Bangor, also known as Coopers Gap, Copperas Gap, or Coppers Gap, is an unincorporated community in

Blount County, Alabama Blount County is a county located in the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2020 census, the population was 59,134. Its county seat is Oneonta. Blount County is a moist county. In the November 6, 2012 elections, a countywide ballot initiative t ...

, United States. Nearby Bangor Cave housed a speakeasy during Prohibition and continues to be a popular attraction for area spelunkers. The community lies east of

Interstate 65 Interstate 65 (I-65) is a major north–south Interstate Highway in the central United States. As with most primary Interstates ending in 5, it is a major crosscountry, north–south route, connecting between the Great Lakes and the Gulf ...

and approximately 30 miles north of Birmingham. Bangor is located near the former resort community of Blount Springs. In 1937, the landowner of Bangor Cave, J. Breck Musgrove, convinced investors to provide funds for the construction of a nightclub in the cave. The cave soon included a bar, electric lighting, a bandstand, and a lounge for women. A locked room contained slot machines,

roulette Roulette is a casino game named after the French word meaning ''little wheel'' which was likely developed from the Italian game Biribi''.'' In the game, a player may choose to place a bet on a single number, various groupings of numbers, the ...

wheels and card tables. A spur track of the

Louisville & Nashville Railroad The Louisville and Nashville Railroad , commonly called the L&N, was a Class I railroad that operated freight and passenger services in the southeast United States. Chartered by the Commonwealth of Kentucky in 1850, the road grew into one of the ...

could drop visitors off at the entrance to the cave. The caveowners faced legal battles with Alabama governor

Bibb Graves David Bibb Graves (April 1, 1873 – March 14, 1942) was an American Democratic politician and the 38th Governor of Alabama 1927–1931 and 1935–1939, the first Alabama governor to serve two four-year terms. He successfully advanced progress ...

, and the Bangor Cafe Club was permanently closed in January 1939.

Notable person

Earl Reid Earl Percy Reid (June 8, 1913 – May 11, 1984) was a professional baseball player. He was a right-handed pitcher for one season (1946) with the Boston Braves. For his career, he compiled a 1-0 record, with a 3.00 earned run average, and two ...

, former professional baseball player for the

Boston Braves The Atlanta Braves, a current Major League Baseball franchise, originated in Boston, Massachusetts. This article details the history of the Boston Braves, from 1871 to 1952, after which they moved to Milwaukee, and then to Atlanta. During it ...

References

{{authority control Unincorporated communities in Blount County, Alabama Unincorporated communities in Alabama