Theodore Roosevelt ascended Mount Battie in Camden,
on Friday, August 2, 1918. He had this view of Camden :)
Camden Harbor as seen from Mount Battie 2001
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 12" shown on the list (key) above - Camden - August 2, 1918
This brief article on Theodore Roosevelt's engagement with the crowd in Camden on Friday, August 2, 1918, is heartwarming. He was staying in Dark Harbor, Islesboro, with family members, while grieving the death of his youngest son, Quentin. Quentin was killed during an aerial battle over the French/German line on July 14, during the Great War.
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.
Library of Congress
Ibid
Charles Dana Gibson was a famous illustrator
Mr. T. George Dodworth of North Shore
Primrose Hill residence of Ralph Cross Johnson
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
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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