Who Would Be On Bangor’s Walk of Fame?
Bangorians are usually great people, but some have been exceptional! Therefore, we think Bangor needs its own Walk of Fame.
Here's who (in alphabetical order) we think should receive a star on what is sure to become another tourist attraction to the city. Let's run it up Main Street all the way to the Bangor Opera House.
Of course, there are many more names we could add to this list. We're thinking of more even as we write this. If you have some you'd like to see on the Walk of Fame, let us know.
- 1
John Baldacci
PoliticianFor serving as Maine governor for two terms. Born in raised in Bangor, John Baldacci was Maine's 73rd governor. He also served as a Bangor city councilor, state senator and congressman. While we're at it, we think John's late mother, Rosemary, a.k.a Momma Baldacci, should get a star too for that Chicken Parmesan. We miss it!
- 2
Paul Bunyan
StatueFor letting people know they are in Bangor and for providing the best photo op in the city. Hear that, Bemidji? He's ours. Deal with it.
- 3
Joshua Chamberlain
War heroFor his bravery at Gettysburg. We know the famed Civil War general hails from across the river in Brewer, but he did study at the Bangor Theological Seminary. Good enough for us.
- 4
Bill Cohen
PoliticianFor political service. Born and raised in Bangor, the former Bangor mayor, U.S. senator and secretary of defense spent his early years at his parents business the Bangor Rye Bread Co. One of the city's middle schools in named in his honor.
- 5
Susan Collins
PoliticianFor representing Maine in Washington for many years. Even though she was born in Caribou, she lives right in Little City. You might even seen her at the grocery store sometime.
- 6
Richard 'Dick' Curless
MusicianFor his deep voice, quick fingers on the guitar, and hit songs like his 1965 charting single "Tombstone Every Mile." Curlless lived in Bangor for a time before his death in 1995.
- 7
Howie Day
MusicianFor being born in Bangor so we can say a famous pop singer is from here, and for your delightful singles "Collide" and "She Says." His parents own Nicky's Cruisin' Diner on Union Street.
- 8
Eddie Driscoll
BroadcasterFor creating the first live television programs for children and inspiring people like Stephen King. He was a television pioneer and one funny guy.
- 9
Duck of Justice
Stuffed duckFor keeping this city safe and smiling. If Donald Duck gets a star in Hollywood, so does the Duck of Justice. We think his partner in crime, Bangor Police Department Sgt. Tim Cotton, should attend the ceremony.
- 10
Bill Green
BroadcasterFor telling us all sorts of stories about Maine. Bill Green was born in Bangor and graduated from Bangor High School in 1971.
- 11
George Hale
BroadcasterFor being a friendly, familiar voice in the radio of Bangorians since 1953! Hale is a broadcasting icon to be sure. Above, he tells Danny Cashman about his first visit to Bangor.
- 12
Hannibal Hamlin
PoliticianFor his service in our armed forces, as well as for serving as the first Vice President to Abraham Lincoln. There's a statue of him at the entrance to the Kenduskeag Parkway.
- 13
Everett S. 'Shep' Hurd
BusinessmanFor alerting authorities of the arrival of The Brady Gang in the 1930s resulting in the demise of Public Enemy No. 1.
- 14
Zip Kellogg
For being the most exciting part of the Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race every year. He's always looking dapper, even when negotiating Six Mile Falls.
- 15
Stephen King
AuthorFor his contributions to the world through his writing, and his donations and contributions to Bangor and its residents. He still has a house right on West Broadway, and landmarks in the city have served as inspirations for his books.
- 16
Bob Marley
ComedianFor doing the best Mainah accent, and not making fun of his birth city too much.
- 17
Sanford 'Sonny' Miller
RestaurateurFor opening and running Miller's, one of Bangor's favorite eateries of all time. People came from far and wide for the buffet. Mr. Miller passed away in 2009.
- 18
Waldo Peirce
Artist - 19
Francis ‘Skip’ Rist
RestaurateurFor making us delicious Coffee Pot sandwiches for 80 years. No, you couldn't buy coffee at the original Coffee Pot, but Rist's sandwiches had us lining up every lunch hour.
- 20
Mary S. Snow
EducatorFor being the first female superintendent of schools in Maine, and for creating the first school for teachers in the state. One of the city's elementary schools is named in her honor.