Diese Serie bietet eine faszinierende Reise durch die Vergangenheit von Maine, lebendig gemacht durch atemberaubende Vintage-Fotografien. Entdecken Sie die einzigartigen Kulturen und Traditionen von 'Vacationland', von seinen ikonischen Leuchttürmen und rauen Küsten bis hin zu seinen geschäftigen Städten und stillen Weilern. Jeder Band enthüllt die besonderen Menschen, Orte und Ereignisse, die diesen bemerkenswerten Staat geprägt haben. Es ist eine visuelle Erkundung, perfekt für Geschichtsinteressierte und alle, die vom Charme Neuenglands angezogen werden.
Set against the backdrop of the 1700s and early 1800s, the narrative explores Biddeford's evolution from a prosperous fishing and lumbering village to a thriving industrial hub following the 1830 industrial revolution. The establishment of the Saco Water Power Company and textile firms led to significant urban development and cultural diversity. However, the Great Depression marked a challenging period for the city. Through a collection of images, the book vividly captures Biddeford's rich history and transformation over the years.
In the summer of 1643, John Sanders was granted land bordering the Mousam River in Kennebunk. From this early grant to the present, many generations have called Kennebunk home. Through nearly two hundred vintage photographs, Kennebunk portrays life in this charming village from 1850 to 1940. From the architecture of its downtown neighborhoods to scenes of the rural countryside, the images in this book provide a window on Kennebunk's past. They also capture the people who made up the fabric of this community, from early sea captains to hardworking farmers.
Wilton was incorporated in 1803, when it was a mostly self-sufficient agricultural community. Manufacturing was the backbone of town even before it was fully incorporated and would continue to be until the late 20th century. Early industrial success can be attributed to Wilson Stream, which provided waterpower for Wilton's mills. The names of Bass, Butterfield, Furnel, Walker, Robbins, and Goodspeed would become well known in Wilton as early entrepreneurs. George Henry Bass entered the shoe manufacturing business in 1876 and started his first shoe shop in 1879. G.H. Bass & Co. went on to become a major employer in the area and a nationally known company. The early 1900s was a time of great progress for the town in which the Wilton Academy was accredited, the town library was acquired, and the Wilton Woolen Mill was established. Several businesses also emerged on Main Street, including the Cony Miller Grocery Store, Mrs. Magrath's Millinery, Holman's Drug Store, and Stockford's Drug Store. Today, the essence of Wilton is still reflected in its official motto, "A great place to live, work & play."
Focusing on the historical journey of Jewish communities in Maine, the book traces their origins from the first recorded Jew, Susman Abrams, in 1830, to the establishment of synagogues and cultural institutions by the late 19th century. It highlights the growth of Jewish life, including schools, shops, and charitable organizations, showcasing how Jews have integrated into every facet of Maine society over the past 150 years. The narrative celebrates their contributions and the absence of social or religious discrimination they now experience.
Vinalhaven Island has been the home port of a productive commercial fishing fleet for over 200 years. By 1819, Vinalhaven vessels were fishing for cod and herring from Seal Island all the way to Labrador waters. By 1878, Carver's Harbor was lined with docks, fishhouses, a sail loft, a net factory, and the Lane & Libby fish plant. Throughout the 19th century, boats brought bait, salt, and supplies to Vinalhaven and returned with fish and granite from the island's quarries. Lighthouses at Brown's Head, Heron Neck, Saddleback Ledge, Goose Rock, and Matinicus guided mariners through storms. In Vinalhaven shops, boatbuilders constructed small dories, peapods and double-enders, masted schooners, and lobster boats, as well as the 365-ton Margaret M. Ford. Passenger ferries played an important role as the primary link between Vinalhaven and the mainland. The island has long been a successful center of maritime economic activity, so it is no surprise that islanders call it "the center of the universe."
Baxter State Park and the Allagash River covers two spectacular areas in the northern Maine woods. Baxter State Park, with more than 200,000 acres, is the largest park in the country purchased by one individual, former governor Percival P. Baxter. The park includes Mount Katahdin, the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail and the highest peak in Maine. Breathtaking photographs portray the scenic Allagash River, which was designated a wilderness waterway in 1966 by the Maine legislature. It was the first state-managed river area in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System in 1970. Included in this volume are stereoscopic photographs of Mount Katahdin from the early 1870s. This mountain, sacred to the Native Americans, has an atmosphere that is masterfully conveyed in the extraordinary photographs used in this history. The Allagash River is portrayed as it was before the wilderness waterway was created. Baxter State Park and the Allagash River chronicles the progression of the river and park from lumbering, hunting, and fishing to its eventual preservation and tourism.
It is an odd fact that Yarmouth grew richer as it grew smaller. By 1849, parts of six towns had been formed from the original settlement and yet Yarmouth still prospered due to the many mills and shipyards clustered around its sheltered harbor. The mansions of sea captains and merchants arose along its elm-shaded streets. When shipbuilding and other key industries declined, the town turned to its scenic islands and peninsulas to attract cottagers and other tourists to a leisurely world of clambakes and sailing parties. Yarmouth explores this fascinating coastal town in more than two hundred rare photographs. Haunting images, many of which have never been published, portray employees working in the shipyards and factories while the mill owners entertain in their gardens. The tranquility of life in Victorian cottages by the sea contrasts sharply with the drama of floods, fires, and train wrecks. Fourth of July celebrations appear raucous in comparison with the somber parades of Civil War veterans.
The narrative explores Maine's Lake Region, highlighting its intricate network of lakes and waterways that shaped its identity. It recounts the adventurous journeys of early settlers navigating the Presumpscot River and Songo River to reach Sebago Lake and beyond. The establishment of the Cumberland & Oxford Canal in 1830 and the arrival of the Portland & Ogdensburg Railroad in 1870 marked significant developments, leading to the vibrant steamboat era and enhancing the region's connectivity to the outside world through the Bridgton and Saco River Railroad.
The Blaine House in Augusta is one of Maine s most notable homes. In 1862, three decades after the house was built by Capt. James Hall in the early 1830s, James and Harriet Blaine moved in. The home became the setting for one of the most meteoric careers in American politics, during which James Blaine served as Speaker of the US House of Representatives, US senator, secretary of state, and Republican candidate for president in 1884. After the deaths of her parents, the Blaines daughter Harriet Blaine Beale gave the house to the state in 1919. Since 1920, it has served as the official residence of the state s governors and their families. As a symbol of state government, it ranks with the Maine State House. The house has been a National Historic Landmark since 1964. Architecturally, it reflects a combination of Federal, Victorian, and Colonial Revival styles. Today, the Blaine House functions as a social showcase for Maine, a working office, and family living quarters."
The town of Westbrook, Maine, was incorporated in 1814 while under the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and was voted to become a city in 1891. Settlers were first drawn to the area for its prime location along the Presumpscot River as they harvested lumber and built sawmills and gristmills. The Cumberland & Oxford Canal, built by Irish laborers, ran along the river through wooded areas, ponds and lakes, and neighboring towns. It served as a major transportation route until the development of railroads. Rail enabled Westbrook to become an industrial center, attracting many skilled workers. Several mills, such as Westbrook Manufacturing, Haskell Silk Mill, S.D. Warren Paper Mill, and Dana Warp Mill, exported their goods across the globe. While dairy farms once populated the town's landscape, only a few are left standing, most notably Smiling Hill Farm. Today, Westbrook, diverse in population, features fine restaurants and a growing music and art community.
According to local lore, Auburn's name comes from "Sweet Auburn, loveliest village of the plain," a line from Oliver Goldsmith's poem, "The Deserted Village." The first settlers were drawn to the Auburn area by the remarkable falls, lakes, and streams, which provided power for early shoe and textile manufacturers as well as opportunities for recreation. Visitors were also attracted by the tremendous natural resources of "Sweet Auburn" and tourism boomed in the nineteenth century, with people "from away" flocking to the area to enjoy cruises on Lake Auburn and to partake of spring waters and tonics. As Auburn grew and changed, photographers began to preserve these developments on film. For the past 130 years, they have recorded the daily lives of the people of Auburn: their workplaces, schools, and houses; their modes of dress and moments of leisure; and the celebrations and disasters that have brought the people of Auburn together.
The book showcases the diverse history and development of Orono, a central Maine town established in 1806. Initially a farming community, it transformed into an industrial hub due to the nearby Penobscot and Stillwater Rivers. The establishment of Maine's land grant university in 1865 further shaped its identity. As the 20th century approached, the town shifted from lumbering to papermaking, a significant industry that persisted until the end of World War II, highlighting Orono's evolution over time.
The book explores the rich history of Standish, Baldwin, Sebago, and Naples along Maine's Sebago Lake, detailing early settlement during a tumultuous period marked by Native American raids. It highlights the significant developments brought by the Cumberland & Oxford Canal and the Portland & Ogdensburg Railroad, which spurred tourism and transformed the area into a popular destination. With a blend of rare photographs and thorough research, it captures the evolution from humble beginnings to a vibrant tourism industry, showcasing both well-known and lesser-known aspects of the region's past.
Georgetown is an island located between the historic Kennebec and Sheepscot Rivers. Incorporated in l716, it was accessible from the mainland only by various ferries and local fishing boats until a bridge was erected in 1898. Maritime endeavors like fishing and shipbuilding emerged as the major industries in town very early on and continue to be a primary means of employment today. Georgetown encompasses several beautiful villages, all of which retain a feeling of an older time and place. As the area continued to grow as a destination for artists in the early 1900s, several notable photographers congregated at the Seguinland Hotel, now known as Grey Havens Inn, to discuss starting a school that would ignite the development of commercial photography. One of the most recognizable parts of Georgetown is Reid State Park, which attracts visitors with its beautiful beaches. Today, residents take pride in the new historical society building, firehouse, post office, and restored community center.
Maine native Myron H. Avery recruited friends from Washington, D.C.; Maine forest and warden service personnel; guides and sporting camp operators; and the Civilian Conservation Corps to extend the Appalachian Trail through Maine, despite questions of whether it would be possible to carve a trail through the state's wildlands. Volunteers of Maine's Appalachian Trail Club, created by Avery in 1935, have since maintained the trail, built shelters, relocated more than half of the original hastily constructed route, and taken on the task of managing the trail's protection corridor. Along Maine's Appalachian Trail illustrates the rich history of the trail's rugged mountains and vast forests, which have provided a livelihood for generations of workers and communities.
Very few towns in the United States have the honor of being the first one incorporated in their state. Kittery, incorporated in 1647, has that honor for the great state of Maine. For over 300 years, this small seaside town has not deviated far from its shipbuilding roots. Like many towns of its day, Kittery was founded by a few prominent families whose presence is visible to this day. The rich architecture created by these people, coupled with various intriguing stories of the area, makes for a fascinating visual tour of the past. Kittery's strong ties with shipbuilding are obvious, and the growth and development of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, the nation's oldest continuously operating shipyard, has created a strong foundation for the community. With ships comes the military, and its presence in Kittery is another contributing member to the town's history. From John Paul Jones to Teddy Roosevelt, the stories and memories of past military and military-related events are nothing short of incredible.
The book offers a pictorial history of Sebago Lake, showcasing its evolution from a serene natural landscape to a vibrant gathering place. It captures the essence of the region through images of early fishermen, travelers at local inns, and the arrival of steamboats. The narrative highlights the area's rich traditions and the nostalgia of summer camps and classic cars, inviting readers to reflect on the memories and experiences that have shaped this beloved southwestern Maine locale over the centuries.
Before its incorporation in 1803, Dixfield was called Holmanstown, after its principal proprietor, Col. Jonathan Holman. Dixfield, the easternmost town in Oxford County, bordered two rivers, the Webb and the Androscoggin, which provided valuable waterpower and drained the town's rolling wooded hills and fertile valleys. The twin peaks of the Sugar Loaves form its most recognizable landmark. In the 1800s, Amos Trask purchased mills that had been built along the Webb River. Over time, his descendants, the Stanleys, Stowells, Eustises, and Harlows, steered Dixfield away from its agrarian roots towards becoming both the toothpick and spool manufacturing capital of the world. From the area's early homes, bridges, and streets to its pioneering toothpick mills and from lumber barons to antique dealers, Dixfield contains an array of photographs designed to present life as it was. The Dixfield community continues forging into the future, drawing on the sterling character of the people who have made it what it is today.
First settled in 1631, Berwick is the ninth-oldest town in Maine. Its unique location on the border of Maine and New Hampshire has served as one of the most popular gateways between the two states for centuries. Berwick was home to Gen. John Sullivan, a military officer in the Revolutionary War, and James Sullivan, the seventh governor of Massachusetts. Berwick was also the site of the country’s first sawmill, powered by the Salmon Falls River. In the 1800s, sawmills gave way to cotton mills, all which continued to depend on the river for their livelihood. In 1935, Berwick became the headquarters of Prime Tanning, which grew to be the country’s most dominant leather tannery. Today, Berwick is shifting its focus back to the river, not as a means to support factory life, but rather as a place to gather and engage in community activities. Berwick traces the history of a town that has overcome economic hardship and looks to continued revitalization in the future.
The towns of Camden and Rockport have had a rich, intertwined history since the first settlements in the mid-1700s. Until 1891, they were one town, built on the abundant natural resources of coastal Maine. Many residents in the early 19th century were farmers that carved out a living from the soil, or fishermen that harvested the teeming waters of Penobscot Bay. As the towns grew, successful industries were established that sustained the communities through the mid-20th century. These included fishing, textile mills, lime manufacturing, an anchor factory, and shipbuilding. Majestic schooners were built in the shipyards, and businesses such as the Bay View House hotel, S.B. Haskell's clothing store, numerous livery stables and harness shops, Joseph Brewster's Shirt Manufactory, and Knowlton Brothers Foundry lined the main thoroughfares. In Rockport, the Shepherd Company supplied lime, and the Rockport Ice Company cut ice on Lily Pond to be shipped as far as the Caribbean. These tight-knit villages, nestled "where the mountains meet the sea," weathered fires and wars, celebrated the launches of massive sailing vessels, and welcomed summer "rusticators" who helped form a lasting legacy of arts, culture, and learning that continues to draw visitors today.
The book offers a pictorial history of Sebago Lake in southwestern Maine, highlighting its rich traditions and the evolution of the region. It captures scenes from the past, such as fishermen seeking landlocked salmon, travelers at farmhouses, and the arrival of steamboats. The imagery evokes nostalgia with views of summer camps and classic cars, illustrating the area's transformation over time while celebrating its enduring charm as a gathering place for generations.
The narrative explores the transformation of the Upper Saco River Valley from a vital travel route for the Pequawket Indians to a bustling area influenced by logging and railroads. Key locations include Fryeburg, known for its academy and fair, Lovell with its charming homes and lake, and Brownfield, remembered before a devastating fire. Denmark honors Rufus Ingalls, while Hiram celebrates a Revolutionary War general linked to Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Vintage photographs throughout the book capture the historical essence of the river and its covered bridges.
The Portsmouth Naval Prison, now vacant, sits at the far end of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard on Seavey Island on the Maine and New Hampshire border. For over a century, "the Castle" or "the Rock," with its deceptively appealing exterior, has kept both visitors and New Hampshire residents in its thrall. Since its opening in 1908 to its decommissioning in 1974 and into the present day, myth and lore have surrounded this iconic building. For the 66 years it functioned, any prisoner who escaped was brought back dead or alive--or so it has been said. Only adding to the prison's mystique is its history of reform; particularly successful were the wartime restoration and rehabilitation programs. Although the prison's fearsome reputation is cemented in Darryl Ponicsan's The Last Detail, Portsmouth was a forerunner in many ways. Routine inside often reflected the latest advancements in the field. Yet, designed or deserved, the prison's legacy remains an intriguing mix of dread and redemption.
