From the 1994 Annual Report, a photo taken in about
1990, from where the 1915 Morrison Hill Station of the
Portland-Lewiston Interurban was located in West
Cumberland, Maine. Jay Mazzei is seen here.
His father, John Mazzei was assessing the structure in
preparation for moving the station to
Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine.
Image by John Mazzei
From the 1992 Annual Report. An image of the original
metal-clad station after it arrived at the Museum.
Volunteers began the task of rebuilding the remnant
of Maine's most famous interurban system.
Image by James Schantz
Another photo from the 1994 Annual Report. John Mazzei
poses in front of the newly completed Morrison Hill Station
at the Riverside Crossing at Seashore Trolley Museum.
Complete renewal of the roof, replacement of the
sill, sash and door repairs, a new interior, rewiring of the
600-volt lights (inside and outside), and installation of the
station in the nicely landscaped spot at the crossing.
Image by John Mazzei.
Cover photo of the 1994 Annual Report. Two projects
completed during that year was the restoration of 1939
New York Third Avenue Railway System no. 631
and the rebuilding and installation of the former
Portland-Lewiston Interurban Station.
Image by Richard LaHart.
From the 1995 Annual Report. The first trolley car ever
preserved in a volunteer-run railway museum. 1900
Biddeford & Saco Company Railroad open car No. 31
at Morrison Hill Station. Image by Donald Curry
The platform on the east side of the crossing was replaced in
April of 2017. PWM
West Cumberland resident, Kathy Allen MacDonald,
shared this newspaper story from July 1939.
The telephone pole was hit by a car and the pole
nearly struck the former waiting station of the PLI,
Morrison Hill Station. Kathy wrote that the station used
to sit next to Mill Road in West Cumberland. After
the PLI discontinued service in 1933, the waiting station
was sold and moved to the four corners at Blackstrap,
Skillings, and Gray Road. The Pride family purchased
the station next and moved it near their business,
Prides Tea House.
Photo from the Portland Evening Express- July 12, 1939.
The week before, on July 5, 1939, the founders of what
would become the Seashore Trolley Museum, paid
the deposit to purchase the first trolley car for
the collection. Car 31 from the Biddeford & Saco
Railroad in Saco. Car 31 arrived in Saco in June 1900.
On July 15, 1939, Car 31 was transported to
what is now the campus of Seashore Trolley Museum
in Kennebunkport, Maine.
A 1915 map showing Morrison Hill along the
Portland-Lewiston Interurban. The link to the map was forwarded
to us by Thomas Bennett, Director of
the Prince Memorial Library in Cumberland :)
This photo was taken on Wednesday, September 6, 2017.
This was built by the Portland, Gray & Lewiston Railroad
(in 1914, it became the Portland-Lewiston Interurban).
This photo was taken just north of the Cole Farms Restaurant
in Gray, Maine. The is on the east side of Route 100.
Description by the reporter that rode on the Arbutus during
June 26, 1914, an official inspection of the line reads:
"There are two types of culverts, concrete, and corrugated
tubular iron according to conditions which have to be met.
Open hearth steel rails, 70 pounds to the yard, are used
on the road." Image courtesy of PWM
In this 1915 map of the PLI, you will see an
underpass marked just north of the Piscataqua
River. I believe this to be a cattle underpass.
The link to the map was forwarded to us by
Thomas Bennett, Director of the
Thomas Bennett, Director of the
Prince Memorial Library in Cumberland :)
The interurban line was constructed between 1910 and 1914.
The tracks cut through many dairy farmers' cow pastures in the
very rural section of Maine between Lewiston and Portland.
The addition of fifty concrete underpasses for the safe passage of
dairy cows between pastures were critical for the farmers and
for the safe operation of the PLI vehicles.
Print of the original work of art, "Fast Friends", by Maine artist,
All proceeds benefit the Portland-Lewiston Interurban, no. 14,
Narcissus. The 1912 National Register of Historic Places
interurban is currently being restored at Seashore Trolley Museum
in Kennebunkport, Maine. PWM
The first new display inside of the station is a Westinghouse Electric portable phone, model
330-F. The "F" model is a little bit different from the "E" model that was in each of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban vehicles. This "F" model is in great condition. Perfect for an exhibit. The front covers have been removed and replaced with a Lexan cover, so, visitors can see the internal
working components of the phone. The slight difference between the "E" and the "F" model is that the "E" phone is Nickel-coated, compared to the Bakelite coating on the "F" phone. Also, "Line 1" and "Line 2" contacts on the "E" model are on the exterior on the top of the wooden box, whereas the two-line contacts on the "F" model are inside the wooden box, in the upper right-hand corner. For more on the "E" model phones and how they were used by the PLI, Click Here.
After reglazing the windows and painting the exterior
interior sash, the interior walls and ceiling
were also painted. PWM
"F" Model Westinghouse Electric
portable phone on display inside Morrison Hill
Station.
The model "E" Westinghouse Electric
portable phone that will be installed in the
Narcissus. PWM
From inside Morrison Hill Station, a view of
approaching 1901 Connecticut Company open-car
No. 303 as it returns from its trip to Talbott Park at
Seashore Trolley Museum. PWM
Morrison Hill Station greets riders from 1901
Connecticut Company's open car No. 303 as it returns from its
trip to Talbott Park at Seashore Trolley Museum. PWM
Morrison Hill Station will be undergoing some exterior repairs
this fall while new exhibit materials for the 2018 season
are created for use inside the petite 1915 way station of
the Portland-Lewiston Interurban. PWM
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We continue the restoration work on the 1912, Narcissus, the only surviving high-speed, luxury interurban coach of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban.
Click Here: Narcissus Restoration-Related Posts
Being more than a century old, the stately, "Elegant Ride," Narcissus, is a gem. This shimmering precious stone of Maine transportation history is brilliantly resplendent as it emanates so many elements of history, including; time, places, people, and events, that it was coupled to, that when just a smattering of its seemingly innumerable stories are shared, the contents captivates, fascinates, then generates, interest to learn more đŸ™‹. The majestic Narcissus is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Please consider joining the epic journey to complete the Narcissus Project by making a donation today!
Click Here: Donation Options
The restoration of this majestic icon of Maine's electric railway history is but one in a series of captivating stories containing an abundance of incredible coalition of narratives.
Click Here: History-Related Posts - Narcissus and Portland-Lewiston Interurban
The Narcissus is featured in the national Gold Award-winning novel, Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride. The "Elegant Ride" is the Narcissus. Theodore Roosevelt was a passenger on the Narcissus on August 18, 1914, between Lewiston and Portland, Maine, while campaigning for the Progressive Party candidates.
Click Here: Bookstores and Businesses promoting the Narcissus Project
Independent book publisher, Phil Morse, holding
the Gold Book Award Winner plaque for
the Middle Reader category for The Eric
Hoffer Book Award. Congratulations to
award-winning Maine author,
Jean M. Flahive
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