double-truck open trolley cars were
built at PRR's own Bennett Street carhouse
shop on Munjoy Hill fin 1892 for use specifically in Westbrook.
Seen here is No. 77, one of the four open cars that were built in 1892.
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_36_040
Photo and research resources used in this blog post are courtesy of Seashore Trolley Museum's Library; specifically from the O. R. Cummings Collection and Phil Morse (PWM), and O. R. Cummings books, "Portland Railroad" Part 1, 1957, and Part 2, 1959, and the Osher Maps Library at the Smith Center for Cartographic Education at University of Southern Maine Portland Campus, 314 Forest Avenue, Portland, ME 04101.
Monument Square in Portland, Maine was the hub for all the early horse-drawn and electric railway systems running into and out of Portland. This blog features the high-speed, luxury interurban, No. 14, Narcissus of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban (PLI) that is now being restored at Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine. The Narcissus and nine other Maine vehicles used on electric railways have been listed in the National Register of Historic Places since 1980. Though we are deep into the research of information and materials related to the PLI and the Narcissus for use in creating the interpretation portion of the Narcissus project, it's too hard to resist posting other interesting electric railway tidbits from Maine's transportation history. With that in mind, from 1914 until 1933, the Narcissus, as a PLI interurban, operated in and out of Monument Square to pick up and discharge passengers. As we approach Maine's Bicentennial year (2020), this blog will release posts that relate to many electric railway operations throughout the State of Maine. One of the first in the series will be a more comprehensive look at the Portland Railroad. The 470 Railroad Club in Portland will host a public presentation on the history of the Portland Railroad beginning at 7 p.m. on October 17, 2018, at 75 State Street, Portland, Maine; the entrance to the meeting hall is on Gray Street between Gray & Park Street.
This blog post will be a bit of a teaser for that presentation at the 470 Railroad Club next month (Oct. 2018) and will show a few images of the Portland Railroad system as it first serviced Westbrook, then later expanded to serve the communities of Gorham and So. Windham.
Click Here to go to the post: Maine Bicentennial - Portland Railroad: A History of Public Transportation 1860-1941
Click Here to go to the post: Portland Railroad - Forest Avenue to Riverton Park Revisited
Click Here to go to the post: Portland Railroad - Congress St. Revisited: Monument Sq.-Union Sta
Click Here to go to the post: Portland Railroad - South Portland & Cape Elizabeth Revisited
Click Here to go to the post: Portland Railroad - Munjoy Hill Revisited
Click Here to go to the post: Trolleys Through Scarborough, Maine
Click Here to go to the post: Portland-Lewiston Interurban No. 14, West Falmouth, Maine
Stroudwater Village - horsecar trolley service starting in
August of 1891. Stroudwater, like Deering, was originally
a part of Westbrook, and later annexed to Portland.
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_31_043
Stroudwater - August 31, 2018 - PWM
The church on the left is the same structure as the photo above.
Westbrook, Maine - Late in 1891, the Portland Railroad was successful in receiving authority to build the Westbrook Extension. Two routes were considered; the first was extending the line from Stroudwater, along Westbrook Road to Westbrook. The second route and the one selected, extended from Woodford's Corner in Deering, through Woodford Street, and along Brighton Avenue to Cumberland Mills and Westbrook. In June 1891, the Portland Railroad had electrified its Deering line. The new Westbrook line extension would open as an electrified line on June 29, 1892.
The Westbrook line of the Portland Railroad was
electrified before the Munjoy Hill section in Portland.
Most of the early electric cars for Westbrook operations
were kept in the Beckett Street carbarn on Munjoy Hill.
Here is an image of horses towing an electrified
trolley from the Beckett Street carbarn on its way to
Monument Square. Monument Square was electrified and
the Westbrook-bound car could then be used on the Westbrook
line. This horse transfer took place in 1895.
Courtesy of O.R. Cummings' book,
"Portland Railroad - Part 1" April 1957.
Postcard date-stamped July 10, 1911, showing a PRR trolley
car on Main Street in Westbrook, ME. The stone building on
the right is Walker Public Library at 795 Main Street.
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_36_030
Walker Library at 795 Main Street Westbrook.
Image from Google Maps 2018
The Westbrook line was busy in the early years
of operation and it was customary for several years for an open
trolley car such as No. 77 seen here, having a former open
horsecar trolley as a trailer to carry the increase in passengers.
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_36_057
PRR No. 175 at the end of the line on the western end of
Main Street in Westbrook. The trolley pole is set up for a return to
Portland c 1930 - Westbrook Tire Shop offering Fisk Tires
in the background - right. No. 175 was built for the PRR by
the J. G. Brill Co., in Philadelphia, PA in 1902.
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_36_039
Portland Railroad No. 155 is a 14-bench, double-truck
open trolley car built for the PRR in 1901 by the J. G.
Brill Co., in Philadelphia, PA. Seen here probably on the
Westbrook-Gorham line loading passengers for a lovely
summer trip to Portland.
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_36_061
A reprinted map, circa 1910, "Trolleying
Through the Heart of Maine."
Distributed by the Portland Railroad
and the Lewiston, Augusta, and
Waterville Street Railway. Courtesy
Seashore Trolley Museum
Plate #9 -Portland, Westbrook.
Gorham, and South Windham line.
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library
The Illustrated Atlas of Maine's Street and
Electric Railways 2015
Gorham, Maine - Three years after the Portland Railroad (PRR) opened its Westbrook line, the PRR organized the Portland Extension Railroad in July 1895, to extend the line 4 miles to Gorham. Legal issues stalled plans until January 1901, when the PRR gained stock control of the Westbrook, Windham & Naples Railway. A route from Mosher's Corner to Gorham Village was laid out and construction began. On June 21, 1901, the first electric car entered the village, followed on June 26 by another car carrying a party of about 30 Eastern Starr members and one Railroad Commissioner. Regular service followed.
Central Square Gorham, ME - June 1901
J. A. Waterman Glass Plate Negative Collection
Central Square, Gorham, ME - June 1901
J. A. Waterman Glass Plate Negative Collection
Central Square, Gorham, ME
Image from Google Maps 2018
The home on the left is at 48 Main Street, Gorham 1904
J. A. Waterman Glass Plate Negative Collection
Title: Main Street Winter 1904
Image from Google Maps 2018
Central Square, Gorham
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_36_060
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_36_044
A busy day in Gorham, ME as five 14-bench open trolley
cars, each with at least 75 passengers, are in line preparing to
leave Central Square.
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_36_058
South Windham, Maine - The Portland Railroad had competitors for providing electric railway service to Westbrook, Gorham, and South Windham. These challenges were part of what caused delays in constructing the line. One of the competitors was the Westbrook, Windham & Naples Railway (first known as the Westbrook, Windham & Harrison Railway) first graded a right-of-way from Westbrook to South Windham in the fall of 1898; following the old Gorham Road from Westbrook to Mosher's Corner and then continuing on to South Windham. By early July of 1899, rails had been laid from Westbrook to Mosher's Corner and overhead was being erected. Early in August, the first trolley car was tested on the line. The grand opening in South Windham took place on August 17, 1899. Stock control of the Westbrook, Windham, & Naples Railway was achieved by the PRR in January 1901.
No. 3 was one of the two original closed trolley cars from
1899 by the American Car Company in St. Louis, MO for the
Westbrook, Windham & Naples Railway. c 1899
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_36_051
No. 3 clearly had trouble staying on the tracks this day.
c 1899
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_36_052
An open trolley car in South Windham. The sign reads, J. H.
Kilgore - Livery.
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_36_049
Passengers traveling on trolley cars heading to and returning
from the Westbrook line (South Windham, Gorham, and
Westbrook) to access parts of Portland would travel
along Brighton Avenue to Woodford Street then
to Woodford's Corner. Seen here is the intersection of
Brighton Ave. and Woodford St where
Woodford Street is on the left of the gas station. The trolley
is stopped on Brighton Ave. where Colonial Road
connects.
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_31_017
No. 158 in the snow with destination sign; South Windham
via Brighton Avenue. 158 was built in 1901 by the
J. G. Brill Co., for operation on the Westbrook line of PRR.
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_36_062
Half of the original electric trolley car fleet of the Westbrook,
Windham & Naples Railway. No. 4 open trolley car
and No. 1 closed trolley car with a trailer that was a
horsecar from the Boston West End system.
The trailer was scrapped immediately following the PRR
takeover of the WW&N Railway. This image c 1900
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_36_067
We are still in need of funds for creating the interpretation programs that will tell this fascinating 100+-year-old story of the Narcissus. For information on donation options, scroll down this post and find the one that best fits your position. Fund 816 to help with the restoration and Fund 817 (PLI Education-Interpretation programs ) should be noted when making a donation.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Click Here for the post that has the short virtual 3-D video of the digital model of the Narcissus, with components added to the file from earlier this year (the gold leaf file had not been added yet).
Restoration work continues on the Narcissus. The Narcissus is more than 110 years old now and has so many incredible stories to share. The restoration of this majestic icon of Maine's electric railway history is but one of those incredible stories.
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.
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
Seashore Trolley Museum Promo Video
The paperback edition of Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride can be purchased online through the Seashore Trolley Museum's store website. Books purchased through the Museum's website directly benefit the Museum and the Narcissus project.
Click Here to go to the Museum Store web page to order online
Click Here to go to the Amazon page to order the ebook or audiobook online
Paperback books are available at these local bookstores in Maine:
Center for Maine Crafts, West Gardiner Service Plaza
The Book Review, Falmouth
The Bookworm, Gorham
Letterpress Books, Portland
Maine Historical Society Store, Portland
Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad, Portland
Morph Gallery & Emporium, Kennebunk
New Gloucester Historical Society, New Gloucester
Nonesuch Books and More, South Portland
Seashore Trolley Museum, Kennebunkport
Sherman's Maine Coast Book Shops, All Locations
Thompson's Orchard, New Gloucester
Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride
by Jean M. Flahive
Illustrations by Amy J. Gagnon
Listen to a 2-minute, 30-second, Retail Audio Sample of the Audiobook
Millie Thayer is a headstrong farmer's daughter who chases her dreams in a way you would expect a little girl nicknamed "Spitfire" would run full tilt and with her eyes on the stars. Dreaming of leaving the farm life, working in the city, and fighting for women's right to vote, Millie imagines flying away on a magic carpet. One day, that flying carpet shows up in the form of an electric trolley that cuts across her farm. A fortune-teller predicts that Millie's path will cross that of someone famous. Suddenly, she finds herself caught up in events that shake the nation, Maine, and her family. Despairing that her dreams may be shattered, Millie learns, in an unexpected way, that dreams can be shared.
A resource for teachers
Companion curriculum State-standard-based units,
vocabulary, and reading activities for use in grades 3-8
are available online as downloadable resources through
Seashore Trolley Museum's website
www.trolleymuseum.org/elegantride/
Maine Historical Society has created eight companion lesson units in Social Studies and ELA that were inspired by Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride - These State-standard-based lesson plans for use in grades 6, 7, and 8 are easily adapted for use in grades 3-5. Vocabulary and Reading activities for grades 3-8 along with the eight lesson plan units are available free and may be downloaded through Seashore Trolley Museum's website www.trolleymuseum.org/elegantride/
Go to the Teacher Resource Page in the pull-down for more details.
A 60-second intro to Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride by author, Jean Flahive
Click Here to watch the video on YouTube
Award-winning author, Jean M. Flahive
Please Consider a Donation to the Narcissus Project to help us tell the incredible story of the Narcissus through the interpretation portion of the Narcissus Project.
Here is an example of how donations to the Narcissus Project now will help with the interpretation portion of the project. The interpretation programming will include exhibits, displays, and education programming. In 2019, through generous donations to the Narcissus Project, we were able to conserve, replicate, and have high resolutions digital image files made of the original, 1910, 28.5-foot long, surveyor map of the elevation and grade of the 30-mile private right-of-way of the Portland, Gray, and Lewiston Railroad (Portland-Lewiston Interurban) Click Here
Thank You!
the crowd gathered in Gray, Maine on August 18, 1914.
Image courtesy of Gray Historical Society
The Narcissus as the Sabattus Lake Diner in Sabattus, Maine,
circa 1940. Photo by John Coughlin in the Kevin Farrell
Collection at Seashore Trolley Museum
L. Henri Vallee (right) and family members in the
Narcissus, when it was Vallee's summer camp in
Sabattus, Maine circa 1958. Photo courtesy Daniel Vallee
Inside the Donald G. Curry Town House Restoration Shop, the Narcissus is in the midst of major work as we strive to complete its restoration. We are now planning the interpretation portion of the Narcissus Project. Donations to the Narcissus Project may be used in the future to help tell the incredible 100-plus-year-old story of the Narcissus. Your donation to the Narcissus is helping to make the dream of the project's success, a reality.
See below for Donation options -
It starts with YOU
Your Donation Matters
Make a Donation TODAY
Please Help the Narcissus.
Donation Options to Help the Narcissus Project:
The New England Electric Railway Historical Society
is the 501c3 organization that owns and operates the Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, ME, and the National Streetcar
Museum in Lowell (MA).
The New England Electric Railway Historical Society registered with the IRS (EIN# 01-0244457) and was incorporated in Maine in 1941.
Check or Money Order ***** should be made payable to:
New England Electric Railway Historical Society
In the memo: for a donation to the Interpretation programming
please write: PLI Education Fund 817
For a donation to help with the restoration write: Narcissus Fund 816
Mail to: Seashore Trolley Museum
P. O. Box A
Kennebunkport, ME 04046
Credit Card ***** donations can be one-time donations or you
may choose to have a specific amount charged to your card
automatically each month. Please contact the Museum bookkeeper, via email at finance@trolleymuseum.org or by phone, at 207-967-2800 ext. 3.
Online Donations - may be made by using a Credit Card:
Click Here to make an online donation through the Museum's website - When at the Donation page: Fill in donor info, etc., when at "To which fund are you donating? Scroll down to "Other" and type: 816 Narcissus, then continue filling in the required information.
Click Here for PayPal - to make an online donation: you can use email: finance@trolleymuseum.org and in the message box write:
For "Narcissus Fund 816" - if supporting the restoration
For "PLI Education Fund 817" - if supporting Interpretation programs
Donation of Securities ***** We also accept donations of
securities. You can contact the Museum bookkeeper, via email at finance@trolleymuseum.org or by phone, at 207-967-2800 ext. 3,
for brokerage account information for accepting donated securities.
BONUS ***** If you work for a company/corporation that will
"match" an employee's donation to an approved 501c3 non-profit
educational organization, please be sure to complete the necessary paperwork with your employer so that your donation is matched :)
Questions? ***** Please contact Narcissus project sponsor:
Phil Morse, narcissus@gmail.org or call 207-985-9723 - cell.
Thank You :)
Thank You for our Current Funding Partners
* 20th Century Electric Railway Foundation - 2020/2018 - Major Gift, 2017/2014 Matching Grants
* Renaissance Charitable Foundation (LPCT) by Fiduciary Trust Charitable Giving Fund
* Renaissance Charitable Foundation (LPCT) by Fiduciary Trust Charitable Giving Fund
* Mass Bay RRE - 2018 Railroad Preservation Grant
* Thornton Academy (Saco, ME) - Staff & Alumni - Matching Grant Challenge 2014
* New England Electric Railway Historical Society (Kennebunkport, ME) - Member Donations
* Amherst Railway Society - 2015 Heritage Grant
* National Railway Historical Society - 2016 & 2015 Heritage Preservation Grants
* Enterprise Holding Foundation - 2015 Community Grant
* Theodore Roosevelt Association - Member Donations
* John Libby Family Association and Member Donations
* The Conley Family - In Memory of Scott Libbey 2018/2017/2016/2015
* The W. S. Libbey Family - Awalt, Conley, Graf, Holman, Libbey, McAvoy, McLaughlin, Meldrum, O'Halloran, Salto, - 2018/2017
* The Hughes Family 2017/2016/2010
* New Gloucester Historical Society and Member Donations
* Gray Historical Society and Member Donations
* Gray Public Library Association - Pat Barter Speaker Series
* Scarborough Historical Society - PRR/PLI
* LogMein - Matching Employee Donation
* IBM - Matching Employee/Retiree Donations
* Fidelity Charitable Grant - Matching Employee Donations
* Richard E. Erwin Grant - 2017/2016
The Narcissus, with interior back-lit, stained glass windows is majestic.
Make a donation today to help restore the interior of this Maine gem.
Help Theodore Roosevelt's Maine Ride get back on track! Once restored,
you will be able to ride in luxury on this National Register Treasure at
Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine.
PWM photo
Please Consider Making a Donation to the project of the National Register of Historic Places member, Narcissus. We are currently raising funds to advance the restoration and to tell the incredible story of this Maine gem.
Various News stories during the summer of 2015 about the
Narcissus and its connection to Theodore Roosevelt. TR
was a passenger on the Narcissus on August 18, 1914.
photo by Patricia Pierce Erikson
The Narcissus - July 31, 2015. Make a donation today.
Help Theodore Roosevelt's Maine Ride get back on track!
Once restored, you will be able to ride in luxury on this
National Historic Treasure at
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