Seven miles of beautiful waterfront and a colorful legacy of famous residents and venerable industry have made Brewer a treasured and prosperous city for more than two hundred years. Since its founding in 1771 along the lower Penobscot River, Brewer has flourished in business and architecture, and yet has retained its scenic landscape. Brewer is a unique look at the development of this city. A wide range of photographs spanning a century and a half bring to life its vibrant history. Figures such as Gov. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, who was also an important Civil War general, and Col. John Brewer, the early settler for whom the city is named, are among the residents highlighted. One image showcases the family home of Deacon John Holyoke, which some believe was a station on the Underground Railroad. Ice harvesting along the Penobscot River, brick making, and ship launchings are pictured, including the tiny 3-cent Bon Ton ferries that linked Brewer to Bangor before a second bridge was built. Fourth of July celebrations, soapbox derby races, and events like the devastating flood of 1902 are all captured in this enviable history.
