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 2-7-2024
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 24" shown on the list (key) above - Kingman 1879
I first learned details of Theodore Roosevelt's trips to "The County" (Aroostook County, ME) to stay at the Sewall House in Island Falls, with Maine guide William Sewall, from multi-award-winning Maine author, Andrew Vietze. Andrew's 2010 book, Becoming Teddy Roosevelt: How a Maine Guide Inspired America's 26th President.
Theodore Roosevelt's first of three trips to Island Falls within twelve months beginning in September 1878, would lead to a life-long, endearing friendship with the Sewalls and Dows (Wilmot Dow was Sewall's nephew and also a guide for TR), and also with Maine.
Theodore Roosevelt was an active writer starting at a very young age. He kept a journal for many years. Many of those journals are now in the Theodore Roosevelt Collection at Harvard University. They were a resource for this post.
Roosevelt arrived in Island Falls on August 23, 1879. This would be his final visit to Island Falls. He would depart for Boston from the railroad station in Kingman on September 24. Here are the excerpts from the final entries in his journal for that trip...
In his 1879 journal, Roosevelt writes...
Monday, September 22
Sewall, Dow, and I started in a birch down the Mattawamkaeg. We paddled downstream about 10 miles below the Lake, landing several times to look for partridges...I shall be very sorry to end this trip; and yet how I shall enjoy getting back to Harvard.
Tuesday, September 23
Started tolerably late, paddling down to below Wytipitlock, and then camping.
Wednesday, September 24
Paddled down through the dead water, about 12 miles, to Kingman, where I took the train for Boston. I was really sorry to leave both Sewall and Dow; I have had capital fun this trip, and have passed as pleasure a month as a fellow could. Am feeling as strong as a bull.
By Jove, it sometimes seems as if I were having too happy a time, to have it last. I enjoy every minute I live, almost.
In the above accountings, TR mentions a "birch." That is a birch-bark canoe.
He mentions camping along the Mattawamkeag to below Wytipitlock. Perhaps we could narrow down to close proximity of where that campsite was if we backtrack and measure about 12 miles from where he might have landed his canoe in Kingman. At this point, it's hard to say if the campsite was on the banks in Wytipitlock or the banks of Drew.
I haven't located any photos of the railroad station in Kingman if there was a station in Kingman :)
If you know or have a photo, perhaps you'll consider sharing it with me for inclusion in this post.
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
I strongly recommend you acquire a copy of Andrew Vietze's book, Becoming Teddy Roosevelt: How a Maine Guide Inspired America's 26th President. Great reading for all ages.
Hardcover first edition copy
of Andrew Vietze's "Becoming Teddy
Roosevelt" PWM Collection
A great resource for TR's diaries
1877-1886 - A Most Glorious Ride
Edited by Edward P. Kohn
PWM Collection
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
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