As any new husband soon learns, remembering birthdays and anniversaries is important. The big ones — the ones that end in zero or five — are especially critical to remember. The same is true in civic life. As Bangor marks the 175th anniversary of its incorporation as a city, there is good reason for municipal officials and residents to stop and take notice.
In 1834, when the city government was established, Bangor was in its lumber-shipping glory. Readers of Wayne Reilly’s column each Monday, which examines the news of a century ago, know that in 1909 Bangor’s economy was still tied to natural resources. Yet even then, the city was diversify-ing, embracing new industries and new ways of life and developing closer ties to the rest of the world.
Bangor Daily News readers also know what the city faced in 1959, when it marked its 125th anniversary. Shopping centers were just beginning to be established outside of the downtown, a development hastened by the urban renewal movement. Housing subdivisions resembling the Levittown planned housing communities in New York and elsewhere were appearing in Bangor and outlying towns, as the region responded to the post-World-War-II baby boom. And the Paul Bunyan statute was sited at Bass Park.
As interesting and instructive as studying our local history can be, looking forward is also a worthwhile activity. What will the city look like at its next major anniversary, in 2034? Will Bangor continue to have a vital downtown, or will its commercial heart beat on Hogan Road? Will being the region’s largest service center be an economic curse or a blessing? Will its many nonprofit institutions remain strong? Will the airport be an important travel option? Will the waterfront be a recreational draw for cultural celebrations like the folk festival?
And most important, what tough choices will city leaders have to make to ensure that the above are answered in the affirmative, and will they recognize these choices as critical forks in the road?
But putting the prognostication aside, Bangor should also stop and celebrate what it is today — a small but lively city whose residents care about its fate; a major player in the state’s economy; a city with important cultural and educational roles to play; a nice place for families to live, work and rec-reate.
A party with a bonfire, cake, refreshments and live music is planned for this evening at Bass Park. Miss this party and you may have to wait another 25 years to celebrate the Queen City.