The Sewall House in Island Falls, Maine. Theodore Roosevelt
spent many a night with the Sewall family when he was
when he was visiting during three separate trips to the county
in 1878 and 1879. This image is c 1921 by Hermann Hagedorn
TRC 560.12-075 Houghton Library, Harvard University
Updated 2-5-2024
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 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, 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 27" shown on the list (key) above - Island Falls
William Wingate Sewall, in Island Falls, holding a frying pan
that was used during camping with Theodore Roosevelt.
Photo by Cruikshank, J. A c 1921 TRC 560.12-054
Houghton Library, Harvard University
William "Bill" Sewall c 1880
TRC 570.Se8-001
Houghton Library, Harvard University
1878 - - August/September - Island Falls (Mattawamkeag, Mattawamkeag Lake/River, Bible Point
TR, late in his sophomore year at Harvard, ca 1878 May
His first visit to Island Falls, Maine was in September 1878
TRC 520.12-003, Houghton Library, Harvard University
Theodore Roosevelt made several visits to Maine. Yes, there were times, when he was older, that those visits would have been made as necessitated by his politics. However, the majority of his visits were for personal gain. I speak of personal gain in the sense of his own personal health and well-being. We know Maine as, "Vacationland", or as, "The Way Life Should Be". Maine has long been known as a place to "re-create", renew one's self, and contemplate one's purpose or direction. Whether being near the ebb and flow of the mesmerizing coastline or taking in its breathtaking vistas along so many beautiful rivers and mountains, this great state of Maine has drawn many a soul in seeking fresh air and perhaps inner guidance to a fresh start.
It is well documented that as a youngster, TR's general health and physical strength were not good. His father, at the advice of trusted medical advisors, would send young TR out of Manhattan to the country for fresh air and exercise. This was the purpose of young TR's early visits to Maine. In the summer of 1872, TR attended a summer camp at Moosehead Lake. While on the stagecoach ride, during the final leg of the trip to the camp, he was bullied by a couple of boys who would be attending the camp. From that experience, TR pledged to himself that he would work to improve his physical strength and abilities so that he could protect himself in the future. He worked very hard, over the ensuing years, to keep the pledge he made to himself, and he did improve his health and physical strength.
It is well documented that as a youngster, TR's general health and physical strength were not good. His father, at the advice of trusted medical advisors, would send young TR out of Manhattan to the country for fresh air and exercise. This was the purpose of young TR's early visits to Maine. In the summer of 1872, TR attended a summer camp at Moosehead Lake. While on the stagecoach ride, during the final leg of the trip to the camp, he was bullied by a couple of boys who would be attending the camp. From that experience, TR pledged to himself that he would work to improve his physical strength and abilities so that he could protect himself in the future. He worked very hard, over the ensuing years, to keep the pledge he made to himself, and he did improve his health and physical strength.
Using a horse and wagon during his visits to Island Falls in
1878 & 1879 were common modes of transportation
for Theodore Roosevelt. This image
is described as most likely being the Mattawamkeag
River circa 1921. TRC 560.12-0112
Houghton Library, Harvard University
William Windgate Sewall (with an ax) and Wilmot S. Dow
(with rifle) at camp on Pratt Cove, Mattawamkeag Lake,
Island Falls, Maine. The file is dated circa 1921, however,
Wilmot died in 1891 (35 years old). So, this image is pre-1891.
TRC 560.12-053 Houghton Library, Harvard University
During TR's visits to Island Falls in the late summers of
1878 & 1879, he spent a lot of time in a canoe on Mattawamkeag
Lake and paddled many miles on its river.
William Wingate Sewall with a canoe on the shore of
Mattawamkeag Lake c 1921 photo by Hermann Hagedorn
TRC 560.12-081 Houghton Library, Harvard University
Theodore Roosevelt would return to Maine in early September 1878 when he was a junior at Harvard University. This was one of three trips, over the next 12 months, to Maine guide, William Sewall’s, Island Falls home, in Aroostook County, Maine.
Roosevelt arrived at Mattawamkeag railroad station on the
three occasions then made his way to Island Falls.
Mattawamkeag Railroad Station was constructed in 1871
Photo: Ralph E. Gasner Collection and info from
the 1986 publication; DOWNEAST DEPOTS:
Maine Railroad Stations in the Steam Era by Robert F. Lord
(L-R) - William "Bill" Sewall,
Wilmot S. Dow, and Theodore Roosevelt
in the area of Island Falls, ME
March 1879. TRC 520.12-015
Houghton Library, Harvard University
William "Bill" W. Sewall - Bio
William W. Sewall - Theodore Roosevelt Center, Dickinson State University, ND
Bill Sewall & Wilmot Dow - The National Park Service
Throughout his adult life, Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States, expressed how much he treasured his visits to Maine as a young man and in particular, how he truly valued the friends he made in Island Falls, during those visits.
“I owe a personal debt to Maine because of my association with certain staunch friends in Aroostook County; an association that helped and benefitted me throughout my life in more ways than one.” (Theodore Roosevelt, Maine My State, The Maine Writers Research Club, 1919, pg. 17, a letter dated, Sagamore Hill, March 20, 1918)
Theodore Roosevelt, William Windgate Sewall,
and Wilmot Dow ca March 1879 somewhere
in Island Falls area TRC 520.12.-016
Houghton Library, Harvard University
February 28, 1879 - Island Falls - TR's second visit to Island Falls, Maine, with guides William Sewall, and Wilmot Dow - arrived at Mattawamkeag train station at 11 a.m. and took a sleigh to Island Falls with William Sewall.
August 1879 - Island Falls - TR's third, and final trip, to Island Falls, Maine, with guides William Sewall, and Wilmot Dow - on August 26, TR struck out for Mt. Katahdin. He reached the peak on August 29.
image from a postcard, PWM
Chimney Pond on Mt. Katahdin, image from a postcard, PWM
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!
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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
