington. The first settlement in this place, by the whites, was made in the winter of 1769–1770. In 1772, the Plantation, Kenduskeag, as it was then called, consisted of twelve families. In 1790 the population of Bangor was 169; in 1800, 277; in 1810, 850; in 1820, 1,221; in 1830, 2,868, and in 1837, 9,201. This place is situated at the head of navigation on the west side of Penobscot river, 30 miles N. by E. from Belfast bay, 60 to Matawamkeag Point, 120 to Houlton, and about 60 miles from the open sea. The compact part of the population reside on both sides of Kenduskeag stream, about 190 yards in width at its mouth, over which are three bridges, and on which, at the feet of the falls, about a mile from the city, are numerous mills. The... Read MORE...

1854 - Bangor
Bangor, a city, port of entry, and seat of justice of Penobscot county, Maine, on the right bank of Penobscot river, about 60 miles from its mouth. It is 66 miles E. N. E. from Augusta, 116 W. from Eastport, 126 N. E. from Portland, 231 N. E. from Boston, and 661 miles N. E. from Washington. It is situated on both sides of the Kenduskeag river, which here enters the Penobscot This stream, about 190 yards wide, is crossed by several bridges, uniting the two parts of the city. A fall in the Kenduskeag, about a mile from its mouth, affords extensive water-power. A short dis tance above the city, a bridge 1820 feet long extends across the Penobscot, connecting Bangor with Orringford. The harbor, which is at and below the mouth of the Kenduskeag, is nearly 500 yards wide, and at high tide (the tide rises here 17 feet) is of sufficient depth for vessels of the largest sue. Bangor is one of the greatest lumber depots in the world. The great extent of country drained by the Penobscot and its... Read MORE...

1859
BANGOR, a town of Maine, U. S., the cap. of Penobscot co., on the W side of the Penobscot river, 60 m. from the ocean; in N lat. 44 48, W long. 68 47; 68 m. ENE of Augusta, and 230 m. NE of Boston. Pop. in 1790, 169; in 1830, 2,868, in 1840, 8,627. It conducts and active commerce in lumber, employing upwards of 1,200 vessels, of about 100 tons each, in this trade. The harbor is formed in the mouth of the Kenduskeag, and the tide rises in it 17 ft.
A Gazetteer of the World: Or, Dictionary of Geographical Knowledge, Publisher A. Fullarton, 1859

1869 - Advertised her husband
Anna Wall has advertised her husband, at Bangor, Me, saying he had left her bed and board, and she refuses to pay his debts.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
June 19, 1869

1871 - Too Much Snow
Bangor, Me., has had eleven snow storms this season before Christmas.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
January 7, 1871

1871 - Snapped Like Threads
The Bangor (Me.) Whig reports that, owing to the intense cold, the wires of the Western Union Telegraph line, between that city and Lewiston, were recently broken in nearly fifty places. The wires were put up during the hot weather, last summer, and contracting with the cold, snapped like threads.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
January 14, 1871

1871 - RAILROAD ACCIDENT.
Bangor, Maine, August 9. - As a passenger train on the Maine Central Railway was entering the city tonight, the bridge over the Hampden Road gave way, causing a general smash-up, which killed one person outright and injured 30 others more or less seriously. The engine and a portion of the train went down, while the balance, consisting of a smoking car, three passenger coaches and one Pullman palace car, was tumbled into the streets of the the city.

The smoking car was plunged a distance of 25 feet into the street, followed by two of the passenger coaches, and all three were completely torn to pieces. The third coach plunged down the abyss, striking on its forward end and crushing it in, while the rear small number of passengers aboard. Many were dug out unhurt from the mass of debris to which the train had been reduced. The cause of the remained suspended on the broken timbers at an angle of 45 degrees.

WM. PERCIVAL, brakeman, was killed at his post on the front platform of the... Read MORE...

1872 - 90 Years in the Penobscot
A cannon recovered from the bed of the Penobscot, after being submerged for ninety years, was used to fire a salute at Bangor on Washington's birthday.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
March 16, 1872

1886 - Bangor
Bangor is situated in the southern part of Penobscot County, on the Penobscot River, about 60 miles from the sea and 30 from the head of the hay, and has a harbor deep enough to goat the largest vessels. It is 250 miles from Boston and 140 miles from Portland. It is the shire town and the only city in the county. It stretches along the bank for six miles, and has an area of about 20,000 acres. The surface of the town is generally uneven. The city proper Occupies the shores of the Kenduskeag and the western bank of the Penobscot at the junction of the two rivers. The latter river forms the south-western boundary, separating it from Brewer, while the course of the Kenduskeag through the town is from the North-North west.

The outcropping and underlying rocks are mostly slate. The soil is clavev loam, with small areas of gravelly loam, while there is generally a hard pan of clay ; so that much of the land is relieved of water only by thorough drainage. The water power of Bangor is a... Read MORE...

1889 - FOREST FIRES IN MAINE.
County Roads Impossible on Account of the Heat - Blazes Elsewhere.

Bangor, Me., Sept. 13. - It has now been more than a month since a single drop of rain fell in this section. Yesterday Bangor, which is miles from the center of the vast belt of forest fires now raging, felt their effect severely. The city was enveloped in a dense, heavy cloud of smoke, which found its way into the houses and left its odor everywhere. East of this city the outlook has grown more discouraging, especially along the line of the Maine Central and New Brunswick Railways. The forests are burning for miles on each side of the track and brakemen seek the roads are impassable on account of the heat. The thriving cities of Fredericton and Moncton, N. B., are surrounded by flames, and the people are fighting bravely to save their property.
The Sunday Inter Ocean
Chicago, Illinois
September 14, 1889

1890 - A HEAVY EXPLOSION. An Acre of Ground Covered by Debris from a Charcoal Pit.
There was a big blow out at the charcoal pit of Mr. Fred Cort, at Glenburn, Tuesday, and the air was full of debris for a short time. At the time of the explosion the pit was full of wood, which had been burning about an hour according to the process of making it into charcoal. Suddenly there was a loud explosion, and the wood pit and everything in the vicinity went into the air. The cause of the explosion is supposed to be the gas which had collected and suddenly expanded being unable to find its way out of the vent hole which however, was open. The force of the explosion may be judged from the fact that the debris was scattered over nearly and acre of ground while the big, heavy iron door of the pit was thrown twenty rods. Mr. George Richards was tending the pit at the time and had a remarkable escape from injury. When the explosion occurred he was standing near the door with a hoe in his hand. The door struck him a heavy blow, but he was so near that he did not receive its full... Read MORE...

1894 - HOTEL GUESTS INJURED IN A FIRE. PEOPLE IN THE MERCHANTS' HOTEL IN BANGOR JUMPED FROM WINDOWS.
Bangor, Me., April 18. - Fire started in the Merchants' Hotel at 1:30 o'clock this morning. The flames went up through the four stories to the roof very quickly. The guests were panic stricken and many jumped from the windows. Seven were injured.

F. W. SAVAGE of this city, a commercial traveler, jumped from a third-story window and was seriously injured about the back. KATE LAWLESS jumped from a second-story window and her arm was sprained. THERESA TRAVERSE, employed at the hotel, also jumped from the second story, but was caught in the arms of firemen, and escaped with slight bruises.

P. H. KANE of Frankfort, a stonecutter, dropped upon the roof of a shed and thence to the ground. His hands and face were cut and he was burned about the face and hands. G. F. KANE of Machias jumped from the second story. His arm was sprained.

JOSEPH MORAN of New Haven, Conn., a book canvasser, jumped from a first-story window at the front of the building. His ankle was broken. H. J. BURNS of... Read MORE...

1895 - Bangor
Bangor, a city and port of entry, the capital of Penobscot co., Me., is pleasantly situated on the right bank of the Penobscot River, at the mouth of the Kenduskeag, about 60 miles from the ocean. By railroad it is 73 miles N.E. of Augusta, 138 miles N.E. of Portland, and 246 miles from Boston. Lat. 44° 48' N.; lon. 68° 47' W. It is on the Maine Central Railroad, and is the W. terminus of the European & North American Railway, which connects it with t. John in New Brunswick, and is also the N. terminus of the Bucksport & Bangor Railroad, the S.E. terminus of the Piscataquis Railroad, and the N.W. terminus of the Bangor and Bar Harbor Railroad. A bridge, about 1300 feet long, crossing the Penobscot River, connects Bangor with Brewer. Bangor is the third city in the state in population, being exceeded only by Portland and Lewiston. It is one of the greatest depots of lumber in the United States. It is the head of navigation on the Penobscot River, which traverses extensive forests of... Read MORE...

1896 - FIRE IN A BANGOR BLOCK.
A fire, apparently of incendiary origin, broke out in the brick block owned by J. P. Bass at the foot of Main street in Bangor, Me., Saturday evening. The flames started in a closet on the third story, where no one was in the habit of going. The loss is principally by water, the fire being extinguished before much damage had been done in that manner. The water soaked to the ground floor, occupied by J. P. Tucker’s dry good store and to other parts of the building. The adjoining store was also slightly damaged by water. The principal loss is in Tucker’s store, which cannot be estimated now. The origin of the fire was similar to other stairway fires, and it was probably set by a firebug.
Springfield Republican
Springfield, Massachusetts
January 20, 1896

1911 - BANGOR, ME., IS IN FLAMES. Greater Part of City Burned and Fire Still Raging. LOSS NEARLY $10,000,000
Two Persons Have Been Killed, Twenty Injured and Thousands Are Homeless - Mayor Proclaims Martial Law and Calls Out Troops.

Bangor, Me, May 1 - Damage already estimated at nearly $10,000,000 has been caused by a fire which broke out in Bacon & Robinson's coal sheds on Broad street Sunday afternoon. Thousands of people are walking the streets homeless. This morning the fire was not under control and the flames were sweeping northward toward Kenduskeag, carrying everything before them.

Two persons are known to have been killed and over twenty have been injured.

Electric lights are out of commission and trolley cars are completely stopped for lack of power.

Mayor Mullen has proclaimed martial law, called out the local company of militia of the national guard and telegraphed Governor Plaisted asking for more troops.

Everything north of York street, from Kenduskeag stream to the east side of Broadway, has been burned, and nearly all the fine residences in the most exclusive... Read MORE...

1916
Bangor, a city and port of entry, the capital of Penob scot co., Me., is pleasantly situated on the right bank of the Penobscot River, at the mouth of the Kenduskeag, about 60 miles from the ocean. It is on the Maine Central and the Bangor and Aroostook Rs., 138 miles NE. of Portland and 24« miles from Boston. Lat. 44° 48' N. ; Lon. 68° 47' W. A bridge about 1300 feet long, crowing the Penobscot River, connects Bangor with Brewer. Bangor is the third city in the state in population, being exceeded only by Portland and Lewiston. It is at the head of navigation on the Penobscot River, which traverses extensive forests of pine, cedar, spruce, and hemlock. Large steamboats and ships can ascend the river to this place, where the tide rises 17 feet. The Kenduskeag River affords abundant water-power, which is employed in numerous mills. Bangor has various foundries with machine-shops, furniture-factories, steam planing-, pulp-, paper- and woollen-mills, boot- and shoe- manufactories, etc. It ... Read MORE...

1953 - January 25 - WABI TV channel 5 in Bangor, ME (CBS) begins broadcasting

historyorb.com

Operation Alert 1955 - Bangor
On June 15, 1955, the city of Bangor briefly became a ghost town as it participated in a national civil defense exercise in which about fifty cities across the country were evacuated. Hospitals and public safety organizations assisted “victims” of a nuclear attack.
http://maineanencyclopedia.com/bangor/

2023 - Whether you're into outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or just want to unwind, here's a list of places to go and things to do in Bangor:
Stephen King's House:

Bangor is the hometown of the famous author Stephen King. Take a stroll or drive by his house on West Broadway. While you can't go inside, it's a must-see for any King fan.

Bangor Waterfront:

Enjoy a leisurely walk along the Bangor Waterfront. You can take in the beautiful views of the Penobscot River and catch various events and festivals that often take place here.

Bangor City Forest:

If you're a nature enthusiast, head to the Bangor City Forest. It offers a network of trails perfect for hiking, biking, or a peaceful walk surrounded by nature.

Penobscot River Walkway:

Explore the scenic Penobscot River Walkway, a picturesque path that winds along the river. It's a great spot for a relaxing stroll or a morning jog.

Bangor Historical Society and Thomas A. Hill House:

Delve into the city's history by visiting the Bangor Historical Society and the Thomas A. Hill House. You'll learn about Bangor's rich past and the people who shaped... Read MORE...