BIDDEFORD, Me., city in York Coun ty, on the right bank of the Saco River, six miles from the sea, and on the Boston & Maine Railroad, /5 miles southwest of Portland. The river separates it from Saco (q.v.) and, like that city, Biddeford grew up as a manufactur ing centre, its development being favored hy the abundant water-power furnished by the falls, the stream descending here abont 40 feet. The city also has a large local trade. The leading industries include the extensive manu facture of cotton goods, lumber, match blocks, boots and shoes, machinery, etc. Here are some of the most important cotton mills in New England, the 'products of which are found in the markets of rnany States. Near the city are granite quarries which annually produce large quantities of superior stone, used in many parts of the world. Several thousand people are employed in the city's industries and the flourishing of these has led to its gradual growth. It has two national banks. There is a fine beach here with good boating and bathing facilities and Biddeford is becoming a favorite resort. The ratblic school system
is well organized and conducted and,the vari ous religious denominations are represented by 14 churches. The intellectual life of the people is also stimulated through useful local publi cations and an excellent public library. The city was named from Biddeford, England, the home of some of its early settlers. In 1616 w small settlement was made at Biddeford Pool, near the mouth of the Saco, and Biddeford was settled under a patent in 1630, embraced Saco until 1718 and was then incorporated under its present name. This was long the chief settle ment of the Maine province. In 1855 Bidde ford received a city charter. The present gov-• ernment includes a mayor and a city council, elected annually. The population in 1910 was 17,079. Consult Folsom, 'History of Saco and Biddeford) (Saco 1830); Clayton, 'History of York County) (Philadelphia 1880); RidIon, (Saco Valley Settlements and Families) (1895).