The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-01-21
Our Maine correspondence.
The Situation of Watrv,He-Ihs Androscoggiw
and Rennebec Railroad, &c. &c.

WATskvn.LE, Name, Dec. 30, lS49
The Situation of WaturtHe-Ths Androscoggin
and Kennebec Railroad, &c. &c.
As your paper Is national in its character and
circulation, perhaps account of some things
which happened down here In Maine, will not
be unacceptable to you, or uninterestlng to your
readers.
Waierville is situated on the Kennebec, at Tico-
mic Falls, about twenty miles above Augusta, and
nearly hundred from the mouth of the river. In
past years, during six months In the year, while
General Jack Frost has his embargo on the Ken
nebec, we have been cut off from all intercourse
with other States, except by staging and trucking
TO Portland, distance OF eighty-twO miles; but,
on Tuesday, the 9th ult., we put the embargo at
defiance, and raised the blockade, never to be put
ON again. On that day, the Androscoggin and
kennebec Railroad was opened to Watervllle.
This, as perhaps you are aware, branches off from
the Atlantic and st. Lawrence Railroad, at Dam
vile, Distance OF twenty-seven miles from Port
land. Two years ago last July, the ground had
not been broken, and now the road Is opened to
Watervlle, distance OF hfty-five miles. Con-
sidering that ii has been built almost wholly by
country capital, at time unexampled In our his
tory tor pressure in the money market, and that
the metropolitan influence and capital of State
have been engaged IN rival enterprise, and in tn
deadiest hostility to this the directors and stock
holders of the Androscoggln and Kennebec Rail-
road certainly deserve great praise for their energy
concentrating, this enterprise, so momentous to
this section Of the State and, in fact, to the whole
Stale and nation.
THIS road is the longest that is in operation in
Maine, and comprises one-fourth OF the whole
length Of railroads in Maine. 1t runs through a
rich farming country, to which II, OF course, opens
ready and con slant market. 1t drains one Of the
richest freight sections in New England, as il
turns the products Of the rich valley OF the Upper
Kennebec from Bangor towards the West. 1t will
be, for the present, decidedly freight road; but
soon it shall be extended to Bangor, and from
thence still further east, II will command all the
travel from the provinces, and become the great
thorougbfare of the State. IL runs as near the
central portion of the State as road can rum and
is destined TO become the outlet of all the northern
portion OF the State The continuation of the road
to Bangor Is already chartered, under the name Of
the Penobscot and Kennebec Railroad. The compile
uon and opening OF the Androscoggin and Kennebec
Railroad have excited an interest and determine
uon among the inhabitants Of Penobscot Valley,
that their road must be built, and mme diately too
When This shall be finished, there will be, with the
exception OF seventy mules staging from Woodstock
10 Mattawamkeag, continuous line from ST.
Johns, through the centre OF Maine, to Portland,
Boston, New York, and from thence God knows
where
So much for the bearing this road has on the
State and National interests. Its Importance to
our local interests Il, perhaps, much greater Water
Vile has on immense water powers there is probably
not lis rival in Maine, and scarcely IN New England,
In this respect. With the kennebec on one side,
end large stream, the outlet ofsome ten or dozen
large ponds, on the other. and both Of them having
a large fall they pass this place, Watervile has
resources as yet undevelored, and hitherto shut
out from the world, which can support all the man.
siaotoues in Massachusetts put together The
opening ct this road has given an impulse towards
improving these natural advantages, and though
the place ls now laboring under the effects Of the
immense exertlons Il made to build the road, still
you will soon hear Of other things indicating the
rapid growth and prosperity OF this favored, thnv-
ing town.
The stockholders Of the road, and citizens of
Waervlle and vicinity, celebrated the opening
OF the road IN an appropriate manner.
The travel on the road, since its opening sur
passes all expectation. In conclusion, Mr.. Editor
II any OF you Gothamites, next summer, wish for
beautiful pleasure route, let them take the cars In
New York, and come all the way down East in
them-take glance at our splendid scenery, and
when they arrive here among us, we will furnish as
good hshing places, as beautiful ponds tor sailing,
New England, or the old York State