Dyer Library Presentation - Trains & Trolleys of Saco (Maine) : The Leavitt Connection 4-15-2025

Dyer Library and Saco Museum 371 Main Street, Saco, Maine,

Lower photos - Foster Leavitt, Sr, Foster Leavitt, Jr, and Edward Leavitt

(Foster, Sr's younger brother) Postcard of the first-day operation of

the Flying Yankee in 1935 when it stopped in Old Orchard Beach.

Both images in the Foster Leavitt, Sr., Collection courtesy of Mike Leavitt

Lower right photo of a portion of the Foster Leavitt, Jr. diorama

made by him to commemorate his experience when he was 5 years old

in 1935 and joined his parents in riding the Flying Yankee that first

day from OOB station to Saco - PWM photo

    Here is the series of slides I used during the presentation at Dyer Library on Tuesday evening, April 15, 20205. This blog post will add some details and some links for posts related to several of the topics mentioned throughout the talk. Thank you to Mike Leavitt, son of Foster Leavitt, Jr. for sharing family photos and stories with me. The Leavitt family has 125 years of direct connections with the Seashore Trolley Museum's Biddeford & Saco Railroad open car No. 31. This presentation provides some information on those family connections that include local community connections in Biddeford, Saco, and Old Orchard Beach. The Dyer Library and Saco Museum together have been a wonderful basis for the Leavitt family archives.

Sign at the main entrance for the Seashore Trolley Museum in

Kennebunkport, Maine, at 195 Log Cabin Road. Below the sign is Car 31

on July 15, 1939, as it waits to be delivered to the initial 10 acres of land

in Kennebunkport, which is now where the main entrance is today.

Photos in the Seashore Trolley Museum

The aerial view on the right shows the main entrance on the lower left and

much of the main campus of the Seashore Trolley Museum. 

Google Earth screenshot

Dyer Library has donated many dioramas and individual models to the

Seashore Trolley Museum from their Foster Leavitt, Jr. collection. The

Trolley Museum will display the Leavitt pieces in the Museum's new

Model Railroad building. Photo STM

Interior photos of the Trolley Museum's model railroad/railway 

Photo STM

Interior photos of the Trolley Museum's model railroad/railway 

Photo STM

A few of the incredibly beautiful railroad and railway items made by

Foster Leavitt, Jr., donated to the Seashore Trolley Museum. Photos PWM

Click Here: to go to the YouTube documentary or click on the video below

The Leavitt family has been connected to Car 31 for 125 years!

Top left - Charles "Bob" Leavitt worked for the Biddeford & Saco RR (BSRR)

for 39 years beginning in 1896. He was a motorman and conductor and

operated Car 31 beginning when 31 first arrived in Saco in 1900. Both of his

sons, Foster Leavitt, Sr., and Edward "Eddie" Leavitt, also worked for the BSRR

and operated Car 31 (top center photo - Foster is motorman, Eddie is conductor).

Top right - Foster Leavitt, Sr, Foster Leavitt, Jr, and Eddie Leavitt 1939.

Lower Left - Foster Leavitt, Sr., and Edward "Eddie" Leavitt on Car 31 at

the Seashore Trolley Museum. They were members and operators during the

1950s, '60s, '70s, and '80s at the Trolley Museum. Lower center and right -

Mike and Judy Leavitt with daughters Natalie and Amanda in 1999 at 

Dyer Library/Saco Museum and in 2023 with all their family members

on Car 31 at the Seashore Trolley Museum. Photos from Mike Leavitt, PWM, and STM

Photo in the O R Cummings Coll. courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum

Click Here - for the post on the history of the Biddeford & Saco Railroad

Left - O. R. Cummings Coll. courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum

Right - PWM

Photos on the left - O. R. Cummings Coll. courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum

Photos on the right - Foster Leavitt, Sr., courtesy Mike Leavitt

Map - Seashore Trolley Museum

Photo - O. R. Cummings Coll. courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum

Newspaper - Biddeford Daily - June 7, 1900

Click Here - for the post on Car 31 arriving and other activities of the B&SRR in 1900

Photos - O. R. Cummings Coll. courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum

Photo - O. R. Cummings Coll. courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum

Click Here - for the post on the history of the Atlantic Shore Line Railway 1900-1910

Photo left  - O. R. Cummings Coll. courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum

Photo right - courtesy McArthur Public Library 

Photos - O. R. Cummings Coll. courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum

Photo top left  - O. R. Cummings Coll. courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum

Photo bottom left - PWM - right - courtesy Donald Curry Coll.

Photo/postcard - O. R. Cummings Coll. courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum

Click Here - for the post on the history of the Portland Railroad going through Scarborough

Photos - O. R. Cummings Coll. courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum

 

Photos - O. R. Cummings Coll. courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum

Photos - O. R. Cummings Coll. courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum

Photos - O. R. Cummings Coll. courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum

Photo left - O. R. Cummings Coll. courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum

Photo right - Foster Leavitt, Sr. Coll. courtesy Mike Leavitt

Photos - O. R. Cummings Coll. courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum

Photos - O. R. Cummings Coll. courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum

Trolley Photos - O. R. Cummings Coll. courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum

Stained glass photo - PWM

Photos - O. R. Cummings Coll. courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum

Postcards - PWM

Photos - O. R. Cummings Coll. Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum

In June 1999, the Seashore Trolley Museum brought Car 31

to Saco to begin an 8-day "Home Tour" to celebrate the 60th

anniversary of Car 31 being saved and establishing the Seashore Trolley Museum.

The bottom photo is from 1999 in Old Orchard Beach and shows the

 the same building in the background 60 years after the photo

of Car 31 in the same location was taken on June 18, 1939.

Photo top right  - O. R. Cummings Coll. Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum

Photo bottom right - PWM

Click Here - for the post on the Fan Trip on June 18, 1939 - Car 31 Chosen to be Saved

Click Here - for the post on the 1999 Car 31 Home Tour Celebration

Photos from the O. R. Cummings Coll. at the Seashore Trolley Museum

Click Here - for the final day of trolley operations at the Biddeford & Saco Railroad, July 5, 1939

Photos from the O. R. Cummings Coll. at the Seashore Trolley Museum

Photos from the O. R. Cummings Coll. at the Seashore Trolley Museum

Newspaper clipping from the Foster Leavitt, Sr. Coll courtesy Mike Leavitt

Photos from the Foster Leavitt, Sr. Coll. courtesy Mike Leavitt

Photo right has Ralph Meserve sitting in the CMP office

with Foster Leavitt, Sr. c 1960

Left - Foster Leavitt, Sr. (L) is with his brother, Edward Leavitt at the Seashore Trolley Museum

Upper photo - Motorman Foster Leavitt, Sr. with conductor Edward Leavitt on Car 31 at STM

Right - Foster Leavitt, Sr. at STM

Newspaper clippings and photos from the Foster Leavitt, Sr. Coll. courtesy Mike Leavitt

Photos from the Foster Leavitt, Sr. Coll. courtesy Mike Leavitt

Photos from the Foster Leavitt, Sr. Coll. courtesy Mike Leavitt

Book photo on right - PWM

Newspaper from the Foster Leavitt, Sr. Coll. courtesy Mike Leavitt

Photos and newspaper clippings from the Foster Leavitt, Sr. Coll. courtesy Mike Leavitt

Photo on left - PWM - Newspaper clipping from the Foster Leavitt, Sr. Coll.

courtesy Mike Leavitt. Photo of Ralph Meserve courtesy of Tricia Erikson

Photo left - Foster Leavitt, Sr. Coll. courtesy Mike Leavitt

Photo right - PWM

1999 photos - PWM - 2023 photos courtesy Mike Leavitt

Top photos - PWM

Bottom photo from the Seashore Trolley Museum

Click Here - for the post on Car 31 arriving in Kennebunkport on July 15, 1939

Click Here - for the 7-minute video of B&SRR trolleys operating 1936-1939 or click below 

Click Here - for the 9-plus min. video of B&SRR trolleys operating 1936-1939 and buses operating 1953 or click below

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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

Oakland Park - A Delightful Trolley Destination between Rockland and Camden, Maine - 1902 - 1931

The main entrance to Oakland Park - you can see the bandstand

in the background in the center where a person in white is standing.

CMP Collection 2115 - Box 359 - Folder 7

Brown Research Library/Maine Historical Society

    This blog post features the summary of the Rockland, Thomaston, & Camden Electric Railway in O.R.

Cummings' book, "Transportation Bulletin No. 6, Part 1. January 1952 - "Rockland, Thomaston & Camden Street Railway," issued by the Connecticut Valley Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society. Additional photos will be credited accordingly. Several photos and some text are from the book, The Trolley Parks of Maine, by Amber Tatnall, Randy Leclair, and Doreen Rogan: New England Electric Railway Historical Society. The CMP Collection 2115 at the Brown Research Library at the Maine Historical Society also provided a couple of photos.

Click Here - post on the history of the Rockland, Thomaston, and Camden Street Railway 1892-1931

Click Here - for the post on Rockland, South Thomaston, and St. George Railway 1902-1918

Click Here: for the post on Riverton Trolley Park 1896-1933 (Portland)

Click Here: for the post on Underwood Spring Trolley Park 1899-1907 (Falmouth)

Click Here: for the post on Casco Castle Trolley Park 1902-1914 (South Freeport)

Click Here: for the post on Merrymeeting Trolley Park 1899-1906 (Brunswick)

Click Here: for the post on Island Park Pleasure Resort and Trolleys 1902-1928 (Winthrop)

Oakland Park

     During the early part of 1902, the Rockland, Thomaston, & Camden Street Railway purchased a large tract of land in Rockport, about a mile above Glen Cove, and created Oakland Park, said to be one of the finest street railway amusement centers in Maine.

Construction of the spur to Oakland Park circa 1902.

O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_41_026

Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library

    A short ride of twenty minutes from the waiting rooms of the Rockland, Thomaston, & Camden Street Railway brings one to Oakland Park, it was owned and operated by the trolley company as an amusement park for the entertainment of its patrons.

    An artificial pond was created on which row boats and a hand-power cable ferry, afforded especially enjoyable entertainment for the children. In addition, there were various forms of amusement provided 

as did most trolley parks. A casino offered opportunities for refreshments and dancing; and many open-air meetings, conventions, and reunions were held in the grove which was arranged with seats and a speaker's platform. A fine sea wall extended around three sides of the park with gravel walks among shade trees, and ocean views that delighted the eye. Opportunities for bathing and fishing off the rocks, baseball, croquet, etc.

Map from the 2015 NEERHS book, "The Illustrated 

Atlas of Maine's Street & Electric Railways

1863-1946"

Open car No. 9, was built in 1892 for Rockland,

Thomaston, & Camden Street Railway is at Oakland Park

waiting station, Rockport, c1902. Destination sign - Highlands

& Quarries with an unidentified open car on the line waiting

for No. 9 to depart. Eastern Illustrating and Publishing image

in the O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_41_207

Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library

From the January 1952 publication,

Rockland, Thomaston, & Camden Electric Railway

by O.R. Cummings. PWM book

     This park, with 72 acres, had big stone pillars guarding the entrance, and set in them are many interesting relics, such as a cannonball of the War of 1812, stones of volcanic origin, etc., with much of the architecture favoring the Japanese in style, there was a casino, a large pine grove arranged with seats and a platform for speakers, an artificial pond, a baseball diamond, croquet lawns, and facilities for bathing and fishing, as well as for other forms of recreation usually found at amusement parks. Flower beds of brilliant colors added the necessary touches of refinement and beauty.

Map of Oakland Park

O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_41_067

Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library

Trolley car No. 4 at the Oakland Park waiting station, Rockport, ME.

Photo by the Eastern Illustrating and Publishing Company

From the January 1952 publication,

Rockland, Thomaston, & Camden Electric Railway

by O.R. Cummings. PWM book

At the main entrance to Oakland Park - at the bottom on the right, you can see the bottom of the

large slide :) CMP Collection 2115 - Box 359-Folder 7

Brown Research Library/Maine Historical Society

From the January 1952 publication,

Rockland, Thomaston, & Camden Electric Railway

by O.R. Cummings. PWM book

CMP Collection 2115 - Box 359 - Folder 7

Brown Research Library/Maine Historical Society

Open car No. 11 at the Warren waiting station leaving for

Rockport and Camden. The advertisement placard reads that

the Camden Band was playing at Oakland Park on Sunday,

August 16th, which would mean 1903.

O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_41_101

Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library

Summary from the January 1952 publication,

Rockland, Thomaston, & Camden Electric Railway

by O.R. Cummings. PWM book

The waiting station at Oakland Park in later years with signs

advertising entertainment. From the book,

The Trolley Parks of Maine - The Seashore Trolley Museum

From the January 1952 publication,

Rockland, Thomaston, & Camden Electric Railway

by O.R. Cummings. PWM book

Car No. 1, a 10-bench open was built in 1892, sits at the Oakland

siding with Mr. Wickhan Whitey, conductor, and Mr.Sam Linicott,

motorman. O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_41_127

Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library

Entrance to Oakland Park

O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_41_030

Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library

O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_41_037

Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library

     In later years, free motion pictures were shown at the casino. During the winter, the artificial pond was kept free of snow for skating parties. In summer, there were twilight baseball games, with local teams participating. Band concerts were held on evenings and Sundays.

From the January 1952 publication,

Rockland, Thomaston, & Camden Electric Railway

by O.R. Cummings. PWM book

Dance Hall/Casino at Oakland Park

O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_41_035

Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library

From the January 1952 publication,

Rockland, Thomaston, & Camden Electric Railway

by O.R. Cummings. PWM book

    During periods of heavy riding to the park, extras followed the regular Camden cars as far as the park station. Here they unloaded, changed ends, and returned to Rockland to await the next regular for Camden.

     No admission was charged to the park, the only cost to patrons being for meals purchased at the restaurant. Everything else - band concerts, baseball games, etc. - was free.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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