History of Bath, Maine, USA

1781 - Bath formed from a part of Georgetown

maineanencyclopedia.com/ georgetown/

1833 - Bath Iron Foundry established on the Kennebec River

http://maineanencyclopedia.com/

1839 - Bath
Bath, Maine
In the county of Lincoln, is situated on the west bank of Kennebec river, 12 miles from the sea, 32 N.E. of Portland, and 31 S. from Augusta. It is bounded E. by Kennebec river, S. by Phipsburg, W. by New Meadows river and Brunswick, and N. by Merrymeeting bay. Population, in 1830, 3,773; in 1835, 4,200; and in 1837, 4,523. Incorporated, 1780. An attempt was made by a missionary to settle this place, and preach to the fishermen, as early as 1670. But the Indians would not permit it. A permanent settlement was made in 1756. The principal business of Bath is commerce, trade and ship-building, for which it is admirably located. There belonged to this port in 1835, 26 ships, 32 brigs, 54 schooners, and smaller vessels. Tonnage of the district of Bath, including the waters of Kennebec river, in 1837, 41,728 tons. Total number of vessels belonging to the district of Bath, in 1835, 37 ships, 94 brigs, 195 schooners, 10 sloops, and 1 steam-boat. Total, 337. The harbor of Bath is... Read MORE...

On June 14, 1847 Bath was incorporated as a city

http://maineanencyclopedia.com/bath/

1854 - Bath
Bath, a city and port of entry of Lincoln county, Maine, on the right bank of Kennebec river, 16 miles from its mouth. By rail road it is 34 miles N. E. from Portland, 80 miles S. from Augusta, 111 miles N. E. from Boston. The city extends about 1 1/ 2 mile along the bank of the river, and nearly one mile back. The surface is rather uneven, sloping gradually towards the east. The streets are regular and generally intersect each other at right angles. With the exception of one or two localities, the place is not very compactly built. Many of the buildings are at considerable distances from each other, and are surrounded with spacious yards, ornamented with shade-trees and shrubbery. In the business of ship-building, Bath is surpassed only by New York, Boston, and Philadelphia. Forty-eight vessels, with an aggregate burden of 24.339 tons, were ad measured in the district during the year ending June 30th, 1852. Of these, 40 were ships, 6 brigs, and 3 schooners. This port also ranks the... Read MORE...

1854 - The Destructive Gate - Its Effects at the East.
...The depot at the Bath junction was blown over upon the track, and the telegraph wires were broken...

The New York Times
New York, New York
March 21, 1854

1859
BATH, a sea-port in Lincoln co., in the state of Maine, U. S., 37 m. S of Augusta, on the W bank of the Kennebec, 12 m. from the ocean. Pop. in 1801, 2,491; in 1840, 5,141. It is one of the principal commercial towns in Maine. The tonnage of the port in 1840 amounted to 64,035 tons. Steam-boats ply three-fourths of the year between Bath and Portland a Boston. Ship-building is an extensive business here.
A Gazetteer of the World: Or, Dictionary of Geographical Knowledge, Publisher A. Fullarton, 1859

Beginning in the 1860s, regular steamer service brought reliable transport to Bath, Portland, and Boston.

boothbayhistorical.org/ life-in-the-boothbay-region

1871 - 8 Year Journey
A lady in Bath, Maine, has just had returned to her by the Post-Office Department a letter which she mailed eight years and six months ago. It was covered with post-marks, but it is difficult to trace out its journeyings.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
January 14, 1871

1873 - BATH: DROWNED.
Bath, Me., Sept. 15. While schooner London of Eastport, John Cassidy, master, lumber loaded, was coming through Merrymeeting Bay last night, she grounded on the shoals, and the captain and four others put off in the boat with a large kedge-anchor to haul the schooner into deep water, during which the boat was capsized, and the captain's brother, Kernard Cassidy of Calais, was drowned. His body was recovered and forwarded to Calais. He leaves a wife and seven children. Coming down the river today the schooner struck on Winslow's Rocks and is now full of water, lying at Sewall's wharf in this city.
Daily Kennebec Journal
Augusta, Maine
September 16, 1873

1884 - General Hyde renames Bath Iron Foundry as Bath Iron Works and incorporates company

http://maineanencyclopedia.com/

1889 - Bath
NEW ENGLAND had many a romance in its younger years, which amid the mystic glamour of a primeval period, would easily have developed into legend or myth or even epic song. But in no department of her life, perhaps, has there been more of romance and poetry than in the strugglings and voyagings of her sturdy sons upon the sea, of the old seaport towns of the New England coast; and few attained higher prestige or were more broadly typical of the restless, enterprising spirit which accomplished so many victories on the seas of the world, than Bath, Maine, and though the ardor of that spirit has been cooled, or turned into other directions by numerous reverses, there still lingers in the old city many memorials of the sea-faring days of the past. The old town sprung indeed from one of the most prominent shipping towns of New England, being settled in 1718 by Thomas Elkins from Salem, Mass., who came here with several other stout-hearted pioneers and founded the settlement in that year.... Read MORE...

1894 - Fire - BATH SUFFERED A HEAVY LOSS
About Half a Million Dollars' Damage by the Fire of Sunday.

BATH, Me., Jan. 29 - The fire in Bath yesterday was the worst the city had ever known. The heart of the business section lies in ruins. The loss closely approaches $500,000. A defective chimney in the stable office of the Sagadahoc House started the fire, and before the blaze was discovered the wooden stable building was in flames.

When the firemen arrived at the scene, they found the hydrants empty. Another break at New-Meadows in the main had cut off the water supply of the city. Portland, Lewistown, and Brunswick were appealed to for help, and sent special trains with fire engines. Four engines were stationed at the city landing and at the railroad wharf and took water from the river, but before water could be got from them the fire had gained great headway. Fortunately there was no wind.

An attempt was made to blow up the corner block opposite the Sagadahoc House, and thus check the fire, but before arrangements... Read MORE...

1894 - February 3 - 1st US steel sailing vessel, Dirigo, launched, Bath, Me

historyorb.com

1895 - Bath
Bath, a city, port of entry, and seat of justice of Sagadahoc, Me, is situated on the right bank of the Kennebec River, 12 miles from the ocean, 30 miles S. of Augusta, 36 miles N.E. of Portland, and 147 miles N.E. of Boston. The city extends about 2% miles along the bank of the river, and nearly 1 mile back. It is not laid out with any great regard to regularity. The site slopes gradually towards the E., and, being uneven, the streets are generally accommodated to its inequalities. The town is well built, and lighted by electricity. It has a first-class hotel, 5 national banks, 2 savings-banks, and 11 churches, 1 of which—the Central Congregational-cost about $30,000. The Beacon Street Methodist Church is also a handsome edifice. The schools are graded, and are among the very best in the state. The night-school is attended both by boys and by girls. One daily and 3 weekly newspapers are published in the city. In the business of shipping, Bath is surpassed by no city in the United... Read MORE...

1895 - BEATEN AND ROBBED. Joseph Stevens of Five Islands Has Rough Experience with Highwayman.
Bath – Nov. 27. – Joseph Stevens, 65 years old, a prominent citizen of Five Islands, was waylaid and robbed Tuesday in Georgetown. Stevens, who is a large and powerful man, fought desperately and was nearly murdered by his assailant. The highwayman used a club, by which he inflicted terrible wounds about the head of Stevens. Two bank books, a good watch, and a 38 were taken from Stevens. The robbery was committed at a lonely spot on the road between Riggsville and Five Islands and some distance from any dwelling.

Terribly beaten and partially stunned, Stevens with a great effort made his way to the home of a Mr. Hogan, where he gave an alarm. He was covered with blood and presented a horrible sight.

Stevens was in Bath yesterday, when he sold a lot of poultry, leaving for home by the Boothbay steamer. He landed at Riggsville to walk to his home, and had gone about 10 miles when attacked.

Robber Arrested and Confesses.
Bath – Nov. 27. - Frank Williams of Boothbay, is under... Read MORE...

1916
Bath, a city, port of entry, and seat of justice of Sagadahoc oo., Me., is situated on the right bank of the Kennebec River, 12 miles from the ocean, and on the Maine Central R., 30 miles S. of Augusta and 36 miles NE. of Portland. It is an important ship-building point of the United States and also a prominent commercial centre. The city owns considerable shipping and enjoys superior advantages for navigation, as the river here is seldom frozen in winter. The manufactures of the place are such as relate chiefly to ship-building, and include cordage- works, establishments for making ship-blocks, windlasses, and marine engines, etc. It has brass- and iron-foundries, machine-shops, and boiler-works. Bath has a soldiers' and sailors' orphans' home. It has steamboat communication with Portland, Augusta, and Boston. It was settled in 1756, and incorporated in 1780 (as a city, in 1850). Pop. in 1880. 7874 ; in 1890, 8723 ; in 1900, 10,477.
Lippincotts New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns, Resorts, Islands, Rivers, Mountains, Seas, Lakes, Etc., in Every Portion of the Globe, Part 1 Angelo Heilprin Louis Heilprin - January 1, 1916 J.B. Lippincott - Publisher

2023 - Here's a list of places to go and things to do in Bath, Maine:
Maine Maritime Museum: Start your visit by exploring the Maine Maritime Museum. It's a fantastic place to learn about the town's maritime heritage. You can explore historic ships, exhibits, and even take boat tours along the Kennebec River.

Bath Iron Works: If you're interested in shipbuilding and naval history, take a tour of the Bath Iron Works. This shipyard has been building Navy destroyers for over 130 years, and the tours offer a fascinating glimpse into the shipbuilding process.

Downtown Bath: Stroll through the charming downtown area, which is known for its well-preserved 19th-century architecture. You can visit local boutiques, art galleries, and enjoy a meal at one of the town's cozy restaurants.

Reid State Park: For outdoor enthusiasts, Reid State Park is a must-visit. It offers miles of sandy beaches, hiking trails, and picturesque picnic areas. It's a great place for swimming, sunbathing, and enjoying the natural beauty of Maine's coastline.

Doubling Point... Read MORE...