Bangor will rename city trail after Gerald Talbot

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • May 29, 2026

Bangor is renaming a trail after Gerald Talbot, a civil rights leader and the state’s first Black legislator. That comes after Talbot died May 9 at age 94. The City Council authorized renaming the trail in honor of Talbot, whose name also adorns the park and playground off Second Street, where he grew up. Talbot made history in 1972 when he became Maine’s first Black legislator. His daughter Rachel Talbot Ross went on to serve as Maine House speaker. During his life, Talbot championed civil rights in Maine.