Belfast, Maine, USA
1854 - Belfast

Belfast, a seaport, port of entry, and seat of justice of Waldo county, Maine, at the head of Penobscot bay. It is 30 miles from the ocean, 30 miles S. from Bangor, 109 miles E.N. E. from Portland, and 125 miles W. S. W. from Eastport. On the opposite side of the bay, 9 miles distant, is Castine. It is irregularly built, but has a pleasant situation on the side of a hill. The Passaggassassawakeag river, a small stream, passes nearly through its centre, dividing it into two parts. It is extensively engaged in foreign commerce, in the coast trade, and in the fisheries. The harbor, which is rarely obstructed with ice, is spacious, well protected, and of sufficient depth for vessels of the largest class. During the winter season it is the centre of a large portion of the trade of the Penobscot valley, the river above being frozen. Lumber and fish are the principal exports. Ship-building is extensively carried on. Thirty vessels, (7 of them ships,) with an aggregate burden of 6803 tons, were admeasured during the year ending June 30th, 1852. The shipping of the port at this date amounted to 15,315 tons registered, and 36,729 tons enrolled and licensed, making the total burden 52,044 tons. A court house has recently been built in the place, and a jail is now in process of erection. Belfast also contains a number of churches, a bank, 2 newspaper offices, and several tanneries. Population of the township, 1830, 3077 ; 1840, 4186; 1850, 6051.


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.

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