Bangor> Local town history centennial projects written by students about their communities

Editor’s Note: This is the 21st in a series of local town history centennial projects written by students about their communities in the Bangor Daily News readership area. Students were asked to compile a timeline of important events in the 20th century, to write an essay about what has set their community apart, and to choose a photograph that sums up something important about their community’s history.

By Francesca Anderson, Meagan Lindsay and Sarah Frisk, grade six, Fifth Street Middle School; with teachers Margaret Clancey and Sarah Winne

Bangor has a fascinating history. From the Great Fire in 1911 to the “Battle of Bangor” involving the Brady Gang in 1937, and the pollution of the Penobscot River during much of the century, the Queen City has learned from her mistakes and successes.

In 1911 the Bangor Public Library was destroyed in the Great Fire. The library lost 69,032 books. The next year the city collected 7,127 books and rebuilt the library. Recently, it underwent a renovation at a cost of $8.5 million. Today the library has the largest circulation in northern New England!

The “Battle of Bangor” occurred in October 1937. The Brady Gang, which was wanted by the FBI, came to Bangor to buy weapons. The owner of Dakin’s Sporting Goods got suspicious and told the trio to come back. Then he contacted the state police, who contacted the FBI. A week later, James Dalhover was arrested by undercover FBI agents. Clarence Shaffer went to check on his partner, saw the FBI men and began to fire. He was killed along with gang leader Al Brady. Dalhover was later executed.

In April 1954 two beluga whales swam up the Penobscot River to Bangor. More than 5,000 spectators visited the river during the week. Unfortunately, the whales haven’t returned since. The Penobscot River used to be full of wonderful creatures such as salmon. For much of the century until 1954, the first salmon caught in the Penobscot River was sent to the president of the United States. River cleanup in the 1970s revived the tradition.

In the late 1960s, Bangor voted for urban renewal. This plan promised to make a better Bangor by tearing down the old and building the new. About 200 buildings were demolished, among these the Bijou Theatre, the old Bangor Auditorium, and the beautiful Union Station. Tragically, urban renewal left Bangor with a vacant lot about 52 acres long.

Today Bangor is a fabulous city in contrast to the wilderness Jacob Buswell settled in 1769. Bangor has a low crime rate and the best library north of Boston. In 1997, Bangor was rated the most livable city with a population under 100,000.

1907 Union Station is finished.

1911 The Great Fire in downtown Bangor is started in a hay shed.

1912 Bangor Public Library and Bangor High School are constructed side by side.

1923 First landing of planes in Bangor occurs in a hayfield (the field was later called Dow Field).

1924 WABI starts broadcasting Maine’s first radio program with live music.

1936 The Eastern Steamship Co., running between Bangor and Boston, stops operation.

1937 The “Battle of Bangor” is fought in downtown Bangor, involving the Bangor Police and the FBI against the Brady Gang.

1954 Last presentation of Penobscot River salmon to a U.S. president until the 1970s. Beluga whales swim up the Penobscot River.

1959 Paul Bunyan statue is built in honor of Bangor’s 125th anniversary.

1960 Passenger railway ends and Interstate 95 is built through Bangor.

1964 Vote for urban renewal: “Out with the old, in with the new.” Many beautiful historical buildings are destroyed.

1968 The city takes control of Bangor International Airport, which was previously called Dow Air Force Base.

1978 Bangor Mall is built.

1979 Stephen and Tabitha King and their three children settle in Bangor.

1997 Bangor is rated the nation’s most livable city with a population under 100,000 by MacMillan’s “Places Rated Almanac.”