Roosevelt Trail in Fryeburg, Me. No description on the back.
Theodore Roosevelt did not personally travel on this route
between Portland and Fryeburg. This route became part of
national recognition by states to honor the former POTUS.
The postmark is not legible. PWM postcard
Update 11-3-2022
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. That initial research piqued my curious nature to want to learn more about Theodore Roosevelt.
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, but 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.
Logo: "Designs by Reece" - Reece Saunders
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(s) to local resources/venues.
Key by "Designs by Reece" - Reece Saunders
Today, we describe the Theodore Roosevelt International Highway shown as ---- on the list (key) above - Portland-Fryeburg circa 1921
Growing up and living in southern Maine, I had not heard of the Theodore Roosevelt International Highway (TRIH). However, over the years, when driving westerly on Route 302 from Portland to say, Windham, I would see various addresses with "Roosevelt Trail" as the destination route. So, I wondered what connection there might be between Theodore Roosevelt and Route 302 in Maine. In my research, I have acquired a few vintage postcards, found a couple of maps, that refer to the TRIH, and also found a link to the 1921 map of the TRIH in the State of Montana. This is a wonderful guide to read through :)
The Montana map includes pages briefly describing various sections of the highway from Maine to Oregon. Below is page seven titled; Over T.R. Highway: Highway Displays America's Glory. The page gives some background on tourist travel in general and how the TRIH was going to make a positive impact on tourism in the states in the northern parts of the U.S.A.
"There is one answer to how much of this has been brought about, and that is the Theodore Roosevelt International Highway, the most wonderful highway in all of America."
The explanation goes on to describe the start of the highway in the east in Portland, Maine.
Introduction
"From the first edition (June 1, 1921)of the complete official guidebook
through Montana on the Theodore
Roosevelt International Highway. It
is published by the Montana Division
(of the Theodore Roosevelt International
Highway) solely for the benefit and use of
the ever-increasing number of motorists
who travel across, partly across, this great
new northern empire." The reprint was
done in cooperation with MDOT,
Pioneer Museum, and Montana
Historical Society
Me. This is the starting point of the 4,060 miles of the
Theodore Roosevelt International Highway in the east.
PWM postcard
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow may best be known as an iconic American figure in literature. He is honored in numerous ways throughout his hometown, Portland, Maine. I was surprised to learn that he has a Maine connection to Theodore Roosevelt, through more than just their shared passion for literature.
The bronze statue of Longfellow seated in the heart of Longfellow Square was dedicated in September 1888. Originally, State Street passed the statue on both sides. That no longer is the case. State Street, heading northwest from the square is where the Theodore Roosevelt International Highway (TRIH) began its long and winding trek through the northern border of the United States and even into Ontario, Canada for a stint. That Canadian segment gives the highway its international flavor. The TRIH comes to an end, 4,060 miles from the Longfellow statue in Portland, Maine, to a statue of Theodore Roosevelt at Park Avenue in Portland, Oregon. The route takes one along the northern border between the U.S. and Canada.
Click Here to read the Wikipedia history of the TRIH
Click Here: to read a more detailed summary of the TRIH by Feliks Banel on Oct. 8, 2021
Click Here to read the February 24, 2020, TRIH story by Edward D. Murphy, Staff Writer for the Portland (ME) Press Herald "AskMe: Why are parts of Route 302 called Roosevelt Trail?"
This is a 1927 map - the legend shows the
Theodore Roosevelt International Highway as #30
PWM map.
30 is not the route number. There was no
specific route number assigned to the TRIH.
The TRIH used the various existing route numbers
in each state that it utilized. PWM map
In the materials written about the TRIH in the three sources with links above, there was no Federal law or State (ME) law regarding naming that section of roadway in Maine the Theodore Rosevelt International Highway.
"The Roosevelt Trail name doesn't show up on any maps of Legislature-named roads in Maine, said Paul Merrill, spokesman for the Maine Department of Transportation." (EDM/PPH 2-24-2020)
A national organization was founded in Duluth, Minnesota, and began promoting what was called the "Theodore Roosevelt International Highway." The proposed route stretched from Portland, Maine to Portland, Oregon - more than 4,000 miles - across the northern part of the country. It went through 12 states, as well as part of Ontario, Canada. (FB 10-8-2021)
While (the) development of the Roosevelt Highway in the early 1920s was a non-governmental initiative, the national organization did work with individual states, communities, and private groups to designate routes and seek funding for roadway improvements. In this manner, this private system could actually be understood as something of an influential precursor of the federal highway system, with centralized government funding that supported state-driven roadbuilding and other construction efforts. (FB 10-8-2021)
#30 starts in Portland, then exits Maine through
Fryeburg, and heads towards the Great Lakes. PWM map
Below is a 1926 Road Map, U.S.A. - This map was used by my great, great, grandfather, great, great, grandmother, great-grandfather, grandfather, and his younger brother when the family drove their auto from Kennebunk, Maine to Los Angeles, CA in 1926.
The promotional materials around the border are wonderful
to read. The key to the map shows the Theodore Roosevelt
International Highway as #39
(this does not represent any route number) PWM map
The crew that used the map above to travel to CA from ME.
Frank O. Morse, Jr., Harry Lovett, Allen B. Morse (14),
Harry G. Morse (12), Frank O. Morse, Sr.,
Elizabeth J. Wells Morse c 1919 - PWM
The legend has 39 listed as the
Theodore Roosevelt International Highway -
Portland, Maine to Portland, Oregon
Follow 39 from Portland through Fryeburg, Maine
heading towards the Great Lakes - PWM
I enjoyed reading about the TRIH in the book,
Moose Crossing, by Max J. Skidmore.
Moose Crossing, by Max J. Skidmore.
Hamilton Books, 2007.
A portion of my collection of TR-related books :)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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
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
