Bangor history

Foundation and First Settlers

The history of Bangor is deeply rooted in the past, when these lands were inhabited by the indigenous Penobscot people. The first European settler is considered to be Jacob Buswell, who arrived here in 1769 and established a small settlement at the confluence of the Kenduskeag Stream and the Penobscot River.

The official incorporation of the town took place in 1791. According to local legend, the Reverend Seth Noble, who was sent to Boston to register the name "Sunbury," changed his mind at the last moment and named the town "Bangor" in honour of his favourite Welsh hymn melody.

Key Factors of Development

The transformation of a small settlement into a thriving city was predetermined by several important factors:

• Geography: Bangor is located at the head of the tide on the Penobscot River. This allowed seagoing vessels to enter the port, making the city a key transport hub.
• Natural Resources: The vast forests in the north of Maine provided the city with its main commodity — timber.
• Logistics: The river was used to float timber from the interior of the continent directly to the sawmills and ships in Bangor.

Early Economy: "The Lumber Capital of the World"

In the mid-19th century, Bangor experienced an incredible economic boom, earning the unofficial title of "The Lumber Capital of the World." The city became a centre of global timber trade, sending ships laden with wood to Europe, the Caribbean, and other regions.

The wealth generated from logging and shipbuilding greatly influenced the city's cultural appearance. Successful industrialists, the so-called "Lumber Barons," built luxurious mansions in Victorian and Greek Revival styles, many of which have survived to this day and create the unique atmosphere of the historic centre.

Major Historical Milestones

• 1769: Jacob Buswell becomes the first settler, building a log cabin at the confluence of the Penobscot and Kenduskeag rivers.
• 1791: The settlement is officially incorporated under the name Bangor, which, according to legend, was chosen by the pastor in honour of his favourite Welsh melody.
• 1814: During the War of 1812, British troops temporarily occupy the city, leading to significant economic losses.
• 1834: Bangor receives city status, reflecting its rapid growth and increasing political influence in the region.
• 1830–1880s: The heyday of the timber industry, when the port of Bangor becomes a world leader in lumber shipments.
• 1911: The "Great Fire" destroys hundreds of buildings, including the business district, library, and churches, forever changing the architectural look of the city.
• 1937: A famous FBI operation takes place on Central Street, during which the gang of gangster Al Brady was neutralized.
• 1942: Dow Air Force Base opens, becoming an important strategic facility.
• 1968: The military base closes, and its runway becomes the foundation for Bangor International Airport.
• 1980s: Author Stephen King purchases a Victorian-style mansion in Bangor, turning the city into a pilgrimage site for horror literature fans.
• 2002: The beginning of a large-scale reconstruction of the Penobscot River waterfront, transforming a former industrial zone into a picturesque park and concert venue.
• 2005: The first gaming facility in Maine opens in the city, contributing to the development of the tourism and entertainment industry.

Stages of Development and Their Significance for the City

The evolution of Bangor is a story of adaptation: from a logging giant to a modern transport and cultural hub of New England. Below are the key stages that defined the modern appearance of the city:

• The Era of "Lumber Barons" (Mid-19th Century)
  Significance: This period laid the financial foundation of the city. Huge revenues from timber exports allowed for the construction of a unique architectural ensemble, including the Broadway district with its luxurious mansions, which is today a hallmark of the city and attracts tourists.
• Urban Reconstruction After the Fire of 1911
  Significance: A catastrophic fire destroyed the wooden city centre but gave an impulse for modernization. Restoration was carried out using brick and stone according to new urban planning standards, which formed the current compact and stylistically cohesive historic centre.
• Conversion of Military Base to Civil Airport (1968)
  Significance: The closure of Dow Air Force Base threatened economic collapse, but city authorities successfully repurposed the infrastructure. The creation of Bangor International Airport allowed the city to remain a global transport hub and a centre for transatlantic flights, providing jobs and capital inflow.
• Becoming a Regional Retail and Service Centre (1970–1990s)
  Significance: The construction of large shopping malls (including Bangor Mall) and the development of a medical cluster turned the city into the main centre of attraction for residents of northern and eastern Maine, as well as border regions of Canada, shifting the economic structure from manufacturing to services.
• Waterfront Revitalization (Early 21st Century)
  Significance: Clearing the Penobscot River coastline of old industrial facilities and creating a park zone radically changed the urban environment. The appearance of the Maine Savings Amphitheater concert venue and the Cross Insurance Center arena secured Bangor's status as the cultural capital of the region.

Architectural Appearance and Urban Planning

The architecture of Bangor serves as a visual chronicle of its economic rise. The urban layout is clearly divided into zones: elite residential areas with luxurious residences from the lumber boom era and the business centre, completely rebuilt in the early 20th century. This mix creates a unique landscape where elegant New England architecture sits alongside the monumental stone of public buildings.

The Era of "Lumber Barons": 19th Century

The period when Bangor held the title of the world capital of logging left the city a rich heritage. Wealthy industrialists sought to demonstrate their status through the construction of mansions, many of which are preserved in the West Broadway Historic District.

• Greek Revival: Dominated in the first half of the 19th century. A striking example is the Isaac Farrar Mansion — the first significant brick building in the city, symbolizing the transition from temporary structures to permanent ones.
• Italianate Style and Second Empire: In the second half of the century, decorative forms and mansard roofs came into fashion. The famous house of writer Stephen King on West Broadway represents a classic example of an Italianate villa with elements of Victorian eclecticism.
• Shingle Style: A unique engineering and architectural monument is the Thomas Hill Standpipe water tower. This massive structure, clad in wooden shingles, dominates the city and is considered a masterpiece of industrial architecture.

Rebirth from the Ashes: Early 20th Century

The Great Fire of 1911 destroyed hundreds of buildings in the commercial centre, leading to a radical change in the urban planning paradigm. Dense wooden developments were replaced by wide streets and buildings made of brick and stone, designed to prevent future disasters.

• Beaux-Arts: This solemn style was chosen for key public facilities during the restoration of the centre. The Bangor Public Library with its majestic dome and columns is a benchmark of this direction, emphasizing the cultural ambitions of the city.
• Neoclassicism: The Penobscot County Courthouse and the old City Hall reflect a striving for strict, "eternal" classical forms characteristic of US administrative architecture of that era.

Modern Development

In the second half of the 20th century, the city expanded with modernist buildings in the airport area and shopping centres on the outskirts. However, the historic core of the city has preserved its authenticity, successfully integrating modern public spaces, such as the Penobscot River waterfront, into the existing architectural environment.

Famous Residents and Natives

Bangor has been the home or birthplace of many people who have left a noticeable mark on the history, politics, and culture of the USA. Below are key figures associated with the city.

• Hannibal Hamlin
  Politician, 15th Vice President of the United States
  A close associate of Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War. Hamlin lived and worked in Bangor for a long time, practicing law. His influence contributed to the growth of the city's political weight in the 19th century.
• Stephen King
  Writer, "The King of Horror"
  The most famous contemporary resident. King not only lives in Bangor but also actively participates in community life, funding libraries and stadiums. The city served as the prototype for the fictional Derry, the setting for many of his novels, including "It".
• William Cohen
  Statesman, US Secretary of Defense
  A native of Bangor who went from mayor of his hometown to senator and head of the Pentagon (1997–2001). Cohen is an example of a successful political career on a national scale that began in local government.
• Melville Fuller
  Jurist, 8th Chief Justice of the United States
  Began his professional career in Bangor as the editor of The Age newspaper and city solicitor. Later, he headed the country's highest judicial body and held this post for more than 20 years (1888–1910).
• Waldo Peirce
  Artist
  Born into a family of wealthy Bangor lumber industrialists. He became a famous Impressionist painter, whom contemporaries called the "American Renoir." He was a close friend of Ernest Hemingway and a prototype for characters in his books.
• Seth Noble
  Clergyman
  The first pastor of the settlement, who played a decisive role in its naming. In 1791, while in Boston to register the town, he unilaterally replaced the name "Sunbury" chosen by the residents with "Bangor" in honour of his favourite Welsh melody.