Former President Theodore Roosevelt holding his hat as
he faces a friend. Further research is needed, based on
the info you will see below, we believe Roosevelt's daughter,
Mrs. Ethel Roosevelt Derby is seen on the right.
We believe this photo was taken on August 3, 1918,
when Theodore, Mrs. Roosevelt, and their daughter
made a trip from Dark Harbor, Islesboro to Belfast.
Photo: Helen Shute Collection - Belfast Historical Society,
courtesy of Megan Pinette, President of
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 14" shown on the list (key) above - Islesboro/Dark Harbor
Library of Congress
Ethel Roosevelt Derby with her husband, Mr. Richard Derby
in 1917. TRC 570.R67e-008 Houghton Library, Harvard University
Former President of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt, and his wife, Edith, received confirmation from the military of the death of their youngest son, Quentin, following his plane being shot down during an aerial battle on July 14, 1918, along the France/German line. In a decision to seek a place of solitude to grieve their loss, they traveled to Dark Harbor, Islesboro.
The Roosevelts arrived by train in Rockland and took
the Maine Central Railroad steamer, Pemaquid, to
Dark Harbor.
The steamer Pemaquid, passing Rockland breakwater
c 1930 by M. Harriman in the 1993 publication;
When The Maine Central Railroad Went to Sea - Train Boats
and Boat Trains by John P. Archer
Steamer Boothbay at the Dark Harbor landing.
Islesboro Historical Society image in the 1993 publication;
When The Maine Central Railroad Went to Sea - Train Boats
and Boat Trains by John P. Archer
Mrs. Richard Derby, daughter Ethel to Theodore
and Edith Roosevelt.
Library of Congress
Mrs. Nicholas Longworth was Theodore Roosevelt's first
child, daughter, Alice. Alice's mother, Alice Hathaway Lee,
was Theodore Roosevelt's first wife. She died shortly after
giving birth to their daughter, Alice.
Ibid
The Edward Adams cottage in Dark Harbor was constructed
in 1905. Image from Maine Historic Preservation
Commission in; The Summer Cottages of Islesboro
1890-1930, by Earle G. Shettleworth, Jr
Library of Congress
The Dr. Richard H. Derby cottage in Dark Harbor.
Landside view circa 1905. Dr. Derby's son, also
named Richard, was married to Ethel Roosevelt.
Image from Richard Cheek in;
The Summer Cottages of Islesboro
1890-1930, by Earle G. Shettleworth, Jr
Ocean side view of the Derby cottage c 1905
Image from Maine Historic Preservation
Commission in; The Summer Cottages of Islesboro
1890-1930, by Earle G. Shettleworth, Jr
Photo of the Derby cottage taken earlier in August 20022 by
Patrick O'Bannon, President of the Islesboro Historical Society
Photo of the Derby cottage taken earlier in August 20022 by
Patrick O'Bannon, President of the Islesboro Historical Society
Front page of August 1, 1918, The
Click Here: Daily Kennebec Journal, August 5, 1918, courtesy of the Library of Congress
Daily Kennebec Journal, August 5, 1918
The Islesboro Inn during the dedication ceremony
with the crowd in attendance to hear Theodore Roosevelt's
remarks on August 4, 1918.
Ibid
Ibid
People traveled from various communities to be witnesses to Roosevelt at the celebration.
From Stockton Springs
Library of Congress
A dear friend of mine, Joe Banavige, is currently working on the last few chapters of a two-volume manuscript on his in-depth research on Theodore Roosevelt. Joe found a letter from Edith Roosevelt to her son Kermit, dated August 4, 1918. Edith wrote the letter while in Dark Harbor. She mentions some activities she, her husband, and their daughter participated in. She mentions some friends they visited and in some cases joined in with activities. Thank you, Joe, for sharing photos of Mrs. Roosevelt's letter with me. You can see in the photo the proper credit of the holder of the letter and the collection.
Page one of the letter to Kermit Roosevelt from his mother, Edith
Roosevelt, while she was in Dark Harbor, Islesboro on August 4, 1918.
I forwarded copies of the letter to Patrick O'Bannon, President of the Islesboro Historical Society, and asked Patrick if he might be able to help identify any of the individuals that Mrs. Roosevelt mentions in the letter. He was able to :)
- Mrs. Gibson is Alice "Irene" Langhorne Gibson (1873-1956) the wife of Charles Dana Gibson(of Gibson Girl fame). They had a large cottage on 700 Acre Island, which is across Gilkey's Harbor from the main island of Islesboro.
- Mr. Brandegee is Edward D. Brandegee (1857-1933) a wholesale clothing manufacturer from Brookline, MA. He and his wife, Mary Bryant Pratt (1871-1956) bought the Dupee-Sloane Cottage (1898) on Shipyard Point in Islesboro in 1912.
Ocean-side view of the Dupee-Sloane cottage
Image from Richard Cheek in; The Summer Cottages of Islesboro
1890-1930, by Earle G. Shettleworth, Jr
Ocean side view of the Dupee-Sloane cottage c 1905
Image from Maine Historic Preservation
Commission in; The Summer Cottages of Islesboro
1890-1930, by Earle G. Shettleworth, Jr
Below are a couple of newspaper articles mentioning some of the activities.
Primrose Hill residence of Ralph Cross Johnson
Library of Congress
Ibid
Charles Dana Gibson was a famous illustrator
Mr. T. George Dodworth of North Shore
August 8, 1918 - Library of Congress
Charles Dana Gibson's cottage on an island across Gilkey's
Harbor from the main island, Islesboro c 1905. Details courtesy,
Patrick O'Bannon, President of Islesboro Historical Society
Image from Maine Historic Preservation
Commission in; The Summer Cottages of Islesboro
1890-1930, by Earle G. Shettleworth, Jr
Page 8 - Library of Congress
The family photo below includes family members who were together in Dark Harbor.
Library of Congress
My trip to Dark Harbor - October 7, 2015
When I first heard of TR's visit to Dark Harbor in Islesboro, specifically to mourn the death of his son Quenton, it made me shiver a bit. I learned of TR's visit to Dark Harbor from author Chip Bishop.
Chip, sadly, has passed away. His 2014 book, Quentin & Flora: A Roosevelt and a Vanderbilt in Love during the Great War, has information about the Roosevelts spending time in Dark Harbor.
Could it be any more beautiful :) Looking out from the ferry,
"Margaret Chase Smith", as we approach Islesboro.
PWM image 10-7-2015
This rose was painted on the ferry,
"Margaret Chase Smith",
depicts the distinguished
depicts the distinguished
senator's fresh red rose that was
a daily fixture on her attire.
PWM image 10-7-2015
PWM image 10-7-2015
Alice L. Pendleton Library, Islesboro, Maine
PWM image 10-7-2015
I was fortunate that the library in Islesboro is open from 10 until Noon on Wednesdays.
Library Director Linda Graf was very helpful to me. She used a book to help find some background information on Roosevelt's visit to Dark Harbor. I was able to purchase a copy of the book. The Summer Cottages of Islesboro: 1890-1930, by Earle G. Shuttleworth, Jr. This 1989 publication was printed for the Islesboro Historical Society.
The Dark Harbor, Islesboro, Maine - PWM image 10-7-2015
As I motored around the island and the Dark Harbor area, gazing at the beauty of the landscape and seascape, Chip Bishop's words of Theodore expressing his sorrow and loss for his son, Quentin, and for the loss of the opportunity for Quentin to have married and perhaps to have a family of his own came to mind. Having two sons of my own, made it a sobering thought for me.
Approaching the ferry entrance at Grindle Point, Islesboro, Maine
PWM image 10-7-2015
Marine Museum at Grindle Point where the ferry service to
Lincolnville departs/arrives in Islesboro, Maine.
PWM image 10-7-2015
Lincolnville departs/arrives in Islesboro, Maine.
PWM image 10-7-2015
departing the ferry terminal at Grindle Point, Islesboro, Maine.
PWM image 10-7-2015
The Summer Cottages of Islesboro
1890-1930 by Earle G. Shettleworth, Jr
Islesboro Historical Society 1989
Front Cover: When The Maine Central
Railroad Went to Sea - Train Boats and
Boat Trains by John P. Archer 1993
Back cover
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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