Biddeford Revealed (In pictures!) (Saco, Ogunquit: apartment, lofts, houses)

[lookinforahome]

I live in Saco, right next to Biddeford, so today I took some pictures (not great one's, mind you). I know it's not the greatest of places, but I guess I'll continue my "Mill Towns In Hard Times" series.

It was very bustling today around Biddeford. I suppose the good weather was the reason. Lots of people out walking, driving, lounging on porches and such. It was a rarely optimistic day in Biddeford!

As you enter Biddeford, the large mills...

This was on the side of one...


I love the white-ish building


Some shops in Biddeford

The yellow one is nice!


Biddeford's Finest outside a church

Rowhouses downtown, these were condemned, but were worked on, look great now!

Cool old apartment building

St. James

Another apartment building

Made my way back to Main St.








Oh so common triple deckers in Biddeford

My favorite two for last!

[Elcarim]

Thanks for sharing! That's a very pretty looking town.

[elston]

I have such a soft spot in my heart for Biddeford and Saco.....thanks so much for sharing your pictures....I love them. My favorite must be the Palace Diner with its sign "Ladies Invited" got to love it. I also loved the refurbished row houses. And the views of downtown. I am so glad that "urban renewal" never cleared away the old stores and commercial buildings....and I look forward to more and more of them being restored and brought back. There is something wonderful about the old mill towns.....to me they are everybit as much "MAINE" as the mansions that line the Marginal Way in Ogunquit. You can feel the rhythm of the mills and the workers lives looking at your pictures. Wonderful!

[Elcarim]

We're so anxious to explore the various cultures throughout Maine. I'm glad you mentioned that, elston. It's good info. I wonder if there is a cultural resource to guide us through our explorations.

[retiredtinbender]

My daughter lives in Saco. I like driving around down there and walking downtown. Both Saco and Biddeford are great olsd cities. The only part I don't like is RT 1 by Thornton Academy in Saco. That one corner(s). Thanks for the pictures. I'll pay more attention on the side streets next time. Photos were great.

[elston]

Originally Posted by Elcarim

We're so anxious to explore the various cultures throughout Maine. I'm glad you mentioned that, elston. It's good info. I wonder if there is a cultural resource to guide us through our explorations.

LOL I edited out my remarks about the French Canadian heritage...because I didnt want to get "off topic"........but Biddeford does have a French Canadian tradition and some of the buildings still have the signs over the door in French there is a Canadian Social Club that has its sign in the stone over the door in French I believe. They also have a parade (led by Kermit the Frog) to celebrate the french contribution to Biddeford.

[Elcarim]

Very intersting! I'll put Biddeford on my list! Again, the photos are great!

[mainebrokerman]

very clear pictures!! ive been in some of them buildings!!
thanx for posting

[lookinforahome]

Thanks all, for the compliments. Yea there is a La Kermesse festival every summer to celebrate the French heritage around here, I don't have much but it is still fun! Also, around Biddeford I hear French spoken all the time. I meant to get pictures of library in Biddeford, as it is very beautiful. I would try there, they might have some cultural information. If not, the Saco Museum is the (I think I got this in an e-mail from them once) "capital of regional history." Or something along those lines...

I think Biddeford is fairly diverse for a city of it's size. There are countless ethnic resturaunts downtown, there's an Asian market, you saw the Natural Foods store (doesn't sound "diverse" or "ethnic" but does contain some unusual things!). A lot of artist lofts, galleries going up, art and music stores. Actually, the city just got a grant from some organization that will help them to develop culture downtown.

[genmomto5]

Great pictures. I wonder why the diner has Ladies Invited on it.