Theodore Roosevelt Maine Heritage Trail - Star #22 - Northwest Piscataquis (Mount Kineo) 1872

The Steamer Twilight image is in the collection

of the Moosehead Historical Society and posted

on the Maine Memory Network

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 22" shown on the list (key) above - Northwest Piscataquis (Mount Kineo)

This image is of the "2nd" Kineo House, you can get a sense of why

thirteen-year-old TR would have made the notation "Good", in his journal,

after he wrote Kineo House :) The first Mount Kineo House was built during

1848 and burned in 1868. The second Mount Kineo House was built during

1870 and opened in 1871. This second house would burn in 1882. The

third Mount Kineo House opened in 1884. This third house burned

shortly after 1938. PWM postcard

    The postcard above shows the "2nd" Mount Kineo House. Which would have been the one where TR would have stayed in August 1872. He makes a notation that it was "Good." During my research of the Moosehead Lake Region during the early/mid-1870s, I found a fair amount of written publications. One that is in my possession is an original copy of an August 1875 issue of Harper's New Monthly Magazine. The writings in general are phenomenal. In particular, the lengthy write-up of a trip to Moosehead Lake with a stay at the Mount Kineo House. The likelihood is that the trip was taken many months in advance of August 1875, to write, edit, and publish the story in August 1875. Maybe the trip took place as early as the summer of 1874? Regardless, not much would have changed as far as services, etc. that were available in 1872 when TR was a guest. Here are some excerpts from the publication.

Cover of the August 1875 publication of Harper's New

Monthly Magazine. 

Ibid

Ibid

Ibid

Ibid

Ibid

Ibid

    TR mentions that for two days he rented a rowboat and rowed over to Mount Kineo and ascended the mountain. 

    TR mentions that he stayed one night in "The Lake House." He made note of "Poor" which I reckon means he wasn't too happy with the accommodations.

The Lake House mentioned in TR's diary dated, Moosehead, August 27 was located in Greenville.

The Lake House in Greenville, Maine

The image above and text from 1880 Farrar's Illustrated

Guide Book to Moosehead Lake and Vicinity.

    TR mentions fly fishing with Peter Strong. They went fly fishing at Echo Lake. Echo Lake is basically next to Dexter. So, research to date in Greenville and in Dexter has not led to any additional information on Peter Strong. The research will continue.

    The research did continue, and that extended research, Thank you, Joe Banavige 😀, identified Peter Strong, not being a Maine guide, but was a family friend of one of Theodore Roosevelt's uncles, Robert B. Roosevelt.

     From this one trip to Maine, in August of 1872, TR opened the door to local history in the communities of Dexter, Greenville, and the Moosehead Lake Region. These communities present themselves famously now to those folks who are aware. How many new visitors might these communities draw into the area to experience their spectacular landscapes and storied local history?

The location of Echo Lake brings up a question of logistics and timing based on TR's entries - more research is necessary.

We continue seeking other support materials (photos, etc.) that will add more context. Contact me, Phil Morse (p.morse31@gmail.com) if you have any information or materials that would assist our research.

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