Photograph by Jaimee Beatson, Biddeford High School
Why do we see the name "Thacher" everywhere in Biddeford? Where did we get many of our other place names, like Peirson's Lane, Sullivan Street or Clifford Park? What about those historical figures whose names are not remembered on sign posts or placards, but whose contributions to city history should also be commemorated?
Louis B. Lausier, Esq. From "The Franco-Americans of the state of Maine" (1915)
Every town and city has their prominent citizens, their town fathers and mothers. Though the people may be lost to time, their names live on in fable if not fact. You often hear these names in family stories or local lore, and it is assumed that at one point, they were famous within the community. Very often, these same people were involved in establishing institutions and customs that are still a part of everyday life.
While only a brief sample, presented here are five people famed in Biddeford's history, from the time of the American Revolution to recent history -- giving just a taste of the city's richly varied citizenship.
Click on a name at right to find out more!