Description: This newspaper copy covers 150 years since the city's incorporation in 1834. Bangor began in 1769 when the first white settler, Jacob Buswell made his home there. It is divided in 8 sections: A: 1834-1841 Out of the woods (Item 7413) B: 1842-1872 Boom town (Item 7414) C: 1873-1895 Turning the tide (Item 7415) D: 1896-1911 A new century (Item 7416) E: 1912-1931 Out of the ashes (Item 7417) F: 1932-1945 The lean years (Item 7418) G:1946-1968 Prosperous peace (Item 7419) H: 1969-1984 Building on past (Item 7420) [show more]
Description: Leza is one of the Southwest Harbor Public Library's most ardent volunteers. She has been important to the Friends of the Library, a member of the Board of Trustees as representative of the Friends, has served on numerous committees and has photographed countless library functions, particularly the garden tours, both for the brochures and as a record of the tours. She has scanned several thousand photographs for this database helping to provide a valuable archive for the library. [show more]
Description: Nancy Eleanor Stanley (1934-2022) was born on October 5, 1934 to Chester Warren Stanley and Bertha Emily (Robinson) Stanley in Southwest Harbor, Maine. Nancy married first Raymond Eugene Robbins Jr. (1928), son of Raymond Eugene Robbins and Myrtle Arvilla (Moore) Robbins, on December 27, 1954 in Southwest Harbor. She married second George Loring Hubbel Stone (1932) on November 24, 1970 in Canadaiqua, New York.
Description: C. Douglas Dillon (1909-2003) Ambassador to France, 57th Secretary of Treasury, Under Secretary of State Susan (Suzzie) Slater Dillon (1917-2019) 3rd husband was Dewitt L. Sage (d. 1982) 4th husband was Douglas Dillon Summer Residence: Sea Watch, Northeast Harbor Mrs. Dillon donated the Woolies to the Northeast Harbor Library
Description: Sidney Chadwick Hamor Bunker (1824-1918) Julia Bunker Spurling (Sidney's daughter) (1850-1919) Alta Spurling Bunker (Sidney's grand daughter) (1876-1969) Vincie Millicent Bunker (Sidney's great grand daughter) (1895-1993). (Perhaps ca. 1915.) Wilfred Bunker (1920-2012) Alta's son
Description: Rev. Charles Elliott Harwood was the pastor of the Great Cranberry Island Congregational Church from 1894 to March 22, 1897 when he died suddenly. This is a collection of letters from 1896-1897 mostly between Mr. Andrew C. Wheelwright and Myron W. Harwood, the administrator of Charles Harwood’s estate. There are also letters from William Preble, Carrie Richardson, and Enoch B. Stanley to Mr. Wheelwright. Many letters still to be added 8/6/18.
Description: The Green Mountain Railway was finalized in 1883 by Frank H. Clergue of Bangor, Maine. It was 6,300 feet long and started on the shores of Eagle Lake. Its cost was $110.000. It closed down in 1893 after only 10 years of operation. (From Item 2162).
Description: Amanda E. Crafts was born to Lewis Griffin Crafts and Shirley A. Worcester of Southwest Harbor. This photo was taken at the Grand March at the Boothbay Regional Highschool. She is seen here with Robert Arthur Dyer, who was at one time the principal of the Pemetic Highschool.
Description: Hundreds of 3" x 5" photographs of sculptures, drawings and paintings by Agnes Yarnall LePage (1904-1998). Ages Yarnall LePage was a sculptor, painter, poet and artistic historian. Renowned as a sculptor, she commissioned portrayals of contemporary celebrities. Her sculpted works are organized in groups such as: "Clowns" (7377), "Circus" (7378), "Mosaics" (7379), "Bas-relief" (7382). She is also known for her "Paintings" (7380), "Charcoal drawings" (7381) and "Pencil drawings" (7383). This collection of photographs was purchased at an estate auction and donated to the library in 1996. [show more]
Description: The second PDF contains an article about the Maddy Sue from various issues of Wooden Boat magazine. Following those articles are pages from what appears to be a Japanese magazine called Sea Dream "The Magazine for Your Marine Life" which contains some of the photos and content from the Wooden Boat articles. The third PDF contains an article from Douglas Brooks about the Maddy Sue.
Description: Occupation: Lighthouse Keeper Mount Desert Rock Lighthouse 1909-1910 – Second Assistant Keeper 1910-1911 – First Assistant Keeper 1911-c. 1919 – Princiapal Keeper 1924-1931 – Princiapal Keeper Home: Charles E. Stanley House Captain Vinal Beal House ME – SWH – Seawall Road - 112
Description: Father – Vinal Osmond Beal (1867-1944) Mother – Nettie Etta Alley (1874-1967) Birth Date – May 3, 1894 Born at – Jonesport, Maine Significant Siblings - Beal - Harvard Riley Beal (1897-1967) Spouse Name – Velora Mamie (Torrey) Reade (1885-1965) Spouse Parents – Fred Milton Torrey (1858-1932) and Jessie Benson Kelley (1861-1941) Wedding Date – August 22, 1912 Wedding Place – Southwest Harbor, Maine Death Date – December 7, 1965 Death Place – Ellsworth, Maine [show more]
Description: Originally founded as Houlton Academy in 1848, the school was renamed the Ricker Classical Institute in 1887. It was a secondary school until 1934 when it added a 6th year and became Ricker Junior College. In 1949, it became a 4-year liberal arts college until it closed in 1978
Description: The Echo Lake Camp began in 1922 when George B. Dorr signed a lease with the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) to allow camping on the shores of the lake. In 1926 he signed another lease for ten more years. The land, including thirteen acres with 1600 feet of shoreline on Echo Lake, was deeded in perpetuity to the AMC on November 19, 1934.
Description: Ralph built his first boats at his father’s house, originally his grandfather, Adoniram Judson Robinson's house at 376 Main Street in Southwest Harbor. He built this 33' lobster boat for Daniel "Danny" J. Graham (1943-2011) of Cohasset, Massachusetts, in this shop. "Linda G." was the same model as Ralph's other 33 footers. She carried a Palmer V-8 gas engine. In 2011 the boat belonged to Henry L. Grandjent of Islesford, Maine. [show more]
Description: The Myra J. Wooster “…carried salt fish to Gloucester and freight between Belfast and Bass Harbor… - Schreiber, Laurie. Boatbuilding on Mount Desert Island (Arcadia Publishing, 2016) p. 152 - from an unidentified article written by E.M Holmes in February 1947.
Vessels, Commercial Fishing Vessel, Net Fishing Vessel, Dragger
Description: The "Rhode Island" was built in Waldoboro, Maine. She was owned by Bill Howell who used her to fish for redfish mostly. In 1953 a Photo-Electric Pilot, Model 52 automatic steerer, sold by The Harris Co., was installed in the “Rhode Island.”
Description: Built by Ralph Stanley Inc. for Shirley Moore Phippen. There is a photograph of "Wandabob" on the cover of “Maine Lobsterboats: Builders and Lobstermen Speak of Their Craft” by Virginia L. Thorndike, published by Down East Books, Camden, Maine, 1998, “Ralph Stanley: Continuing a Southwest Harbor Tradition,” p. 37-40.
Description: From the Bangor Daily News, September 25, 2008 Benjamin Barrett Hinckley Jr. died in his sleep on July 19, 2004, in Clemens, N.C. He was born on March 3, 1913 in Northampton, Mass., the son of Benjamin Barrett Hinckley and Agnes Childs Hinckley. As a child of 11, Ben was sent to Eaglebrook School for Boys in Deerfield, Mass. He graduated from The Choate School in Wallingford, Conn. and attended Yale University. Ben started out on a career as an innkeeper, first assisting his family at their home, “The Manse” in Northampton, then at the family’s summer home, “The Moorings” in Manset. While looking for a place to manage in the winter, he accepted a job at the Hobkirk Inn in Camden, S.C., where he met Alice Witherspoon DePass. After a brief courtship, Ben and Alice married in May of 1937. Along with Alice came her son, John Ferguson, who was to be their only child. Ben and Alice made their home in Maine, first in Ellsworth and finally for more than 40 years in Southwest Harbor. Feeling the need for a retirement community, Ben and Alice moved in 1999 to Bermuda Village in Advance, N.C. In their final years, they were lovingly attended to by Alice’s nephews and wives, Bob and Rosina Stephenson and Jim and Marcy Allen. During World War II, Ben’s brother, Henry H. Hinckley, was engaged at the Manset Boat Yard, in building boats for the U.S. Army and U.S. Navy. Ben joined with his brother in what was to be a partnership of nearly 40 years. Ben, being a more prudent and introspective man, tended to the details of running the business, while Henry oversaw the running of the yard and the boat building. Later, the Manset Boat Yard became the Henry R. Hinckley Co., with Henry at the helm and Ben as treasurer. After the war, Ben took over the operations of Ellsworth Builders Supply. Later when he sold Ellsworth Builders, he retained ownership of its lumber operation, Wholesale Distributors. Ben went on to found the Hinckley Insurance Agency and, with Henry’s son, Bob Hinckley, he co-founded Hinckley Yacht Brokerage. Widely respected in the community, Ben gave selflessly of his time, serving on many local boards and committees. One of the founders of Maine Coast Memorial Hospital in Ellsworth, he served as vice-president or board chair from 1947 to 1980. He also served on the board of the Liberty National Bank. Ben was a member of the Pot and Kettle Club in Bar Harbor, the Causeway Club in Southwest Harbor, and the Yale Club. He was a founding member of the Kinfolk Paddle Club. An avid tennis player, his consistent and accurate style on the court fooled many a stronger and faster opponent. He was always in demand as a doubles partner, and posted many Causeway Club wins in mixed doubles. In later years, Ben undertook the enormous job of writing the history of the Hinckley Company from his personal viewpoint. This wonderful narrative, The Hinckley Story, was published in 1997. Having no children of his own, Uncle Ben took great pride and interest in the accomplishments of his and Alice’s nieces and nephews. He ever tired of their stories, and he remembered every detail of their lives. Ben will always be remembered for his fastidious attention to detail, his beautifully descriptive hand-written letters, his bow ties and tweed jackets, his warmth and humor and the twinkle in his eye. He was the penultimate gentleman. [show more]
Description: The Way Back Balls were held between 1948 and 1957, and possibly before. SWHPL #14597 shows a ticket to the Way Bak Ball in 1928 - note the different spelling. The twenty-five Sou'Westers held a Way Back (gay nineties) ball in the spring of each year during the 1950's at the VIA (Village Improvement Association) hall in Manset (the Thibodeau home in 2006). Miles Grindle talks about Wayback Balls in his recount of growing up in Northeast Harbor in the 1930's: “’Wayback Balls’ were held, when everyone dressed in old fashioned clothes, tux and top hats, long dresses, or overalls with plaid shirts. These dances were by invitation only, restricted to voting age, by a member of chartered ‘Waybackers’. The main snack, provided during intermission, was dry fish. Probably most people reading this journal have not experienced the joy of occasionally eating a piece of dry fish. The local fishermen would catch small codfish, and let the wind dry them on their boats, then strip the fish off the skin, and put them in jars. Alcohol was not allowed on the premises, but those who indulged kept their bottles in their cars.” - “The Local Boy: Growing up in Northeast Harbor, Maine in the 1930’s” by Miles Grindle, p. 29 – n.d. [2006] – Privately published – in the collection of the Southwest Harbor Public Library. [show more]
Description: The Northeast Harbor Fleet was formed in 1923 to vigorously promote recreational boating and sailboat racing off the coast of Mount Desert Island. They have two locations: The Fleet House at Gilpatrick Cove built in 1945, and Clifton Dock in Northeast Harbor, added in 1946 to provide additional moorings, dinghy tie-up, and fuel for boats. (Taken form the NEHF website)
Description: The records in the Woman’s Literary Club Collection includes manuscripts, typescripts, letters, annual meeting notes, scrapbooks, news clippings, photographs, meeting programs, photographs, and some objects. Belle Smallidge Knowles and Stella P. Hill, two college-educated women living in Northeast Harbor in the early 20th century, thought the community could benefit from a woman’s club. The Woman's Literary Club of Northeast Harbor held its first meeting in 1908 and quickly gained membership. Club members actively wrote papers (many award-winning) ranging from poetry to local family histories and biographies of famous artists. Members also participated in community improvement projects, and attended state and national women’s club meetings. The club disbanded in 2000 due to dwindling membership. [show more]
Description: In 1880 Charles Eliot, son of Harvard president Charles W. Eliot, organized the Champlain Society, a group of Harvard undergraduates, to explore Mount Desert Island and study various topics of natural history: botany, ornithology, geology etc. (from Item 2114)
Description: Wendell Gilley is a name well known among carvers and carving collectors. Author of The Art of Bird Carving: A Guide to a Fascinating Hobby, one of the earliest instructional books on the subject, Gilley was a pioneer in the field of decorative bird carving. By his estimate, he created “ten thousand birds of pine and paint” between 1931 and 1983. (Gilley also loved alliteration; it should be noted that most of his carvings were made of basswood.) [show more]
Description: Addie Gilley’s created an outstanding collection of her husband’s work. The carvings that Addie so wisely saved over the years became the core of the Museum’s permanent collection. Wendell and Addie were the guests of honor at the opening of the Gilley Museum on July 12, 1981. They remained active in the museum until their deaths a few months apart in 1983.
Description: In 1940 Southwest Harbor Motor Co. was the only AAA filling station in Southwest Harbor. Their phone number was 51-2. The brick building was converted to offices to rent in 1986-1987. The U.S. Post Office opened in the building on June 2, 1987. Ralph Warren Stanley (1929-2021) attended school in the elementary school on the present ellipse (behind the Gilley Plumbing building on the left of this photograph) before it was moved across the street to become a fire station and now [2011] the police station/town office. When the bank was housed at the Southwest Harbor Motor Co. Ralph would take his penny bank there to be unlocked and have the money deposited in his bank account. The lady in the bank would show him the big safe where is money would be kept. – Ralph Warren Stanley 01/17/11 Marion E. Newman (1890-1976), Mrs. Frederick Walter Wescott at the time, owned a yellow Stutz Bearcat that was destroyed in the fire. Marion was known for having invested in Coca Cola stock and holding on to it when others thought it worthless and sold their stock. – Ralph Warren Stanley, 03/31/14 [show more]
Description: This was originally the site of the James Lawton house built by Danforth Marcyes. In 2017 this was the site of the Bar Harbor Bank and Trust Building.
Description: Naval Radio Station in Bar Harbor under the commission of Alessandro Fabbri. The Station began operations in 1917 and was deconstructed in 1934.
Description: The store, on Clark Point Road, was T.W. Jackson & Son, an IGA store. “R.B. Jackson [Richard Benson Jackson (1893-1959)] is having a building erected on his lot lately purchased from P.L. Sargent. A filling station and other conveniences will be established there, and the extensive grounds opened as a parking place. This will be a great convenience to the customers of the Jackson market.” – The Ellsworth American, Wednesday, April 15, 1936. "In the 1930s and 40s, Jackson's Market of Southwest Harbor sent a boat and operated a weekly market on the old steamboat wharf [on Little Cranberry Island] during the summer. In addition to meat and vegetables, a youthful stamp collector could find a small envelope of stamps inside each package of Brookfield butter." - “A History of Little Cranberry Island, Maine” by Hugh L. Dwelley, published by Isleford Historical Society, 1990, p. 114. In 2017, Christina's Gallery & Past Treasures, was located in the building once occupied by the Jackson Market. [show more]
Description: The land was purchased from Henry H. Ward, Sr. 3/16/1876 (152/399) by Arthur Newman. The house was built by Merrill B. King about 1878 [T-189]. It was then sold to William H. Ward, Jr. 10/17/1911 (484/111). A mortgage was foreclosed by Union Trust Co.12/11/1913 (503/35) and then it was sold to Eldora Dolliver Ward 11/30/1918 (543/290). It was devised to George A. and Thelma Dolliver Ward 7/2/1939 (670/109) and then sold to William Sklaroff (of Stanley Fisheries) et al. 5/7/1947 (714/90). The property went to Eugene and Kathleen Grant Watts 11/7/1953 (757/579) and then sold to John A. and Janice E. Knote 4/5/2001 (3054/127). In the spring of 2015 the town was considering the purchase of this property for use as a near-dock parking area. (map 1, lot 66) - Our Neighborhood – Manset and Seawall (Southwest Harbor Historical Society, Southwest Harbor, 2015) 136. [show more]
Description: Luere B. Deasy was born on February 8, 1859 in Gouldsboro to Daniel and Emma L. (Moore) Deasy. He was educated at the State Normal School in Castine. He did not attend college, but received a law degree from Boston University Law School. Deasy was admitted to the Bar in 1884. Prior to sitting on the Court, Deasy practiced in Bar Harbor. Deasy served as President of both the Hancock County Bar Association and the Maine State Bar Association. He was elected to the Maine State Senate and served as its President. Deasy was appointed an Associate Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court by Governor Milliken on September 25, 1918. On October 1, 1929, he was appointed Chief Justice by Governor Gardiner. He served as Chief until his retirement on February 7, 1930, when he returned to private practice in Bar Harbor. Deasy died on March 13, 1940, in Portland, at the age of 81. Sources: In Memoriam, Luere B. Deasy, 138 ME 371; James H. Mundy, Presidents of the Maine State Senate from 1820, Secretary of the Senate of Maine, 1979. See also article about Deasy at: http://mdihistory.org/wp-content/uploads/Horner.pdf [show more]
Description: “In 1897, the different societies in the village combined to raise funds for street lights. The lamps were bought and placed near those houses whose owners were willing to furnish the kerosene and keep the lamps trimmed and lighted. These lamps did duty until the installation of electricity in the summer of 1917.” - “Traditions and Records of Southwest Harbor and Somesville, Mount Desert Island, Maine” by Mrs. Seth S. Thornton, 1938, p. 124. [show more]
Description: Now the site of "Indian Lot Cottage" built in 1927 by the Norwoods for George Ashbridge Rhoads and still owned, in 2007, by Rhoads descendents, the Obbard family. "I think it was the same year (1847) that fifteen or twenty Indians from Oldtown camped on the salt water shore opposite Parkers. The chief said they had been rehearsing their old customs and would like the right to give an exhibition if a hall could be found that was large enough. The woolen factory was not in use at that time so it was opened for the purpose…The Indians dressed in their war paint and feathers and gave their dances with flourishing tomahawks and blood-curdling yells. One of the tribe could play the violin with considerable skill…" - Traditions and Records of Southwest Harbor and Somesville, Mount Desert Island, Maine by Mrs. Seth S. Thornton, p. 255 - 1938. "For many years Indians from Oldtown came every summer and encamped on the rocky lot across from the Parker property. They pitched their tents and remained for the summer, selling their baskets. The men roamed the woods gathering sweet grass and occasionally cutting an ash tree, which right they were vouchsafed by the owners of the land as it was an unwritten law that the Indians could have an occasional tree to use in their work from the land that, not so long before, had belonged entirely to them. They were quiet, law-abiding neighbors and the encampment was one of the picturesque sights of the town. When in 1925 George A. Rhoads of Wilmington, Delaware, built his house on the camp site, he called it Indian Lot.” - Traditions and Records of Southwest Harbor and Somesville, Mount Desert Island, Maine by Mrs. Seth S. Thornton, 1938, p. 167. "Indians from Oldtown, Maine camped on the rocks across [Clark Point Road] from our house [the Parker house at 143 Clark Point Road] each summer. They lived in tents and sold baskets, moccasins and small birch bark canoes. Some of the baskets were made of wood and some almost entirely of sweetgrass which had a very pleasant odor. This grass was secured from the marshes at Bass Harbor and would be cured by being hung up in large bunches. They also cut some ash wood for use in making the wooden baskets. As the same Indians returned year after year we became well acquainted with them. In later years the older Indian boys played baseball with us." - “Recollections of Southwest Harbor, Maine 1885-1894” by Jesse L. Parker, p. 40, manuscript, 1955. This valuable manuscript is a narrative of the early history of the town by an eyewitness. There are largely unknown or unreported facts on almost every page. See “Indians in Eden: Wabanakis and Rusticators on Maine’s Mount Desert Island, 1840s-1920’s” by Bunny McBride and Harlod E. L. Prins. [show more]
Description: "The Island House, owned by Deacon Henry H. Clark, was the first summer hotel on Mount Desert Island. Deacon Clark began the hotel business by taking into his hospitable home the first occasional tourists who came to the island for a short stay. He gradually enlarged his house until in 1885 it was entirely remodeled and did a thriving business, employing many of the townspeople during the summer season." - Traditions and Records of Southwest Harbor and Somesville, Mount Desert Island, Maine by Mrs. Seth S. Thornton, p. 174 - 1938. [show more]
Description: William was an enterprising man. He built the Central House, sometime in the 1880s – before 1894, and lived there on land across the street and a few lots toward town from his father’s land. The house known as "The Central House" was sold to William's sister, Sarah Frances Mayo and her husband Willard Wycliff Rich in 1905 and occupied by them as early as 1903.
Description: "At Southwest Harbor after J. T. R. Freeman, Mrs. Emily Robinson Farnsworth had the [post] office for some time; then J. A. Freeman and William J. Tower held it alternately according to change of political administration for several terms. Then E. S. Thurston was appointed and held office for twelve years until Earll W. Gott was appointed by Franklin D. Roosevelt. The office has changed location with every new postmaster…" - “Traditions and Records of Southwest Harbor and Somesville, Mount Desert Island, Maine” by Mrs. Seth S. Thornton, 1938, p. 105. "William J. Tower built the building east of the Jackson lot and he kept the post-office there for a number of years. He sold to E. S. Thurston when Mr. Thurston took over the duties of postmaster and after his services of twelve years were past, the property was sold in 1936 to Mrs. Fred A. Birlem whose son, Wallace Birlem, built the double garage behind it with living rooms above which he occupies [1938]." - “Traditions and Records of Southwest Harbor and Somesville, Mount Desert Island, Maine” by Mrs. Seth S. Thornton, 1938, p. 157. [show more]
Description: The “Masonic Hall was built in 1875 by a stock company formed for the purpose. John D. Lurvey was the builder. The land was purchased from the Freeman family and John T.R. Freeman held the majority of the shares. In 1881 the building was sold to the Masonic lodge and the name of Tremont Hall changed to Masonic Hall. The lodge had the building raised and stores made in the basement with other additions and improvements.” - Traditions and Records of Southwest Harbor and Somesville, Mount Desert Island, Maine by Mrs. Seth S. Thornton p. 151 - 1938. The front entrance was on Main Street. A lobby and auditorium with stage were on that floor. Town meetings and other gatherings were held in the auditorium for many years. The top floor held the lodge hall. The Old Masonic Hall, then known as Tremont Hall, appears in the History of the Southwest Harbor Public Library in 1895. After the dedication of the new (first) Library building the attendees repaired to Tremont Hall for supper. September 1, 1916 - Grace Clark Carroll Clark noted in the Baby Book for her new daughter, Rebecca Carroll Clark, that Rebecca's aunt, Anna Beatrice (Carroll) Kelley, stayed with Rebecca while Grace "went out to hear Fritz Kreisler at the Masonic Hall." Thornton goes on to say that Masonic Hall “was saved during the fire of 1922 by almost superhuman efforts of the young men who fought the flames from the roof until the danger was past.” The Old Masonic Hall burned on January 27, 1939 and a new building was erected in 1940. R.M. Norwood was the builder. “The [Freeman J.] Lurvey building was built as a general store and was conducted by Liston F. Smith for some years. Mr. Smith came to this vicinity some years previous and went over Mount Desert Island with a pedlar’s cart, calling himself “The Live Yankee.” When he settled down to storekeeping this was on his sign and by this cognomen he was known to most of the people. [Later Arther Allen purchased the store. Mr. Smith] moved his goods to one of the stores in the basement of the Masonic Hall where he was in business until failing health forced him to retire.” - “Traditions and Records of Southwest Harbor and Somesville, Mount Desert Island, Maine” by Mrs. Seth S. Thornton, p. 148-149 – 1938 The Hall, built c. 1877 as Tremont Hall, was sold to the Masonic lodge around 1902. The lodge members renamed the building, raised it, and rebuilt the first and second floors to achieve the building shown here. – See the Bar Harbor Times, April 20, 1927, p. 7. [show more]
Description: According to Elizabeth (Marshall) Klausky Mills, Joseph Dana Phillips’ granddaughter, Joseph built the house on Phillips Lane as a wedding present for his bride, Clara Adelaide Driscoll, at the time of their marriage in April 1901. Nell Thornton says that he bought the land in 1900. Construction was probably done between then and the wedding. - Elizabeth to archivist at the library, September 2013.
Description: The building fronted on Main Street and would probably have had a Main Street address at the time. The property is now [2017] the Western Way Condominium complex.
Description: J. T. R. Freeman purchased the discarded schoolhouse about 1865, moved it to his lot, remodeled and added to it as his residence. He built a small building to the north which was used for a long time as a post-office while Mr. Freeman was postmaster. This building is now a part of the Freeman Store. About 1887 he built the present store building and enlarged his business which is now [1938] carried on by his daughter, Mrs. Fred A. Walls.
Description: "The Cedars was built by Sylvester Brown, who lived there for some time before moving to Northeast Harbor and selling to Thomas Savage, who sold to James Scott." - “Traditions and Records of Southwest Harbor and Somesville, Mount Desert Island, Maine” by Mrs. Seth S. Thornton, p. 151-152 – 1938. The Browns built their house, later called “The Cedars”, before 1900. Sylvester’s father-in-law, John T.R. Freeman had his store just around the corner on Main Street and owned the land from there to what was later called Freeman Ridge so it is probable that he gave or sold the land to the Browns at about the time of their marriage. Nell Thornton says that Sylvester Brown sold the property to Thomas Savage. Thomas was apparently a farmer or farm gardener. The twice widowed Myra Ellen (Barrett) Lord Dresser purchased the house from Thomas and Nellie Savage on March 24, 1904. Nell Thornton’s account of the history of the house omitted Myra’s ownership. She may or may not have lived in the house. Myra sold the house to her daughter and son-in-law, James H. and Lizzie Lord Scott on July 7, 1908. James H. Scott was born to John J. and Rachel K. Scott in January 1872 in Ellsworth, Maine. James married Lizzie J. Lord (1869-1956), daughter of Seth R. and Myra Ellen (Barrett) Lord on December 31, 1900 in Ellsworth, Maine. The property at 7 Wesley Avenue was devised to Lizzie J. (Lord) Scott on September 28, 1921. 7 Wesley Avenue is called “The Cedars” on the Sanborn 1921 map. James H. Scott died in September 1929 and Lizzie, the manager of a “rooming house” in 1930, kept “The Cedars” for thirty-five years. It is reasonable to assume that Lizzie turned the house into a rooming house and named it “The Cedars” as everyone else before Lizzie had other professions. “Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Toomey of Boston have rented furnished housekeeping apartments at The Cedars. Mr. Toomey is employed at the Seawall radio station. Mrs. Scott will continue to let the remainder of her rooms to transients as usual.” – The Bar Harbor Times, Wednesday, June 10, 1925. “Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Harding and children of Gott's Island have taken housekeeping apartments in the garage building belonging to Mrs. James Scott of The Cedars.” – The Bar Harbor Times, Wednesday, June 17, 1925 “Mr. and Mrs. Walter M. Robinson have taken rooms at the Cedars for the remainder of the summer.” – The Bar Harbor Times, Wednesday, August 19, 1925 Lizzie Lord sold “The Cedars” to Richard G. and Barbara Wallace Robinson on July 10, 1956. Brendon Herbert Thurston was born on July 10, 1915 to Herbert W. and Gertrude E. (Kelley) Thurston in Tremont, Maine. Brendon married Effie Florence Murphy (1921-1988), daughter of Forest Emery and Lottie Frances (Conary) Murphy, on October 15, 1935 in Maine. Brendon Herbert Thurston died on October 31, 1980 in Seal Cove, Maine. “The Cedars” was sold to Juanita Dorr Wilson on August 8, 1967. Juanita Esther Dorr was born on July 19, 1929 to Sylvester Warren and Nellie Myra (Robinson) Dorr in Southwest Harbor, Maine. Juanita married Howard Edwin Wilson (1928-1966). “The Cedars” was devised to Juanita’s son, Michael E. Wilson on November 27, 1995. Juanita Esther (Dorr) Wilson died on December 18, 1997 in Southwest Harbor, Maine. [show more]
Description: Nell Thornton famously said, in her book, The Traditions and Records of Southwest Harbor, “The Southwest Harbor Public Library had its beginning [as the Tremont Public Library] in 1884 when Mrs. Annie Sawyer Downs gathered a number of discarded books from the hotels, mostly paper covered volumes, and placed them on a shelf in one corner of Dr. R. J. Lemont's drug store…” The library was, as were many small libraries on the coast of Maine, started by “people from away,” in other words, summer people. This small library, however, was quickly adopted by native Southwest Harborians, and has grown, in the almost one and a half centuries since its founding, to be one of Maine’s very few five-star libraries, according to the Library Journal Index of Public Library Service. Thornton, Nellie C., Traditions and records of Southwest Harbor and Somesville, Mount Desert Island, Maine (Merrill & Webber Company, 1938, The Southwest Harbor Public Library, 1988) [show more]
Description: Howard Ernest Robinson (1896-1972) purchased site for the garage from Isaac F. Stanley in 1924. Howard built a garage there in 1928. He sold the garage and property to Earl Gordon (1893-1964) and Leslie Frank White (1891-1967) in 1929. They established the Gordon & White Garage. The Gordon & White garage, on Main Street in Southwest Harbor, was an Esso station and sold Fords, Mercurys and Kiekhaefer Mercury outboard motors. The gas pumps were removed in 1985 by the new owner, Tom Landers, who renamed the business Landers Ford. [show more]
Description: Uncle Jimmy - Pa Jim - or Jimmy, William Doane Stanley, was well known at Southwest Harbor and the Cranberry Isles during his life and has become a legend in the area thanks to the stories told of his adventures by his great nephew, Ralph Warren Stanley (1929-),
Description: Richard Lewis Stanley was born on March 14, 1962 to Ralph Warren Stanley and Marion Louise (Linscott) Stanley in Southwest Harbor, Maine. Richard grew up in his father’s boat shop and began to help him build boats when he was very young. Richard’s name started appearing as a builder in 1983 when he helped to father build the 28-foot schooner, “Equinox” given to Mystic Seaport. Richard grew up to be a fine boat builder. “He’s a better boat builder than I am.” Ralph told Charlotte Morrill in 2010. [show more]
Description: After earning an associate's degree from a college in northern Maine, Stanley returned to Southwest Harbor. Not sure what occupation he wanted to pursue, he decided to try to build a boat. So he earned the money he needed to buy wood and other construction materials and, during the winter of 1951-1952, he built a 28-foot lobster boat. The boat turned out well and a local person bought it. This led to orders for other boats. "I've been building (boats) ever since," he said. Stanley learned how to build boats not by apprenticing himself to another boatbuilder but mainly by keenly observing and using boats and by observing the activities of several professional boatbuilders who specialized in the Mt. Desert Island version of the Maine lobster boat. [show more]
Description: Ralph Stanley, boat builder, sailor, raconteur, genealogist, historian, musician, violin maker and beloved mentor to all who share these interests, has been recognized by the government of the United States, the State of Maine and the citizens of Southwest Harbor as a veritable Living Treasure.
Description: Southwest Harbor Captain Adoniram Judson Robinson (1834-1912), great-grandfather of boat builder Ralph Warren Stanley (1929-2021), was Master of schooner "Andrew Nebinger," built at on the Mispillion River. For information about the vessels built on Mispillion Creek see "Mispillion-Built Sailing Vessels 1761-1917" by Betty Harrington Macdonald, published by the Milford Historical Society in 1990 - available for view at the Maritime Museum in Bath, Maine. See "Wood Shavings to Hot Sparks: The History of Shipbuilding in Milford, Delaware" – video produced for the Milford Museum by 302 Stories, Inc., Written, Directed and Edited by Michael Oates, Narrated by Don Wescott – 36 minutes.Early boat building at Milford, Delaware on the Mispillion River. [show more]
Description: Built As: Lorilynn Class: Lobster Boat Hull: Wood Designed By: Stanley - Ralph Warren Stanley (1929-2021) – “built on the same 34’ model as Wolfhound for Wendell Seavey and Russell Pettigrove’s boat” Build Date: 1966 Built by: Ralph W. Stanley Inc. Built at: Stanley 1st Shop - SWH – Main Street – 376 Built for: Bracy – Wesley “Junior” Peterson Bracy Jr. (1938-) Named for: Probably Junior’s wife: Lorraine R. (MacAllister) Bracy (1948-) and a daughter Lynn? Power: Built with 8 cyl. Buick engine – later – 1980s – Caterpillar Diesel Length: 35’ [show more]
Description: Bear Island Light is a lighthouse on Bear Island (the smallest of the Cranberry Isles) near Mount Desert Island, at the entrance to Northeast Harbor. It was first established in 1839. The present structure was built in 1889. It was deactivated in 1981 and relit as a private aid to navigation in 1989. (Text adapted from Wikipedia)
Description: The village of Northeast Harbor is situated on the southern end of Mount Desert Island at the entrance to Somes Sound and it is part of the Town of Mount Desert. Its harbor is one of the most well-protected on the island and operates year-round. The town has long been home to a renowned summer community.
Description: The largest of the five Cranberry Islands located in the Town of Cranberry Isles on the southeastern side of Mount Desert Island. It is a year-round community.
Cranberry Isles, Little Cranberry Island, Islesford
Description: One of the five Cranberry Islands located in the Town of Cranberry Isles on the southeastern side of Mount Desert Island. It is a year-round community.
Description: Bartlett Island is a small island located off the western coast of Mount Desert Island in the Town of Mount Desert. It is privately owned by the Rockefeller family.
Description: The settlement of Hall Quarry in located in the town of Mount Desert on Mount Desert Island and was home to a granite quarry. The quarry's location alongside of Somes Sound proved very beneficial, as it allowed the schooners to land very close to the quarry to load the granite and transport it to various ports.
Description: Charles Eliot, renown landscape architect, was the son of Charles W. Eliot, president of Harvard College and one of the first summer resident of Northeast Harbor. Charles Eliot was also a member of the Champlain Society. He died of spinal meningitis at the young age of 38.
Description: Belle Smallidge Knowles and Stella P. Hill, two college-educated women living in Northeast Harbor in the early 20th century, thought the community could benefit from a woman’s club. The Woman's Literary Club of Northeast Harbor held its first meeting in 1908 and quickly gained membership. Club members actively wrote papers (many award-winning) ranging from poetry to local family histories and biographies of famous artists. Members also participated in community improvement projects, and attended state and national women’s club meetings. The club disbanded in 2000 due to dwindling membership (from item 6888). [show more]
Description: Photographs: Stetson School (item 6997) Gilman High School (item 6998) Ballard Hill School (item 6999) Mount Desert High School (item 7000) Clifton Dock area (item 7001) Who's who - People (item 7002) Northeast Harbor (1) (item 7005) Northeast Harbor (2) (item 7006) Miscellaneous (item 7004) Documents and Manuscripts: Parker Fennelly's diploma from Leland Powers School (item 7003) Nathan Fennelly invoices (item 7284) Parker Fennelly scrapbook (item 7283) Parker Fennelly discharge papers (item 7285) Parker Family writings Parker Family plays and writings Cottages for Rent, 1929 (item 7286) Letter from Northeast Harbor Water Co., 1904 Future of Mount Desert Island by Charles W. Eliot (see also item 6127) Mount Desert High School and Mount Desert Elementary School specifications, letters from architects & contractors, additions, building notes Objects (see items 7288, 7289) WWII ration books, tokens, service ID, Red Cross Volunteer Pin, V pin [show more]
Description: Parker W. Fennelly (October 22, 1891 – January 22, 1988). Son of Nathan Fennelly and Estelle Dolliver Fennelly, he was born and raised in Northeast Harbor and studied classical acting in Boston. He was a member of Boston's Toy Theater company and participated in Chautauqua readings. He studied under performing arts educator Leland T. Powers. He later became a character actor and appeared in ten films, numerous television episodes and hundreds of radio programs. (Text source: Wikipedia) [show more]
Description: Somesville is the earliest village of the town of Mount Desert on Mount Desert Island in southeastern Maine. It is located on the north end of Somes Sound. The village was established by Abraham Somes who was the first settler on the island. It attracted many people because of its mills and quarries. The entire village is part of the Somesville Historic District. (Text source: Wikipedia)
Description: The last large side-wheeler steamer used in New England for both passenger and freight service was the 214-foot J. T. Morse, built in 1903-04 in East Boston for the Eastern Steamship Company. Powered by a 600-horsepower, single-beam engine, it traveled the Rockland, Maine to Bar Harbor run from April to October or November each year. The ship was named for James Thomas Morse of the well-known maritime (shipping and towing) family from Bath, Maine. (Text from visitacadia.com) [show more]
Description: The property at Spruce Point was purchased by Frederick Allen in 1841. He was the first person of African descent to own land in the area. His family of 12 lived on this property until the 1890s. Spruce Point was also referred to as Negro Point.
Description: Viola Benson was born and raised in Tremont, Bernard. She married Willis B. Watson 1881-10-12 in Boston, MA. She was a talented photographer in the late 1800's and early 1900's. Her collection of 250 glass plate negatives was donated to the Tremont Historical Society. These negatives document many places in the Tremont area.
Description: Willis B. Watson MD was a long time resident of Bernard, He was educated at Harvard College and Harvard Medical School. He was a businessman who built a community building that housed a country store, and the Town Hall. He married Viola Benson 1881-10-12 in Boston, MA.