USA > Maine > A gazetteer of the United States, comprising a series of gazetteers of the several states and territories. Maine > Part 9
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The item of distances, in the foregoing Table, has given the Editor much trouble. In this case, as in others of more importance, we reluctantly find that which costs us the most labor and care, often proves the least satisfactory. We have consulted all the books containing the distances on our common roads, and find them to differ materially : even the Post-Office book, published at Washington under the direction of government, and which ought to be noted for its accuracy, is very imperfect. But in this case, as in all others, our works are always open for correction and amendment; and while we shall regret the discovery of errors in this or any other of our publications, we shall rejoice in the opportunity, afforded by our friends, of correcting them in future editions.
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Windham
Cumberland 1762
46
W. New Viney'd
1830.
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Description of principal Towns.
For population, distances, names of counties, &c., see Table of Towns and Post Villages. The shire towns of the several counties, with their distances from Boston, are inserted in the State and County Table.
Alfred.
This shire town of York county lies 24 miles N. from York, and 35 S. W. from Portland. It is bounded N. by Waterbo- rough, and E. by Lyman. It is a good farming town, and is well watered by the higher sources of Mousum river, which meets the sea at Kennebunk. In this town is a society of those neat and indns- trious horticulturists and artisans, deno- minated " Shakers."
Anson.
Anson is distant about 112 miles N. from Portland. It lies at the junction of Se- ven Mile Brook with the Kennebec, on the western side of that river. Here are fine farms and good husbandinen.
This town is bounded N. by Embden, and S. by Starks.
Augusta.
This delightful town, the CAPITAL of the state, and chief town of the county of Kennebec, is in N. lat. 44- 18' 439 and W. Ion. 692 50'. It lies 146 miles N. E. from Concord, N. II .; 182 E. N. E. from Montpelier, Vt .; 159 N. N. E from Boston, Mass .; 203 N. N. E. from Provi- dence, R. I .; 255 N. F. from Hartford, Ct .; and 590 miles N. E. from Washing- ton. Augusta is situated at the head of sloop navigation on Kennebec river, 43 miles from the sea. The town lies on both sides of the Kennebec, and contains an area of 8 by 6 miles. It was first set- tled in 1771, and incorporated in 1797. Its Indian name was Cushnoc. There was, in its early settlement, a fort and four block-houses built of timber, to af- ford protection to the inhabitants from the Indians, who were then very trouble- some. The fort was called Fort Western, and is still standing on the east bank of the river, and is now occupied as a dwell- ing-house. This is already a very flour- ishing town, not only in its agricultural pursuits, but in its commerce and mann- factures. The tonnage of the place is about 3000 tons. Its exports are lumber of all kinds, oats, peas, beans, hay, pota- toes, wool, cider, apples, &c. When the extent and resources of the noble Koude. bec and its tributaries, above tide- water, are considered, some idea may be formed of the vast quantity of Inmber that must pass this place on its way to market.
The Kennebec bridge, uniting the east
and west parts of the town, is a fine structure. It was built in 1799; is 520 feet in length, and cost $28,000. The town rises by an easy ascent on both sides of the river to a level surface ; it is well laid out, neatly built, and contains many handsome dwelling-houses, churches, county buildings, and an elegant build- ing for a high school. Many of the streets are decorated by trees, planted on each side; a striking evidence of the good taste of the inhabitants. See Pub- lic Buildings.
The above is a brief sketch of the pro- minent features of this beautiful and flour- ishing town,-such as it has become by the common efforts of an intelligent and enterprising people, joined to the natural advantages of the place.
But a new era is opened to Augusta. The mighty waters of the Kennebec have been arrested in their course. That proud stream which, for ages, has rolled its ra- pid current to the ocean, unimpeded by the devices of man, is destined for ages to come, to pay perpetual homage to Yan- kee perseverance and skill, and to lend its gigantic strength to aid the arts and sciences in supplying the wants of mil- lions.
Although Augusta enjoys the pleasure of seeing this noble enterprise accom- plished within its own borders, and by the energy of its own people ; yet im- provements of this character are by no means local in their effects. The bene- fits of this undertaking will be felt, not only in the valley of the Kennebec, but throughout the state.
The Kennebec dam was commenced in 1-36, by the Kennebec Locks and Canals Company, and completed in September, 1:37. The cost was about $300,000. It is about half a mile above the centre of the village.
The length of the dam, exclusive of the stoute abutments and lock, is 580 feet- the base, 127 feet-the height, 15 feet "above ordinary high-water mark. It is . built with cribs of timber, bolted and tre- naded strongly together, and is filled with ballast to the very top.
The canals on each side of the river are 50 feet wide in the clear, carrying 10 fort of water from the level of the top of the dam. The walls are 22 feet high, 71 ivet thick at the base, and five feet at the top.
During the progress of the work, and especially while the course of the river
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was contracted to a space of 17 feet wide by 24 deep, (a time peculiarly favorable for forming an estimate, and rarely offer- ed in a stream of this magnitude,) repeat- ed observations were made upon the velocity of the current, and at no time was there found a less quantity than 2500 cubic feet per second. It is proper to add that the seasons of 1836 and 1837 were both remarkable for the small quantity of water, running in all the streams in this vicinity.
The pond formed by this dam covers 1200 acres. It is 163 miles in length, and its average depth is 16 feet.
Augusta presents advantages for manu- facturing establishments, equal, it not su- perior to any in New England. It is located in the heart of a large and pow- erful state, rapidly increasing in popula- tion and wealth ; surrounded by a fertile country, rich in every necessary agricul- tural product, and stored with granite, clay, lumber, lime, iron ore-every build- ing material ; all of which are found near the spot, and at very low prices.
The facilities afforded at this place for transportation, are of inestimable value to a large manufacturing town. Cotton and other raw materials, and manufac- tured goods, may be transported by wa- ter, to and from the very doors of the mills. At no distant period, the great eastern railroad from Portland will pass through this town, in its course to Ban- gor. Steamboats pass from Augusta to Boston in 11 hours.
The greatest consideration, however, in regard to Augusta, as a manufacturing town, is its unfailing supply of water. The main branch of the Kennebec is the outlet of an immense lake, with numerous powerful tributaries, connected with oth- er lakes or large reservoirs of water. On its passage to Augusta, Dead river, Seven Mile Brook, the Sandy, Sebasticook, and many other less powerful streams pay their tribute to it. Indeed, all the waters of the extensive valley of the Kennebec, above the dam, meet at this place. It may be said with safety, that this place possesses a water-power amply sufficient to drive 200,000 spindles, day and night, throughout the year ; and an almost inex- haustible surplus power from November to July.
Much damage was done to this dam by a remarkable freshet which occurred in May, 1839. This noble work was repair- ed in 1840, and since that time lias resist- ed the most powerful freshets ever known on Kennebec river. A number of mills are already in operation at this place, and preparations are making for extensive manufacturing establishments.
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Bangor.
This is the chief town of Penobscot county. It lies in N. lat. 44º 47/ 50", W. lon. 68º 47'. It is 122 miles N. E. by E. from Portland, 115 S. from Eastport, and 670 N. E. from Washington. The first set- tlement 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 12 families. In 1790, the population of Bangor was 169; in 1800, 277; in 1810, 850; and in 1820, 1221. 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 Mattawamkeag Point, 120 S. E. from Houlton, and about 60 miles from the open sea. The compact part of the population resides on both sides of Kenduskeag stream, about 190 yards in width at its mouth, over which there are three bridges, and on which, at the foot of the falls, about a mile from the city, are numerous mills. The bridge across the Penobscot, 100 rods above the mouth of the Kenduskeag, is about 440 yards in length. It cost $50,000. The basin at and below the mouth of the Ken- duskeag, where the shipping lie to re- ceive their cargoes, is 90 rods in width, and affords good anchorage. The tide generally rises about 17 feet. Ship build- ing is extensively pursued at this place ; but commerce in lumber, of all the vari- ous kinds in use, is the principal occu- pation of the inhabitants. An immense amount of that article is annually rafted down the rivers, and transported to al- most all parts of the world. Bangor is the greatest depot for lumber on the con- tinent of America.
Within the limits of Bangor are about 50 mills, most of which are for sawing, and on the Penobscot river and its tribu- tary streams, above Bangor, are more than 250 saw mills, capable of cutting at least 200,000,000 feet of boards a year ; all of which, except what is used in build- ing, must be shipped at the harbor of Bangor. The value of the boards, tim- ber, clapboards, shingles, oars, scantling, wood, &c., shipped at this port, varies from a million to a million and a half of dollars, annually. About 1200 ves- sels of about 110 tons burden are annu- ally employed, during the season of navigation, in freighting lumber, timber, &c., to various places. There are be- longing to this place about 100 sail of coasting vessels; 50 engaged in foreign commerce, and about 40 other vessels engaged in the fisheries.
Bangor was incorporated as a town in 1791. In 1834 it became a city. Its gov- ernment is under a mayor and seven al-
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dermen, who constitute the upper board ; and twenty-one common council men, who, when they have elected a president, constitute the lower board. A city court sits every Monday.
The site of the city is pleasant, com- manding fine views of the rivers and the adjoining country. The buildings, both public and private, are constructed with neatness and taste, and some in a style of superior elegance. Conveyances for travellers from the city are frequent and comfortable, both by land and water. A railroad is in operation to Oldtown, 12 miles, and steamboats ply to and from Portland and Boston, during the season of navigation, which generally continues eight months in the year. The great eastern railroad from Portland will doubt- less reach this eastern city in a short time.
On the banks of the Penobscot, within the city, three miles above the mouth of the Kenduskeag, is what is called "Fort Hill," the site of a fortification supposed to be the ancient " Negas," destroyed by Capt. Heath, with a party of men, in 1725, who, it is said, " fell on a village of about 50 Indian houses, and committed them to the flames. The Indians be- coming alarmed, deserted them."
Bangor is on one of the noblest rivers in the Northern States - the product of an almost innumerable number of tribu- tary streams. Nature has seated Bangor at the natural outlet of these mighty wa- ters, as the mart of one of the most ex- tensive and richest basins east of the Ohio valley. In this section of country, the icy chains of winter are felt with greater force and for a longer period than in more southern climes ; but this seeming disad- vantage is more than compensated by the unrivalled purity of the air and water,- two of the indispensable requisitions of health and longevity. There is probably no portion of country in the world where the great staples of wheat, beef, and wool can be produced with greater factli- ty ; where surplus produce can find a market at less expense, or where the in- dustrious agriculturist can reap a more sure reward. Bangor must surely become a great mart of trade for the whole coun- try from the Atlantic to the Madawaska.
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Barnard.
This town lies about 40 miles N. N. W. from Bangor. It was formerly the west- ern part of Williamsburg. The land Is undulating, heavily wooded, with a fertile soil. In this town there are three quar- ries of roofing-slate, said to be fully equal in quality to that procured from Wales, and in quantity inexhaustible. Some of these slates are 6 feet wide, and 9 feet long, without defect, and answer well for
schw] slates. If Yankee enterprise is properly directed to the working of these quarries, it will not long be necessary to depend upon a foreign country for our roofing-slates. See page 35.
Bath.
Bath is situated on the W. bank of Ken- enbec river, 12 miles from the sea, and 23 N. E. of Portland. It is bounded E. by Kennebec river, S. by Phipsburg, W. by New Meadows river and Brunswick, and N. by Merry-meeting bay. An at- tempt 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. There are some im- portant manufactures at Bath; but its principal business is commerce, trade and ship building, for which it is admirably well located. Our tables give the amount of tonnage built in and belonging to the district of Bath, a large part of which is owned in this town. The harbor of Bath is seldom obstructed by ice. Regular lines of steamboats ply between this place and Portland and Boston, about three fourths of the year. Bath is becoming one of the most business places in Maine. It has a beautiful appearance from the river, and is a pleasant residence.
Belfast.
This is a port of entry, and beautifully situated on Belfast bay, on the W. side of Penobscot river. It lies 30 miles S. from Bangor, 30 N. from Thomaston, and across Belfast bay, 12 W. from Castine. The town was incorporated in 1773, but not permanently settled until about the year 17-5. There is considerable good land in Belfast. In 1837 it produced 3492 bush- els of as good wheat as ever grew on the prairies of the " boundless West." The Paasaggassawakeag river passes near the centre of the town, and adds much to the appearance of the place. The harbor is very good-it is guarded by Long and Sear's islands, and has anchorage for a great number of vessels of the largest class. The proximity of Belfast to the sea, its site in relation to Penobscot river, and its excellent harbor, which was never known to have been obstructed by ice, but twice, (17~0, 1815,) give it peculiar advantages for foreign commerce, the coasting trade, and the fisheries. Con- eiderable ship building is carried on at this place, and a large amount is owned here. The principal exports are lumber and fish. Belfast, although irregularly built, is a pleasant town, and is an impor- tant winter mart of the trade of l'enob- scot river.
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Bethel.
Bethel lies 61 miles N. W. from Port- land. This town is bounded N. by New- ry, and S. by Albany and Greenwood. This is a fine farming town.
Belgrade.
In this town are parts of three large and beautiful ponds or lakes, well stored with fish .. They are connected with eachı other, and find an outlet at Waterville. The scenery on the borders of these wa- ters is truly delightful. It lies 69 miles N. by E. from Portland. The village at Belgrade Mills, 6 miles from the centre of the town, and 16 miles from Augusta, is a very flourishing place.
Biddeford
Lies on the south side of Saco river, and is connected with the town of Saco by a bridge. The town extends down the river to the sea, and includes a point of land called " Fletcher's Neck," off which are several small islands; on one of which, Wood Island, is a revolving light. This is a good township for agricultural pursuits, the coasting trade, ship build- ing, and the fishery. Biddeford has a number of saw mills, and furnishes ex- cellent granite. It lies 15 miles S. W. from Portland. First permanently set- tled, 1630 See Saco.
Bingham.
The surface of this town is hilly ; and in the east part they rise almost to moun- tains. The principal settlement is in the west part, on the Kennebec river, which forms its western border, where is one of the most beautifully situated villages in the country. Most of the town is unset- tled, and still covered with timber. On the river, the soil is alluvial and exceed- ingly fertile. In the eastern part, it is hard and rocky.
In travelling over the Canada road, there is one of the most splendid prospects in this town any where to be found. About four miles south of the village, as he begins to descend towards the river, in the summer, the traveller has spread out before him a valley about five miles long and three iniles wide, under the highest state of cultivation, clothed in green and sprinkled with neat cottages and splendid elms, with the smoother surface of the Kennebec, disturbed now and then with slight rapids, flowing nearly through the centre of this beautiful amphitheatre, formed by surrounding hills." On the farther edge of this valley, at the foot of a high hill, he will see the village, with its white little church and neat cottages, reposing in the midst of fertility and
beauty. Beyond this, and on either hand, he will see mountains rising one above the other, until lost in the dim distance.
Bluehill.
This town lies at the head of a large bay of the same name, 12 miles east from Castine. The shore fishery is carried on here to some extent. There are several large ponds in Bluehill, and a hill of 960 feet in height, from which delightful ma- rine scenery is presented. The bay has Long and other islands inside ; and out- side, Burntcoat, and a group of smaller islands. Bluehill bay is connected with Penobscot bay and river by a passage be- tween the islands and main land, of about 12 miles in length.
Boothbay.
This town is bounded W. by the mouth of Sheepscot river, N. by Edgecomb, E. by Damariscotta river, and S. by the ocean. It is nearly surrounded by water, and is noted for its excellent liarbor, com- monly called Townsend harbor. Its mar- itime situation renders it a place of con- siderable business in the coasting trade and fisheries. It is 60 miles N. E. from Portland, and about 40 miles S. W. by W. from Owl's Head by water. Boothbay is a fine watering place, and many visit it, in summer months, for health or pleasure. Here may be found all the enjoyments of sea air and bathing ; fishing and fowling ; ocean and island scenery ; for which Na- hunt, in Massachusetts bay, is justly cele- brated.
Bowdoin.
This agricultural township is bounded on the E. by Bowdoinliam, and S. by Topsham. It is 37 miles N. N. E. from Portland.
Bowdoinham,
A pleasant town on the west side of Kennebec river, and north of Topsham. Here is considerable business in the luni- ber trade and ship building. It is 12 miles N. from Bath.
Brewer.
Brewer lies on the Penobscot river, op- posite to the city of Bangor. It was ta- ken from Orrington in 1812. It is watered by the Segeunkedunk, on which are mills of various kinds. Considerable quanti- ties of lumber, hay, potatoes, tanners' bark and wood, are annually exported from this town. A number of vessels is built at this place. The town was named in compliment to Col. John Brewer, one of the first settlers, from Worcester, MIs.
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The navigable privileges at this place are good.
Bridgeton
Is pleasantly situated on the border of Long pond, and near the head of naviga- tion to Portland, by the Cumberland and Oxford canal. The distance from this place to Portland, by navigable waters, is about 50 miles. Considerable leather is tanned here, and there are other manufac- tures. The soil of Bridgeton is good, and its location affords it great facilities for inland trade. Long pond is about 10 miles in lengthi, and 1 in breadth. It empties in- to Crooked river, which passes into Seba- go pond. This town lies 40 miles N. W. from Portland, by the road.
Bristol.
This town is bounded N. hy Noblebo- rough and Bremen, W. by Damariscotta river, S. by the sea, and E. by Muscongns bay. "Bristol Mills," so called, is the centre of the town, or the chief place of business. The town is finely watered by the Damariscotta and Pemaquid, and possesses great hydraulic power and navigable facilities. There is a number of islands in the waters around Bristol, which make a beautiful appearance : some of them are quite large, and inhabited. The surface of Bristol is not mountainous, but elevated, with a good soil. A num- ber of square-rigged vessels belongs to this town; about 20 sail are engaged in the coasting trade, and a great number of smaller vessels is employed in the bank and shore fisheries. Bristol lies 60 miles N. E. from Portland.
In Bristol, there was a temporary set- tlement as early as 1625. In an old fort, on the banks of the Pemaquid, once called William Henry, and afterwards Frederick George, built of stone, in 1632, and taken by the French in 1696, " are found grave stones of a very early date, and streets regularly laid out and paved, in the vicinity of the fort. On the side of the river, opposite to the fort, tan pits have been discovered, the plank remain- ing in a state of preservation. In other places, coffins have been dug up, which bear indubitable evidence of a remote an- tiquity." " A considerable portion of the inhabitants of Bristol are of Irish extrac- tion, a small part of Scotch, a few of German and English. The predominant characteristics of the inhabitants are frankness and hospitality, a generous lib- erality of sentiment, and an ardent love of liberty .and independence. There are few of that class of men who are esteem- ed opulent. The most wealthy are those who labor daily with their hands and
raise by their own individual exertions the bread they consume. On the other hand, the population of the miserably poor is very small, and the town is bur- dened with but few paupers." Bristol was the residence of Commodore Samuel Tucker, distinguished for his bravery in the revolutionary war.
Brunswick.
This town is on the S. side of Andros- coggin river, and connected with Top- shamn by a substantial bridge. It is 27 miles N. E. from Portland, and 8 W. from Bath. It lies in N. lat. 43º 53', and W. lon. 69º 55' 14. It lies at the head of the tide waters, where vessels of 400 tons are built. Vast quantities of timber and logs descend the Androscoggin to this place, and lumber of all kinds is sent to Bath in gondolas, or transported by land to the sea-board. There are numerous saw mills here, exclusive of those in Top- sham on the opposite side of the river. Two cotton and woollen factories were erected here ; but they were both burnt in 1-24. Another factory was built in 1834, calculated for 4000 spindles. It is of stone, five stories high, 174 by 45 feet. Other factories are contemplated. This place, possessing such an exhaustless water power, and situated on navigable waters, and on a large and beautiful river, extend- ing 180 miles into the heart of a fertile and healthy country, cannot fail of very soon becoming one of our largest manu- facturing towns.
Brunswick was first settled in 1627. It has been the scene of much savage ag gression. See Education.
Bucksport
Lies on the E. side of Penobscot river, 15 miles below Bangor, and about 14 W. by N. from Ellsworth. It has a fine harbor for vessels of the largest class, and which is seldom obstructed by ice. The soil is good, and the town is watered by a num- ber of ponds and streams. Considerable shipping belongs to this place, and the trade is quite extensive, particularly in the lumber business. It has some mann- factures. The fishing business is pursued here to a considerable extent, and many fine vessels are built. From 1792 to 1816, Bucksport was called Buckstown. This is a very beautiful town, elevated, healthy and flourishing. It is situated just above the head of Orphan's island.
Buxton.
This town is bounded on the S. W. by Saco river, and N. by Gorham. At this place the Saco falls abont ¿0 feet, and produces a great hydraulic power, which
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is partly improved for manufacturing es- tablishments. There is a number of saw mills in this town, and some leather is made here. It lies 8 miles N. W. from Saco, and 18 W. from Portland.
Calais,
At the head of navigation on the Schoo- dic, or St. Croix river, nearly opposite to St. Andrews, N. B. The Upper village, or Mill Town, is about two miles from tide water. At the Lower village, below the falls, is a bridge to the British side. Calais lies 23 miles above Eastport. This is a great mart for lumber of all kinds. A large number of saw mills is in ope- ration by the great fall of the river. Ves- sels are built at this place, and good bricks are made. The tide rises here about 20 feet, and large vessels ascend to the lower village. A railroad is in operation between the two villages; it is to extend to Baring.
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