George E. Cousins dressed as Uncle Sam, riding his
"high-wheel" "Penny-farthing" bicycle on Main Street,
Kennebunk, during the U.S. Bicentennial parade.
George and Sylvia Cousins owned the Old Corner Grocery.
August 18, 1914, the former President of the United States (POTUS),
Theodore Roosevelt invited George to be a guest as they traveled
by train to Lewiston. Later that day, they were passengers on the Narcissus,
from Lewiston to Portland. The Narcissus
is currently being restored at the Seashore Trolley Museum :)
Updated 7-12-2026
May 31, 2026, Joe Banavige released this wonderful American 250 Tribute to William W " Bill" Sewall, TR's Maine guide (along with Wilmot Dow, Bill's nephew)
I first started researching Theodore Roosevelt in 2010. As a volunteer at Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine, overseeing the Narcissus project (Roosevelt was a passenger on the Narcissus on August 18, 1914), I felt the need to learn more about Roosevelt's visit to Maine. This initial research piqued my curious nature. I wanted to learn more about Theodore Roosevelt and his various visits to Maine.
Twelve years later, that seed of curiosity has taken root and blossomed into the development of what is the Theodore Roosevelt Maine Heritage Trail: Connecting Maine Communities. Insight throughout the State of Maine is what this trail provides by tracing and describing Theodore Roosevelt's connections with each of these communities.
Each community is identified with a star with a number or
a moose with a letter. The key to the logo landmarks is below.
Each moose represents a community that has an indirect
connection with Roosevelt, meaning he may not have paid the
community a visit, and there is a meaningful connection to Roosevelt
in that community. The stars indicate a community
that Roosevelt visited and probably engaged with the people.
And/or the local geography. As research continues, other
communities will be added to the logo.
Over the ensuing weeks, each of these
communities/landmarks with its Roosevelt
connections will have a separate page describing
details of TR's connections. Each will also
have a link or links to local resources/venues.
Today, we describe "Star 1" shown on the list (key) above - Kennebunk - August 18, 1914
Until last week, I was unaware that Theodore Roosevelt actually had a direct connection with my hometown, Kennebunk, Maine. I knew that on several occasions, over many years, he was a passenger on trains in Maine, but I had read that his trains generally passed through the railroad station in Kennebunk after he was POTUS.
There is a need for additional research on TR's stop at the Kennebunk railroad station in 1912, when he was the Progressive Party candidate for President. This visit is mentioned in the 1914 newspaper article. It refers to the size of the crowd greeting TR in 1914, which was about twice the size of the crowd that was at the station to greet him on his 1912 campaign visit.
On the occasion of TR's August 18, 1914, visit, he was traveling in a private car named the "Hester," and the train did stop in Kennebunk, where Roosevelt engaged with local residents who had gathered at the station to try and catch a glimpse or perhaps receive a handshake.
Theodore Roosevelt's private railroad parlor car,
"Hester" - Lewiston Evening Journal
August 18, 1914, page 9
This is the Sandford & Cape Porpoise waiting station on
Summer Street. Constructed in 1902 on the northwesterly
end of the bridge passing over the B&M Railroad on Summer
Street in Kennebunk. It was designated as the electric railway's
Kennebunk Station was complete with a lunch counter
and restroom facilities. It was a short walk across the
street and down the hill to the B&M Kennebunk railroad station.
A strong likelihood that some folks used trolleys to
travel to the Kennebunk railroad station to try and see Roosevelt
on August 18, 1914.
O. R. Cummings Collection
The B&MRR passenger station at Summer Street, Kennebunk,
was where a couple of hundred local residents were trying
to connect with Theodore Roosevelt on August 18, 1914.
Many were successful :) PWM Postcard Collection
The first newspaper clipping I read mentioned Roosevelt's train stopping at the Kennebunk station. It was in the Lewiston Evening Journal, August 18, 1914, on page 9. It was a simple statement - "At Kennebunk, a Lewiston Journal reporter boarded the car and was immediately ushered into Col. Roosevelt's apartment."
I was very surprised to read an account of a train of Roosevelt's stopping at Kennebunk. Based on the reporter being rushed aboard the train and into Roosevelt's private car, I wasn't thinking that Roosevelt didn't take any time to engage with local residents who may have been present. Roosevelt was greatly admired by Maine residents. It was not unusual for many local residents to gather at the local stations even if Roosevelt's train was simply passing through.
Theodore Roosevelt's train stopped at the Kennebunk Railroad
Station to pick up a Lewiston newspaper reporter.
Lewiston Evening Journal - August 18, 1914, page 9
However, there have been times in the past when I have been pleasantly surprised by the next steps to extend the research in hopes of finding more details. So, I reached out to local historian Sharon Cummins, who is on staff at the Kennebunkport Historical Society. I shared the Lewiston newspaper clip, briefly mentioning the Roosevelt train stop at the Kennebunk train station, and asked to look at local Kennebunk newspapers around August 18th for any additional coverage of Roosevelt's stop in Kennebunk.
Sharon located a wonderful article describing Roosevelt's stop at the Kennebunk station and his engagement with local residents in the August 19, 1914, issue of the Kennebunk Enterprise.
The next day, August 19, 1914, the activities of the previous day at the Kennebunk
Railroad Station was mentioned in the Kennebunk Enterprise.
Image of the Kennebunk Enterprise courtesy of
Ibid
One welcomed visitor that Roosevelt greeted at the Kennebunk station was George E. Cousins, of the Old Corner Grocery, and a resident of Kennebunk. George, an "enthusiastic Progressive," was invited to join Roosevelt during his travels for the rest of the day. They both were passengers on No. 14, Narcissus, 1912, a high-speed luxury interurban coach of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban (PLI).
I smile when I read the opening sentence of the paragraph that begins with "The special car...Narcissus..."
This article states that the Narcissus reached the Falmouth Hotel at about 5:45. Well, the Narcissus actually stopped at Monument Square. Roosevelt was then transported by automobile to the Falmouth Hotel on Middle Street, just a short distance from Monument Square.
Ibid
Ibid
I also reached out to Leanne Hayden, Collections Manager at the
Brick Store Museum. And asked if she could look through the museum's collection for local news, etc., about Roosevelt's train making a stop at the Kennebunk railroad station, and perhaps info on George E. Cousins. I recalled my grandparents and my father mentioning George over the years.
Leanne located a write-up on Roosevelt's stop at Kennebunk on August 18, 1914, in the Eastern Star. The article mentions George Cousins as a guest of the former POTUS and that Mr. L. R. Williams of Ogunquit, a candidate for Representative, was on the train with Roosevelt and Cousins to Lewiston. And as passengers aboard the Narcissus from Lewiston to Portland.
Eastern Star August 19, 1914
Ibid
Ibid
I am totally thrilled to now have a direct hometown connection with Theodore Roosevelt, Narcissus, and Kennebunk.
Theodore Roosevelt addressed a crowd on August 18, 1914,
in Gray, ME. TR is aboard the high-speed, luxury coach,
Portland-Lewiston Interurban No. 14, Narcissus.
George E. Cousins of Kennebunk is also aboard.
The Narcissus is undergoing restoration at
A portion of my collection of TR-related books :)
Click Here: For the list of links to
Theodore Roosevelt Maine Heritage Trail Posts in Easy Order to View
We continue the
restoration work on the 1912
Narcissus, the only surviving high-speed, luxury interurban coach of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban.
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 captivate, fascinate, then generate 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 donating today!
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 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
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