Augusta, Maine, USA
1854 - Augusta

Augusta, a city, seat of justice of Kennebec county, Maine, and capital of the state, at the head of sloop navigation, on the Kennebec river, 43 miles from its mouth by railroad. It is 60 miles N. N. E. from Port land, 65 miles S. W. from Bangor, and 105 N. N. E. from Boston. The city is situated principally on the right bank of the Kennebec river, which is here crossed by a bridge 520 feet long. A short distance westward from the river the ground suddenly rises to a considerable elevation, after which the ascent is very gradual. On this elevation are most of the residences and hotels. The business portion of the city is principally along the bank of the river under the hill. The state house, a noble structure of whitish granite, about half a mile south from the city, occupies an eminence commanding a wide and varied prospect. Immediately in front is a spacious park, handsomely adorned with walks and shade-trees. On the east side of the river is the United States Arsenal, surrounded with extensive grounds, tastefully laid out and enclosed by a neat iron fence. The arsenal contains about 2000 stand of arms, besides cannon and other munitions of war. The hospital for the insane, on tho same side of the river, occupies an elevated position, overlooking a landscape of almost unrivalled beauty. Four or five newspapers are published in Augusta. The city contains a flourishing female academy, several manufactories, a number of hotels, 3 banks, and 9 or 10 churches of various denominations. A dam, 684 feet in length, has been constructed across the Kennebec, about half a mile N. of the city, for the purpose of improving the navigation of the river above. A vast hydraulic power has thus been created, which is extensively employed for manufacturing purposes. A steamboat plies daily on the river above the dam, between Waterville and this city. The railroad connecting Port land with Bangor passes through Augusta. It was settled in 1771, and incorporated as a town in 1797. Population in 1830, 3980; 1840, 5314; 1850, 8231; in 1853, about 9500.

A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.

Visit Augusta, Maine, USA
Discover the people who lived there, the places they visited and the stories they shared.