Bangor, Maine (Fanning's, 1853)

BANGOR CITY, the seat of justice of Penobscot co., Me., situated on the west side of Penobscot river, at the head of tidewater, 58 miles from the Atlantic, 68 northeast from Augusta, 230 northeast of Boston. Vast quantities of lumber are annually floated down the river to this place, whence it shipped to the West Indies and various parts of the Union. This city is built on elevated ground, affording a fine view of the surrounding country, and is tastefully laid out, and adorned with trees. The public as well as the private buildings are, many of them, neat and elegant. The harbor is inaccessible for four months in the winter, but will admit, at other times, vessels of 300 or 400 tons, the tide alone rising to the height of 17 feet. Lines of steamboats connect the city with Portland, and a railroad extends 12 miles up the river to Oldtown. The Bangor Theological seminary was incorporated in 1834, and is in prosperous condition. Population in 1790, 169; in 1800, 277; in 1810, 850; in 1820, 1,221; in 1830, 2,867; in 1840, 8,627; in 1850, 14,432.