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Biddeford Maine
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Biddeford MaineThe Sokokis tribe of Abenaki Indians once hunted and fished in the area. The first European to reside here was physician Richard Vine in the winter of 1616-1617 at Winter Harbor, as he called Biddeford Pool. In 1630, the Plymouth Company granted the land south of the River Swanckadocke (as the Saco River was then known) to Dr. Vine and John Oldham. In 1653, the town included both sides of the river, and was incorporated by the Massachusetts General Court as Saco. Roger Spencer was granted the right in 1653 to build the first sawmill. Lumber and fish became the community's chief exports. In 1659, Major William Phillips of Boston became a proprietor, and constructed a garrison and mill at the falls. During King Philip's War in 1675, the town was attacked by Indians. Settlers withdrew to Winter Harbor for safety, and their homes and mills upriver at the falls were burned. In 1693, a stone fort was built a short distance below the falls, but it was captured by the Indians in 1703, when 11 colonists were killed and 24 taken captive to Canada. In 1708, Fort Mary was built near the entrance to Biddeford Pool. The town was reorganized in 1718 as Biddeford, after Bideford, a town in Devon, England, from which some settlers had emigrated. After the Fall of Quebec in 1759, hostilities with the Indians ceased. In 1762, the land northeast of the river was set off as Pepperellborough, which in 1805 would be renamed Saco. The first bridge to Saco was built in 1767. The river divides into two falls that drop 40 feet (12 m), providing water power for mills. Factories were established to make boots and shoes. The developing mill town also had granite quarries and brickyards, in addition to lumber and grain mills. Major textile manufacturing facilities were constructed along the riverbanks, including the Laconia Company in 1845, and the Pepperell Company in 1850. Biddeford was incorporated as a city in 1855. Notable locations in Biddeford Maine: Whites Wharf, Shamrock Recreational Vehicle Park, The University of New England Dock, Gregory Hall, Gregory Annex, Siena Hall, Jack S Ketchum Library, Southern Maine Medical Center Health Sciences Library, Avila Hall, Padua Hill, Assisi Hall, Stella Maris Hall, Frederick Hall, Decary Hall, Biddeford City Hall, The Campus Center, Biddeford Historical Society Building, McArthur Public Library, Harold Alfond Center, Admissions House. Shopping Centers: Five Points Shopping Center, Biddeford Shopping Center. Churches in Biddeford Maine: Anchor Baptist Church, Church of Christ, First Parish Meeting House, Saint Marys Church, Saint Joseph Church, Second Congregational Church, Saint Francis Church, Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, Hosanna Christian Fellowship. Cemeteries: Saint Marys Cemetery, Saint Josephs Cemetery, Woodlawn Cemetery, Greenwood Cemetery. Lakes, reservoirs, and swamps: Lords Pond, Wilcox Pond, Etherington Pond, Saco River Reservoir, Town Thatch Bed, Great Heath. Streams, rivers, and creeks: Dungeon Brook, Bush Brook, Swan Pond Brook, Swan Pond Creek, Moors Brook, Thacher Brook, West Brook. Parks in Biddeford Maine: Clifford Park, Waterhouse Field, Saint Louis Field. Beaches: Hills Beach, Fortunes Rocks Beach, Freddy Beach. Post office: Biddeford Post Office. Tourist attraction: Kennebunk -Kennebunkport Chamber of Commerce (17 Western Avenue). Hotels: Comfort Suites Biddeford (45 Barra Road), Biddeford Motel (560 Elm Street), Sleepy Hollow Motel (297 Elm), Dallaire's Motel & Cottages (528 Elm). Court: Maine State - Courts- District Court- Biddeford (25 Adams Street). |
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