In partnership with the Maine Memory Network Maine Memory Network

Biddeford History & Heritage Project

Sharing the history of a proud city rising where the water falls

The Civil War/Reconstruction Era as Experienced in Biddeford & Saco

(Page 1 of 17) Print Version 

By Paige S. Pandora
University of Southern Maine

Biddeford and Saco were up-and-coming areas when the Civil War struck.

Biddeford’s population grew significantly from 1830-1860. People were migrating to the area to work in the mills and the supporting businesses that supplied them. Biddeford and Saco were both already very successful in their agricultural endeavors, but industry was on a steady rise.

Business in Biddeford began to expand as entrepreneurs took advantage of the river and sea access in the area. Due to these financially advantageous factors, heavy Irish and Canadian immigration occurred. The 1830 and 1860 Biddeford census show a rise from 1,995 residents to 9,349 residents.