The small Penobscot River town of Milford, located 13 miles north, northeast of Bangor was named for its "very valuable water power" resources. Settled in 1800, and incorporated in 1833, Milford became the focus of 19th century sawmills, and attendant river drives. In the 20th century it became a major source for the region's electric power, light and street car operations. This plant served the Bangor Railway and Electric Company, reorganized in 1924 as the Bangor Hydro-Electric Company.