President Theodore Roosevelt speaks to the crowd at the Old
Orchard Beach train station, from the
back platform of the "Mayflower", on
August 26, 1902. The white-haired man next to TR
is Congressman Amos Allen. Courtesy McArthur Library
Item #1701
Updated 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 "Star 3" shown on the list (key) above - Old Orchard Beach
President Theodore Roosevelt looking at you while
he was in Old Orchard Beach. August 26, 1902
TRC 560-51 1902-062
Houghton Library, Harvard University
While researching President Roosevelt's schedule for his two-day Maine visit during his 1902 tour of New England states, up popped the photo of TR on the platform of a train coach. The caption stating TR was addressing the crowd at the Biddeford train station caught my attention as Biddeford was not listed in the itinerary of Maine stops in the presidential schedule, for August 26 and 27, 1902.
of President Roosevelt's train tour that included communities
in Maine. A stop in Biddeford was not listed. August 26, 1902,
issue of the Lewiston Evening Journal EXTRA 8:30 p.m.
So, I visited Biddeford's McArthur Public Library to search through their extensive microfilm collection of vintage local newspapers. I located the story of the president's train unplanned stop and brief speech and in addition, read a feature story about a local Biddeford resident, Fred C. Watson, who was a cowboy working for Roosevelt in the Dakotas between 1884 and 1885. With much help from Renée L. Burkett, Archivist/Special Collections Librarian, more intriguing information about Fred. C. Watson was learned.
In addition to the Watson materials, Renée showed me the photo that is the first image at the beginning of this post. It is an original photograph within the McArthur Library archives. On the back of the photo, the description simply had Theodore Roosevelt's name with Congressman Amos Allen in Sanford 1912 written. This photo is also of President Roosevelt standing on the platform of a train coach with several others, including a gentleman with a white beard, that is identified as the Maine U S Congressman from Alfred, Amos Allen.
I'm somewhat familiar with the train stations in the Sanford-Springvale area. I looked at the photo and replied to Renée that Sanford didn't have a railroad station. Springvale has the railroad station for servicing Sanford and Springvale, and the background in the photo did not look anything like the area surrounding the Springvale railroad station, even back in the early 1900s. I continued and said that I didn't think that photo was taken in 1912 either. I said I would reach out to Harland Eastman at the Sanford-Springvale Historical Society and see what he has to say.
I did share a copy of the digital photo with Harland and explained the caption. Harland replied, nope, TR had never visited the Sanford -Springvale area that he was aware of and that the photo was definitely not taken at the Springvale train station.
I compared the photo with other photos from TR's two-day presidential Maine tour and came to the conclusion that the train coach platform was unique and matched perfectly with other photos of the coach platform TR used while in Maine for those two days in August 1902. Further research found that Congressman Allen died Early in the year 1911. So, clearly, he could not be in a photo taken in 1912. In addition, I looked at period photos of the other train stations that TR's presidential train stopped at during his 1902 tour. The background in the McArthur Library photo was a solid match for the buildings next to the old Orchard Beach train station.
I shared my findings with Renée. She too had done some research and also felt the Old Orchard Beach Station was indeed the station in the TR photo with Congressman Allen. Renée then changed the description to what was now identified as the correct information on the file for the photo in the archives.
President Theodore Roosevelt was touring New England states during the summer of 1902. Prior to his train entering Maine for two days, there was a stop in Dover, New Hampshire later in the morning of Tuesday, August 26, 1902. Following the local activities in Dover, members of the Maine delegation would board the president's train to be with him as the train entered Maine traveling toward its first scheduled stop in Old Orchard Beach. Here is the accounting from August 29, 1902, Biddeford Weekly Journal, Friday Morning publication.
Biddeford Weekly Journal, August 29, 1902
The Presidential train of five beautiful cars makes a
scheduled stop at Old Orchard Beach, Maine, during the
New England Tour on August 26, 1902. President
Theodore Roosevelt on the end platform of the "Mayflower"
as he engages with a crowd of approximately 10,000.
Photo courtesy of Ralph Duquette
TR in OOB - TRC R560.51.T34-014
Houghton Library, Harvard University
TR in OOB - TRC 560.51 1902-064
Houghton Library, Harvard University
TR in OOB -TRC 560.51 1902-063
Houghton Library, Harvard University
TR in OOB - TRC 560.51 1902-060
Houghton Library, Harvard University
TR in OOB - TRC 560.51 1902-064
Houghton Library, Harvard University
Excerpts Ibid (autocorrect disconnected - kept as written:) :
Half an hour after noon the special train bearing President Roosevelt and party crossed the line between Maine and New Hampshire and began its trip down through the Pine Tree state. The weather still held perfect, though a trifle warm, and the brilliant sun falling on the long stretches of green fields and pine woods enabled Maine to present herself at her best.
At Dover, the presidential train was boarded by congressman Amos L. Allen of the First District, Adjutant General N. B. Farnham, Colonel E. B. Sangers, Col. E. C. Dill, and Lieutenant Colonel Francie Keefe, all of the staff of Governor John F. Hill. Accompanying the governor's official representatives was Captain Parker of the United States army.
The first stop of the train in Maine was scheduled for Old Orchard Beach at 1:15, but owing to a hot box on the engine a stop was made at Biddeford which was reached about one o'clock.
Although it was not part of the programme to include North Berwick in the itinerary of the tour, the residents had occasion to feel honored even though a stop that was incidental to the train service only was made. The station platform was covered with men, women, and children, while nearby board piles and boxes, shed roofs and other points were dotted with those who had gathered for the privilege of waving hats, handkerchiefs, and parasols.
Answers and updates on the Biddeford portion of TR's two-day presidential Maine tour are in the post:
The Old Orchard visit was published on August 29, 1902, in the Biddeford Weekly Journal, Friday Morning publication.
Ibid
Ibid
Ibid
Ibid
Ibid
.jpg)
Ibid
Ibid
.jpg)
Ibid
Fred C. Watson was born in North Saco
and was a resident in Biddeford. As the
story mentions, that Watson worked for
TR at TR's Elkhorn Ranch in
the Dakotas in 1884 and 1885.
Ibid
Roosevelt's presidential train tour moved on to Portland next.
The Biddeford Daily Journal’s President’s speech in Old Orchard Beach on August 26. 1902:
(autocorrect disconnected - kept as written:) :
My Fellow Citizens, men and women of Maine:
Of course we are not to be excused if we do not get through the nation the best laws that can be obtained. Good laws can do some good but we must never deceive ourselves into the belief that the law will do more than let the man after the law has been put upon the statute books work out his own salvation.
It is indeed a pleasure to me to have the chance of visiting your great and beautiful state, and I thank you from my heart for the greeting which you have extended to me.
In almost every meeting I see veterans like you (pointing to a veteran) like you over there and you with the boy in your arms there, who wear the button that shows that in the time that tried men's souls you proved your truth by your endeavor.
In those days Maine was a lesson to all for the way her sons bore themselves in war.
Since then and now she is a lesson to us because of the high average of citizenship that shows within her borders, and I think that it is the same reason in the one case as in the other.
The fact that here you have remained on the whole true to the Old American theory of treating each man on his worth as a man without regard to the incidentals of his position.
Now you over there, (pointing) you were in the great war. When you went to war and moved into battle you took an immense interest in what the man on your right hand and your left did, but you did not care the least bit in the world whether they were bankers or lumbermen or farmers or what, if they stayed put. (cries of “That id right!”) That is what you wanted. (Cheers and cries of “God bless you.”)
What you wanted was to know that the man had the right stuff in him, (a voice, “That is it”) and if he had, you were for him (a voice, “Yes sir”) and if he did not have you were not for him.
You can have got to have the same principle in citizenship. You have got to apply the same principle in civil life that you made succeed in the days when you fought because the nation called to you in her direst need.
The state can do much, but it cannot begin to do everything. The state can do something for all of us, but not as much as we can do for the state. (A voice “Amen”) That is what is going to count in the long run. (A voice “That’s business). The government, national and state, can mighty easily spoil chances for all of us.
Bad law will work badly enough but it is hard by the best laws to do more than shape conditions so as to give each man a square and fair chance and then he has got to work out his future for himself.
It is a much easier thing to tell people that you have got a patent recipe that will save them from having to take trouble themselves than it is to tell them perfectly plain, homely truths.
It is an easier thing to make the promise but it is a much uglier thing afterwards to carry out the promise and on the whole it is not worth while making a promise if you have got to feel ashamed of yourself for breaking it afterwards. (Cries of “Good.”)
August 14, 1914
Theodore Roosevelt also made a brief stop in Old Orchard Beach at the train station on August 18, 1914. He was campaigning for the Progressive Party candidates during this trip to Maine. He made a brief speech in OOB from the train platform before he was on his way to the Auburn train station where he would then speak in Lewiston prior to boarding the high-speed luxury interurban, Narcissus, en route back to Portland.
Click Here to access the August 18, 1914, online issue of the Lewiston Evening Journal through Google News Archive Search.
Lewiston Evening Journal, August 18, 1914 -
page 9
Ibid
Newspaper clipping from the Lewiston Daily Sun,
August 19, 1914.
A portion of my collection of TR-related books :)
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
Androscoggin Historical Society, Lewiston
Eliot Historical Society, Eliot
Gray Historical Society, Gray
Kennebec Historical Society, Augusta
Letterpress Books, Portland
Maine Historical Society Store, Portland
Morph Gallery & Emporium, Kennebunk
New Gloucester Historical Society, New Gloucester
Roosevelt Campobello International Park, Welshpool, NB, Canada
Seashore Trolley Museum, Kennebunkport
Sherman's Maine Coast Book Shops, All Locations
Thompson's Orchard, New Gloucester
Winthrop Maine Historical Society, Winthrop
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-running 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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