Thursday, March 17, 2016

Ninety Communities in Maine had Electric Railway Service!

Porcelain advertising piece from a ticket booth of the Portland-Lewiston
Interurban. Electric railways advertising quite often promoted the
"clean and comfortable ride". This image is an original porcelain
advertising piece from the O. R. Cummings collection at

     I'm deep in researching materials involving electric streetcars, trolleys, and interurbans in Maine. The information will be used in part for a large grant application to help with the restoration of the 1912 Narcissus that operated on the Portland-Lewiston Interurban from 1914 till 1933. I'm feeling compelled to dig deep for the broader impact of electric railways' influences on Maine's economic growth and its implications on Maine's societal development. This blog post is the second that shares some of the early findings. The first post is titled, 57 Million Passengers Carried on Electric Railways in Maine in 1915!! The third post will speak more about the railways' recreation and commercial destinations and the handful of parlor cars in Maine.

     Please consider making a donation to the Narcissus Project. Funds are still needed to complete the restoration of the National Register of Historic Places member, Narcissus.  Scroll to the end of this post to find all donation options, including an online donation link. All donations are currently matched, dollar-for-dollar, as part of a $40,000 matching grant challenge, thanks to the generous offer from the 20th Century Electric Railway Foundation! 
Thank You :)

     The vast majority of the materials I will share have come from several books released by Seashore Trolley Museum's long-time historian, O. R. Cummings. Also, books by Charles D. Heseltine.

     In total, more than 90 cities, towns, and villages in Maine had electric railways servicing their communities. Eleven of Maine's sixteen counties had communities with trolley services. The total trackage of the electric railways in Maine extended nearly 520 miles. To put that in perspective, the length of trackage is about the same distance that one would travel by automobile today when taking U.S. Route One from Kittery, all the way to Fort Kent....527 miles.

Many of the Maine communities served by electric railways were in rural
areas. Dirt roads were the norm outside of the downtown areas of the cities.
Cities like Bangor, Lewiston, and Portland were "hubs" for the railways that
connected people and products to the outer communities. Above, Aroostook
Valley Railroad No. 70. AVR 70 is a combination car. It transported passengers
and light freight/express. AVR 70 is one of thirteen Maine electric railway
vehicles at the Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, ME.
Image from postcard PWM

     Here is a list of communities throughout Maine served by electric railways during the era:
Alfred, Arundel, Auburn, Augusta, Bangor, Bath, Benton, Biddeford, Brewer, Brunswick, Calais, Camden, Cape Elizabeth, Cape Porpoise, Caribou, Charleston, Chelsea, Corinth, Crouseville, Cumberland, East Vassalboro, Eliot, Fairfield, Falmouth, Farmingdale, Freeport, Gardiner, Glenburn, Gorham, Gray, Greene, Hampden, Hallowell, Kenduskeag, Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Kittery, Lewiston, Lisbon Falls, Litchfield, Lyman, Madison, Manchester, Mechanic Falls, Minot, New Gloucester, New Sweden, North Vassalboro, Norway, Oakland, Ogunquit, Old Orchard Beach, Old Town, Orono, Owl's Head, Portland, Presque Isle, Rockland, Rockport, Sabattus, Saco, Sanford, Scarborough, Shawmut, Skowhegan, South Berwick, South Monmouth, South Paris, South Portland, South Thomaston, South Windham, Springvale, St. George, Thomaston, Topsham, Turner, Van Buren, Veazie, Wales, Warren, Washburn, Waterville, Webster, Wells, West Gardiner, Westbrook, West Kennebunk, Winslow, Winterport, Winthrop, Woodland, Yarmouth, York, and York Beach. Notes: Calais, ME to St. Stephen, New Brunswick, Canada - South Berwick, ME to Dover, New Hampshire - Kittery, ME to Portsmouth, New Hampshire via ASL ferry, Fryeburg Horse Railroad was Never Electrified

Maine counties served by Electric Railways included: Androscoggin, Aroostook, Cumberland, Kennebec, Knox, Oxford, Penobscot, Sagadahoc, Somerset, Washington, and York.

A typical image of service outside of the downtown area. 
From postcard PWM

Dirt roads were the norm and difficult for wagons, horses, and early
automobiles to navigate in muddy conditions as well as in the snow during
the winter months. The electric railways were the most dependable form
of transportation. Image of River Road in Arundel, Maine, approaching
Merrill's Farm is on the far left. Image from the collection of
Seashore Trolley Museum

 Electric Railways of Maine - 1915
Click Here for the post: "Electric Railway King" of the Pine Tree State - Amos Fitz Gerald
(Portland, Falmouth, Cumberland, Gray, New Gloucester, Auburn, and Lewiston)

(Presque Isle, Van Buren, Washburn, New Sweden, Caribou, and Woodland)

Atlantic Shore Railway - 90.40 Miles
Biddeford, Kennebunkport (Arundel), Kennebunk, West Kennebunk, (Lyman), Cape Porpoise, Alfred, Sanford, Springvale, Wells, Ogunquit, York, York Beach, Kittery, Eliot, South Berwick, ME, and Dover, NH)

Bangor, Brewer, Old Town, Orono, Hampden, Charleston, Winterport, Kenduskeag, Glenburn, and Corinth.

Benton and Fairfield

Biddeford, Saco, and Old Orchard Beach

Calais Street Railway - 7.00 Miles
Calais, ME, and St. Stephen, N.B. Canada

Portland, South Portland, Scarborough, Old Orchard Beach, Saco, Westbrook, Gorham, South Windham, Cape Elizabeth, Falmouth, Cumberland, and Yarmouth

Fairfield Village to Shawmut

Fryeburg Horse Railroad (Abandoned 1914) - 3.00 Miles (Never Electrified)
Fryeburg Village to Chautauqua Grounds

Lewiston, Auburn, Augusta, Waterville, Bath, Brunswick, Freeport, Yarmouth, Topsham, Lisbon, Minot, Mechanic Falls, Turner, Greene, Sabattus, Webster, Litchfield, Wales, South Monmouth, Gardiner, West Gardiner, Farmingdale, Hallowell, Manchester, Winthrop, Chelsea (Togus), Vassalboro, East and West Vassalboro, and Winslow

Norway, Paris,  and South Paris

Rockland, St. George, Thomaston, South Thomaston (Crescent Beach, Owls' Head)

Rockland, Rockport, Camden, Thomaston, and Warren

Skowhegan and Norridgewock

Somerset Traction Company - 12.20 Miles
Skowhegan and Madison

Waterville, Fairfield, and Oakland Railway - 10.24 Miles
Waterville, Fairfield, and Oakland

Total Street Railway Mileage - 1915 - 518.63
Total Passengers Carried - 1915 - 57,422,739
Total Operating Revenue - 1915 - $3,066,924 (equivalent to about $70 million today)

Togus waiting station at Togus, Maine - Postcard from PWM

Click on the railways that have a link below for more on that particular line
Railways that operated in Maine during the Trolley Era
Bangor, Orono, & Old Town Railway (BSR)
Bangor & Northern Railroad (BSR)
Bangor Railway and Electric Company (BSR)
Fryeburg Horse Railroad - Never Electrified
Mousam River Railroad (S&CP)(ASL)
York Utilities Company (ASL)

One of the interurbans of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban westbound on
the S-curve at Morrison Hill in Cumberland, Maine.
Image from Seashore Trolley Museum collection of O. R. Cummings

These were proposed but never built trolley lines in Maine.
  • Auburn, Durham & Yarmouth Street Railway - 1907
  • Augusta, Oakland & Waterville Street Railway - 1906
  • Augusta & Togus Electric Railroad Company - 1900
  • Belfast Street Railway -1891
  • Biddeford Pool Electric Railroad -1902
  • Cherryfield and Milbridge Electric Railway - 1895
  • Eastern Traction Company - 1903
  • Kineo Street Railway - 1902
  • Lewiston, Winthrop & Augusta Street Railway - 1901
  • Lincoln County Street Railway - 1902
  • Lisbon, Durham & Freeport Street Railway - 1907
  • Maine and New Hampshire Railway - 1902
  • Mount Desert Transit Company - 1906
  • Oxford Central Electric Railroad - 1897
  • Peaks Island Electric Railway - 1900
  • Peaks Island Railroad - 1890
  • Portland & Brunswick Extension Railway - 1907(?)
  • Portland and Northern Railroad Company - 1907
  • Rumford Falls and Bethel Street Railway - 1907
  • Saco River Electric Railroad - 1897
  • York County Central Electric Railroad - 1900
  • York County Electric Railroad - 1899
  • York and Oxford Railway - 1907
  • Zig-Zag Railroad (Peaks Island) - 1891
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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 🙋. 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
Gold Book Award Winner plaque for
 Middle Reader category for The Eric
Hoffer Book Award. Congratulations to
award-winning Maine author,
Jean M. Flahive
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , , ,

Saturday, March 5, 2016

57 Million Passengers Carried on Electric Railways in Maine in 1915!!

Fair Week Passenger Travel - Three Duplex convertibles and a 14-bench open
on Main Street, Waterville, are jammed with passengers for the fairgrounds,
typical of the pre-automobile travel to special events. From: Waterville,
Fairfield, & Oakland Railway Company by O. R. Cummings, book dated
January 1, 1965.

57,422,739 total passengers were carried on the 520 miles of electric railway tracks in Maine in 1915!
Revenues generated from passenger, freight, and express services in 1915 totaled more than $3,000,000. That is equivalent to $70 million today.

To see the full page of the passenger counts for the major electric railways in Maine for 1915, you can go online to page 55 (the back cover) of the 1955 publication, Toonervilles of Maine, The Pine Tree State, at Bangor Public Library here.

Public Transportation was incredibly important in Maine's economic and social development late in the 19th century and early in the 20th century.

The passenger counts below seem crazy to us today. Seriously.....Crazy!

This map is of the Bangor-Old Town Division -
Bangor Street Railway by Charles D. Heseltine -
 book dated January-December 1974.

     Bangor, with a total population of about 20,000, was the first in the state of Maine to have an electric railway service. The first trial trip took place in the very early hours of April 29, 1889. Two closed cars provided the first public passenger trips on May 21, 1889. On this original 3-mile section of track, from May 21, 1889, through September 30, 1889, four closed cars and four open cars carried 215,547 passengers. During a single day of the State Fair in September that fall, 8,200 passengers were transported on these trolley cars! 

What was the total population of Maine in 1915? The 1910 census says 742,371. The 1920 census says 797,423. So, 1915 was somewhere in between. 

     I'm deep in researching materials involving electric streetcars, trolleys, and interurbans in Maine. The information will be used in part for a large grant application to help with the restoration of the 1912 Narcissus that operated on the Portland-Lewiston Interurban from 1914 till 1933. I'm feeling compelled to dig deep for the broader impact of electric railways' influences on Maine's economic growth and its implications on Maine's societal development. This blog post shares some of the early findings. It may take more than one blog post to disseminate the info :)

     The vast majority of the materials I will share have come from several books released by Seashore Trolley Museum's long-time historian, O. R. Cummings. Also, books by Charles D. Heseltine and Clark T. Irwin, Jr. 

     Please consider making a donation to the Narcissus Project. Funds are still needed to complete the restoration of the National Register of Historic Places member, Narcissus.  Scroll to the end of this post to find all donation options. All donations are currently matched, dollar-for-dollar, as part of a $40,000 matching grant challenge, thanks to the generous offer from the 20th Century Electric Railway Foundation!  Thank You :)

This map is the Bangor-Charleston Division. In total, Bangor
expanded the service over the years to have about 57 miles of service trackage. Passengers
carried in 1915: 6,571,038. In 1921 - 7,835,046. From: Bangor Street Railway
by Charles D. Heseltine - book dated January -December 1974

     As O. R. says in his intro in his September 1, 1955, book publication, Toonervilles of Maine: The Pine Tree State. "Maine is well known among New England's electric railway enthusiasts for its four major traction systems - the Atlantic Shore Line Railway, the Portland Railroad, the Lewiston, Augusta and Waterville Street Railway, and the Bangor Railway and Electric Company - and for its famous Portland-Lewiston Interurban as well! - but not so well known is the fact that the Pine Tree State had several small trolley lines, none over 15 miles in length, which were either contiguous to the larger systems or operated by themselves."

Rockport & Camden Railway -PWM postcard

     In the late 1880s/90s, when the fledgling electric companies in Maine were starting up, residential homes were not their market of choice. Initially, the usual market sequence was contracts to provide electricity to a town/city for electric lights on the main street(s), then electric railway companies (for
obvious reasons :), then industrial factories, and then later the residential market. A serious pursuit of the residential market didn't start until about 1910, after the cost of electricity had dropped to 2.5 cents per kilowatt-hour. Text from: The Light from the River: Central Maine Power's First Century of
Service by Clark T. Irwin, Jr, dated 1999. 

In 1910, only one in ten American homes had electricity. 
Farms' access to electricity took even longer - in the mid-1930s, 8,400 (17%) of Maine's 53,000 farms had electricity. 
The National average was 6%. From: The Light From the River by C.T. Irwin, Jr

     It was expensive to acquire the land, build the power plants and dams, and place poles and string wires for the new electric companies. Having long-term contracts and receiving funding advancements were important to the fledgling electric companies. When a new street railway signed a 30-year contract with a funding advance to the Massalonskee Electric Company, a power plant was completed in 1907 and began generating the power for the Waterville, Augusta, and Lewiston Railway in 1908. The railway provided $30,000 a year in electric revenue - nearly half of Massalonskee Electric Company's total revenues. Successes were leveraged and successes continued to mount. The electric company had 4,500 customers in 1909. In January 1910, the Massalonskee Electric Company changed its name to Central Maine Power. In 1919, CMP had 21,361 customers.

The Lewiston, Augusta, and Waterville Street Railway had
153 miles of service trackage. The Portland Railroad had
more than 80 miles of service trackage. From: Lewiston,
Augusta, Waterville Street Railway by O. R.
Cummings dated September 1, 1963. 

     The Lewiston, Augusta, and Waterville Street Railway's high point in passenger traffic was during the year ending December 31, 1917, when 15,499,524 riders traveled on the electric railway. 

     Where in the world did all these passengers come from? Or Where were they going? Simply stated, during those early years, the late 1880s/90s and early 20th century, the main mode of transportation was for folks to walk. Yes, a few folks had horses and carriages. But not most people. In Maine, roads were dirt in those days. Muddy in the spring and after it rained. The snow made travel challenging too. The trolleys were the most dependable means of year-round transportation for the public in the pre-automobile era. People tended to use the electric railways in Maine to go to work, go to town to shop, visit family, and recreate. With most workers working a six-day week, the electric railway companies often extended tracks to a destination for recreation. A park perhaps. Some parks had amusement rides that operated on railway electricity. Often, there was a "casino" at the destination. Casinos in those days were a place for music and dances and a restaurant. The beaches of southern Maine and the eastern coastline were major destinations. Inland, parks near a lake or a larger pond where picnics and canoeing took place were attractive to the public and summer visitors to Maine. O. R. states; No self-respecting street railway company considered itself complete without a pleasure resort...

Lake Grove Park at Auburn Lake. PWM postcard

 Passengers dressed to the "nines" pose at a stop during an excursion on the
popular parlor car "Merrymeeting" of the Lewiston, Augusta & Waterville
Street Railway. O. R. Cummings collection from NEERHS Library

The Portland Railroad system in 1903 had more than 500 employees, owned 217 passenger cars, and carried 13 million passengers in a single year between July 1, 1903, through June 30, 1904. 

Each of these open trolley cars, "Breezers", could carry 75 passengers.
PWM postcard

Each of these open trolley cars, "Breezers", could carry 75 passengers. How
many trolleys are lined up here in total? Amazing. The casino mentioned is
located where the photographer taking this image would be standing. See the
postcard below. PWM postcard

The casino at Riverton Park in Portland, Maine. Riverton Park was located
a few miles outside the downtown area of Portland. PWM postcard

Monument Square in downtown Portland, Maine. PWM postcard

The "Camilla" of the Portland & Brunswick Street Railway at the front of the
Casco Castle Park at South Freeport during the winter of 1903-04. From
the collection of O R Cummings, in his publication, Trolleys to Brunswick, Maine
1896-1937 by O. R. Cummings dated 1966.

The Berwick, Eliot & Dover Street Railway would become part of the 
more than 90 miles of service trackage. Including tracks from South Berwick,
Maine to Dover, New Hampshire, and railway-owned ferry service from
Kittery, Maine to Portsmouth, New Hampshire. From: Atlantic Shore Trolleys
by O. R. Cummings dated January 1, 1966

     The Atlantic Shore Line Railway's high point in passenger service was the year July 1, 1907, through June 30, 1908, when 5,881,581 riders traveled basically from Kittery to the connection at the Biddeford and Saco Railroad. Passengers enjoyed access to the beaches along the York County coastline. The ASL made a connection with the nearly 8 miles, Biddeford & Saco Railroad. In the summer, ASL passengers would transfer onto the B&S for a trip to Old Orchard Beach.

The Biddeford & Saco trolleys stopped at the Railroad crossing. From there it
was a short walk to the Pier in Old Orchard Beach. PWM postcard

The Pier at Old Orchard Beach had a casino at the end of the pier. At one
point, the pier stretched out 1,800 feet into the Atlantic Ocean. Summer
visitors are drawn to the beach and the other attractions offered there,
attributed to the strong ridership numbers in 1921 when 1,871,154 riders
traveled on the Biddeford & Saco Railroad. PWM postcard

Portland-Lewiston Interurban included about 34 miles of service trackage. Map
from: Maine's Fastest Electric Railroad: Portland-Lewiston interurban by
O. R. Cummings dated 1956

     The seven high-speed, luxury wooden interurbans, along with two additional traditional passenger cars, carried 7,302,000 passengers on the PLI line during the twenty years of operations between the major cities (1914-1933). The six original interurbans were named after flowers. The seventh interurban was built in 1920 and was named Maine.

     Restoration of the sole surviving PLI is underway. The Narcissus entered
Seashore Trolley Museum's Town House Restoration Shop on May 20, 2015. Complete restoration of the exterior of the Narcissus is phase one. 

Portland-Lewiston Interurban's, Narcissus, featured in Promo Material - PWM

     The four major electric railway systems above and the PLI may have been Maine's best known in New England, however, the other railway systems throughout Maine were well patronized during the early 20th century. The next Blog Post will delve into those smaller railways.

Click Here for the post: Ninety Communities in Maine with Electric Railway Service!
Click Here for the post: 57 Million Passengers Carried on Electric Railways in Maine in 1915!
Click Here for the post: Maine Bicentennial series - History of the Portland Railroad 1860-1941
Click Here for the post: Maine Bicentennial series - History of the Calais Street Railway 1894-1929
Click Here for the post: Maine Bicentennial series - History of Aroostook Valley Railroad 1909-1946
Click Here for the post: Maine Bicentennial series - Fryeburg Horse Railroad 1887-1913
Click Here for the post: Maine Bicentennial series - The Norway and Paris Street Railway 1894-1918
Click Here for the post: Maine Bicentennial series - Skowhegan & Norridgewock Railway 1894-1903
Click Here for the post: Maine Bicentennial series - Benton and Fairfield Railway 1898-1928
Click Here for the post: Maine Bicentennial series - The Somerset Traction Company 1895-1928
Click Here for the post: Maine Bicentennial series - The Fairfield and Shawmut Railway 1903-1927
Click Here for the post: Maine Bicentennial series - Waterville, Fairfield, & Oakland Rwy 1887-1937
Click Here for the post: Maine Bicentennial series - Trolleys to Augusta, Maine 1889-1932
Click Here for the post: Maine Bicentennial series - Rockland, South Thomaston, & St. George Rwy
Click Here for the post: Maine Bicentennial series - Biddeford and Saco Railroad Co. 1888-1939
Click Here for the post: Maine Bicentennial series - Mousam River Railroad - 1892-1899
Click Here for the post: Maine Bicentennial series - Sanford & Cape Porpoise Railway 1899-1904
Click Here for the post: Maine Bicentennial series - Portsmouth, Kittery & York St Rwy 1897-1903
Click Here for the post: Maine Bicentennial series - Bangor Street Railway 1889-1905
Click Here for the post: Maine Bicentennial series - Bangor Railway & Electric Company 1905-1925
Click Here for the post: Maine Bicentennial series - Bangor, Orono & Old Town Railway 1895-1905
Click Here for the post: Maine Bicentennial series - Bangor, Hampden & Winterport Rwy 1896-1905
Click Here for the post: Maine Bicentennial series - Penobscot Central Railway 1898-1906
Click Here for the post: Maine Bicentennial series - Bangor Hydro-Electric Company 1925-1945
Click Here for the post: Maine Bicentennial series - Lewiston, Brunswick & Bath St Rwy 1898-1907
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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 🙋. 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
Gold Book Award Winner plaque for
 Middle Reader category for The Eric
Hoffer Book Award. Congratulations to
award-winning Maine author,
Jean M. Flahive
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , , , , , , ,

Thursday, January 28, 2016

Vallee Family Pictures of the Narcissus - 1960s

J. Henri Vallee with the Narcissus in the background on March 5, 1969.
In the background, to the right, you can see the roof trusses for the
replacement summer camp that the Seashore Trolley Museum would build later
that year. The new three-room structure was to replace Vallee's summer
camp. In 1934, Mr. Vallee purchased the "body" of the Narcissus for $100
from the Portland-Lewiston Interurban in Lewiston, Maine, and then moved
to Sabattus, Maine, to become his family's summer camp. In this image,
the Narcissus was moved from its original position, which was behind the
tree seen here in the center of the image.
Image courtesy of Daniel Vallee.

Late last week, I received a package from Mr. Daniel Vallee. The package contained eighteen photographs of the Narcissus. Now, for many railway/railroad enthusiasts, this would signify images of the Narcissus in its glory days of being a magnificent representative of the high-speed, wooden electric interurbans of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban. The PLI operated between Portland, Maine, and Lewiston, Maine, from 1914 until 1933. The Narcissus is the lone surviving piece of rolling stock from the forward-thinking visionary, W. S. Libbey. The businessman who built what became known as the "Finest Electric Railroad in All-New England". This elegant, iconic piece of railway history, Narcissus, has been in the National Register of Historic Places since 1980. Some may think an image of Theodore Roosevelt aboard during his ride on Narcissus on August 18, 1914, may have been included in the collection.

But no. The pictures of the Narcissus in this package are not of this gem as it sits on rails in any one of the many communities it traveled through during its operating heyday. The images contained in this package are just as important in helping us tell the full life story of Narcissus. A story that is now more than 100 years old! The twenty years the Narcissus spent on the PLI rails helping to carry the 7.3 million passengers that traveled between Portland and Lewiston during that time is a very important chapter in its life, but not the only chapter. 

After the PLI ended operations, it sold many of the "bodies" of its rolling stock, including the interurbans. Mr. J. Henri Vallee purchased the body of the Narcissus in 1934. For $100! He moved it from Lewiston, Maine, to Sabattus, Maine, where it became the Vallee summer camp until 1969. Seashore Trolley Museum, in Kennebunkport, Maine, acquired the Narcissus from Mr. Vallee late in 1969. 

This past summer (2015), Mr. Vallee's son, Daniel Vallee, read his local Lewiston-area newspaper and its story about his former summer camp residence under restoration at Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport. He made a phone call to the Seashore Trolley Museum and made arrangements to visit the Narcissus. Daniel spent the first eighteen summers of his life using the Narcissus as his summer home in Sabattus! During his visit, he mentioned he would look through his family "archives" :) for photos of the Narcissus. 

Presented here are many of those Vallee family photos that include the Narcissus. On behalf of the Museum and the Narcissus, I want to say Thank You! We owe the Vallee family a tremendous debt of gratitude for bringing the Narcissus into their family and keeping the Narcissus safe for thirty-five years. If not for Daniel's father purchasing the Narcissus in 1934, who knows what the future would have had in store for the Narcissus? We do know the fate of its sister interurbans, Arbutus, Gladiolus, Clematis, Azalea, Magnolia, and Maine. But for a few clerestory stained glass windows from the Arbutus, abandoned sections of the right-of-way repurposed power stations and carbarns, and assorted ephemera here and there, all other remnants of the "Grand Old Interurban" are gone. 

Please consider making a donation to the Narcissus Project. Funds are still needed to complete the restoration of the Narcissus.  Scroll to the end of this post to find all donation options. Thank You :)

Narcissus, snowbound on March 5, 1969. It would still be several months
before the Narcissus would make its way to the Seashore Trolley Museum
in Kennebunkport. Image courtesy of Daniel Vallee

Narcissus was the Vallee family summer camp from 1934 until
1969. Image courtesy of Daniel Vallee.

To see a short movie clip of Narcissus taken during a railroad fan trip in the late 1930s/early 40s

J. Henri Vallee (left) with his son, Daniel Vallee, relaxing inside their
summer cottage, Narcissus. The image is dated June 1965. In the
background, you see the room that was attached to the body of the
Narcissus. A kitchen/dining room is seen in the background.
Image courtesy of Daniel Vallee.

Looking at the narrow doorway of the Number 1 end of the Narcissus. The
smoking compartment area is through the doorway, then onto the vestibule
of the # 1 end. The entrance to the attached kitchen/dining area is to the left,
out of sight from the angle this photo was taken. The date written on the back
of this photo is July 8, 1961. Left to Right - Venerand Paquette,
Billy Paquette, Rose Marie Paquette, J. Henri Vallee.
Image courtesy of Daniel Vallee.

I am very happy to report that I have received several responses to the request to ID individuals who helped with the Narcissus transition from Sabattus to the Seashore Trolley Museum campus from 1968 until late 1969. Names will be inserted as they become available.

Donald G. Curry/STM image.
The image above: Seashore Trolley Museum staff and volunteers assess the Narcissus and best practices for separating the attached kitchen/dining room. They would then move the Narcissus from this location to a location nearer the road for a better loading position. Probably the late fall of 1968. Personal recollections from Jack Murray include, "I'm in the panoramic shot of the crew getting ready to separate the el from the car body; the ell will be moved back and the car body toward the road (slid on blocking, pulled with Coffin hoists) so that the new cottage could go up in the same spot. My recollection is that this was done during school Christmas vacation (1968), with the crew being myself (Jack Murray), my cousin Paul, and Russell Bryant (all students at Cape Elizabeth High School (ME), Donald (Curry), John Coughlin, and Bill Dox (the driving force behind the project). Russell is side to the camera, striding to the left, I'm (Jack) behind him with his back to the camera." If you recognize any of these folks, please forward the name and their position in this photo to Phil Morse via e-mail at p.morse31@gmail.com or call 207-985-9723.

Narcissus in the early spring of 1969. The attached kitchen/dining room
was removed. You can see the stack of wood materials that will be used
to construct the three-room replacement summer camp.
Donald G. Curry/STM image.

Narcissus is on the far left with the utility meter hanging down. Trusses in
the background, leaning against the removed kitchen/dining room. You
can also see the remaining footings that the Narcissus had been removed
from. It was relocated nearer the road for easier loading onto the trailer.
Probably late spring of 1969. Donald G. Curry/STM image.

Seashore Trolley Museum volunteers work to position the Narcissus on
the trailer. Then, the trip to the Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine.
Sept/Oct 1969. The number 1 end is to the right. If you recognize any of
these folks, please forward the name and their position in this photo to
Phil Morse via email at p.morse31@gmail.com or call 207-985-9723.
Image courtesy of Daniel Vallee.

Narcissus is secured to the trailer. The tractor-trailer set up was affectionately
called the "Highway Monster" by Seashore Trolley Museum volunteers. The
Highway Monster was used by Museum volunteers to bring various streetcars,
interurbans, and related equipment from destinations
throughout the USA to the Kennebunkport campus. You can see the beautiful
three-room summer camp replacement for the Narcissus in the background.
October 1969. Image courtesy of Daniel Vallee

Final farewell photo with the Seashore Trolley Museum volunteers, Vallee
family members, and other interested individuals. If you recognize anyone
in this image, please forward the name and their position in this photo to
Phil Morse via email at p.morse31@gmail.com or call 207-985-9723. Late
October 1969. Marie Vallee is third from the right. Image courtesy
of Daniel Vallee.

Seashore Trolley Museum's Highway Monster with the Narcissus receiving
final adjustments from Museum volunteers before making the trek to the
Museum campus in Kennebunkport, Maine, late in October 1969. From this
angle, you can see where the kitchen/dining room was attached. The number 1 end
 is facing the tractor. The large arch window where the top of the ladder is
placed over-identifies where the smoking compartment is located. The 
Narcissus would later make their way to Lewiston and have banners placed on
each side. These banners would advertise the need for funds to restore the
Narcissus also serves as a way to thank all the businesses that donated
materials, money, and contributions-in-kind, such as skilled labor to build
the three-room replacement summer camp. Image courtesy of Daniel Vallee.

Daniel Vallee at Seashore Trolley Museum on July 31, 2015.
Image courtesy of Patricia Pierce Erikson
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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 🙋. 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
Gold Book Award Winner plaque for
 Middle Reader category for The Eric
Hoffer Book Award. Congratulations to
award-winning Maine author,
Jean M. Flahive
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Saturday, January 9, 2016

Film Footage of Narcissus when a Summer Camp 1938

Looking at the # 1 end of the Narcissus when it was a summer camp in
Sabattus, Maine - (1934-1969) STM Collection


Short Clip is from a fan trip in the late 1930s that happens to pass by the Narcissus in Sabattus, Maine, when it was a summer camp. The footage is from the O. R. Cummings Collection at Northeast Historic Film (P.O. Box 900, 85 Main Street, Bucksport, Maine 04416) and is used here with permission from NHF.

The 1912 Portland-Lewiston Interurban No. 14, Narcissus, was one of the elegant, high-speed,
wooden interurban coaches operating between Portland, Maine, and Lewiston, Maine, from 1914 until 1933. The body of Narcissus was purchased for $100 by Mr. J. Henry Vallee from the owner of the Sabattus Lake Diner. It served as the family summer camp until 1969, when the Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport acquired it to restore it to full operating status on its heritage railway. The Narcissus is currently under restoration.

http://oldfilm.org/collection/index.php/Detail/Collection/Show/collection_id/205

The footage is from the O. R. Cummings Collection at Northeast Historic Film. 

A full DVD of the fan trip is available for sale at the Seashore Trolley Museum Store. www.trolleymuseum.org  - 207-967-2712

For more information on the Narcissus Restoration now underway, go to the Narcissus Project Blog:


Summary of DVD contents from Northeast Historic Film:
The collection contains Maine trolley footage of the Androscoggin and Kennebec Railway, Portland Railroad Company, and Biddeford & Saco Railroad. This short amateur film was released by the Portland Division of the Electric Railroaders’ Association, and the creator shot intertitles and animated map sequences to show the routes of each trolley, the scenery along the track, and interior shots of passengers.

Biographical/Historical Notes
Gerald O. Boothby, a friend of O.R. Cummings, photographed the trolley railroad footage. The footage was taken for the now-defunct Portland Division of the Electric Railroad Association, of which Boothby was a member.

The reel has fairly heavy scratching throughout. // Along with reel 2, does contains trolley footage of Androscoggin & Kennebec Railway, Portland Railroad Company, and Biddeford & Saco Railroad. // Documents an excursion made by the Portland Division of the Electric Railroaders' Association and features extensive footage of electric trolleys/streetcars moving on city streets and through rural areas. Features intertitles with maps highlighting specific routes of the trolleys. Scenes from each route follow the intertitles. The opening title reads: 'The fans leave Portland via the Canadian National Railway.' A Group of people stands waving in front of a locomotive. The first map shows, Mechanic Falls to Lewiston route through Hackett Mills, Minot, and Auburn. The scene with the trolley leaving Mechanic Falls. Shot of a trolley coming over Hackett's Mills bridge and moving on rails beside a street. Footage of trolleys in Minot. Interior of trolley car entering Auburn. Passengers get off the trolley at Huelett Square in Lewiston. Map illustrating, Lewiston to Lake Grove route through Auburn and Perryville. Footage of the 'figure 8 route in Auburn.' Map illustrating, Lewiston to Sabbatus route through Tarr's Corner. A man, possibly a conductor, is waving as the trolley passes by on track at Tarr's Corner while another trolley waits on other tracks. View from a trolley on Main Street in Sabattus. Shots from the trolley with Maine Central Railroad tracks running alongside. Map illustrating, Lewiston to Lisbon Falls route through Lisbon Center and Frost Park. Shot of a trolley leaving Huelett Square in Lewiston. Trolley riding on the elevated bridge over Maine Central Railroad tracks. Footage of tracks in Lisbon Falls, Frost Park, and Lisbon was taken from a moving trolley.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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 first captivates, then fascinates, and then generates interest to learn more 🙋. 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
Gold Book Award Winner plaque for
 Middle Reader category for The Eric
Hoffer Book Award. Congratulations to
award-winning Maine author,
Jean M. Flahive
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , , , , ,
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)