Theodore Roosevelt Maine Heritage Trail - Moose E - Clifton - 1920-on

Above Newspaper Archives Headline: Portland Sunday Telegram - 

July 10, 1921 - Google Maps screenshot showing Camp Roosevelt

on the border of Eddington (left) with its main campus in Clifton, Maine

(right), next to Fitts Pond. 1921 was the first summer that Camp Roosevelt

hosted Boy Scouts.

Updated 6-4-2026

    I first started researching Theodore Roosevelt in 2010. As a volunteer at Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine, I was overseeing the Narcissus Project (Roosevelt was a passenger on the Portland-Lewiston (ME) Interurban, No. 14, Narcissus, on August 18, 1914). This initial research piqued my curious nature. I wanted to learn more about Theodore Roosevelt and his various visits to Maine.

    Twelve years later, that seed of curiosity had 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 using 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. However, 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

Each of these communities/landmarks with its Roosevelt

connections has a separate page describing details of TR's

connections. Each also has a link, or links, to local

resources/venues.

Key by "Designs by Reece" - Reece Saunders

Today, we describe Moose E shown on the list (key) above - Clifton 1920

I will describe other camps in Maine referred to as "Roosevelt Camps" towards the end of this post. 

Former President of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt, passed away on June 6, 1919. Nationally, internationally, including the State of Maine, individuals, businesses, and numerous organizations throughout Maine, responded by working to come up with ideas to memorialize TR.

Sun Journal - January 6, 1919

The next four newspaper archive clippings/articles help explain how the Bangor/Brewer community might have been inspired to embrace the idea of creating Camp Roosevelt.

The day after TR passed away, January 7, the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America announced that it..." will endeavor in every way within its power to see that his (TR) memory is kept alive..."

The Republican Journal - January 16, 1919

The Belfast Boy Scouts mention TR

The Republican Journal - February 20, 1919

The National Council of the Boy Scouts of America memorial

Sun Journal - February 22, 1919

President Woodrow Wilson's proclamation on May 1, 1919, for strengthening the work of the Boy Scouts of America

Sun Journal - May 12, 1919

Portland Press Herald - June 4, 1961 - Mr. Loren H. Thompson talks about the early years of the Bangor-Brewer Boy Scouts troops and the establishment of Camp Roosevelt. Mr. Thompson is mentioned in the June 10, 1922, Sun Journal article - (scroll down to find it)

Portland Press Herald - June 4, 1961

1921 - the first summer for Boy Scouts at Camp Roosevelt

Portland Sunday Telegram - July 10, 1921

Lewiston Daily Sun - July 11, 1921

This newspaper article below mentions a TR connection to Camp Roosevelt during the camp's early years of operation. I would like to receive details and, if possible, copies of any evidence referring to the steam engine/steamboat that belonged to TR, which was used at Camp Roosevelt in its early years...

Portland Press Herald - October 17, 1965

June 10, 1922, newspaper article describing Camp Roosevelt activities as it approaches summer two.

Sun Journal - June 10, 1922

Blackcap Mountain is mentioned in the newspaper article above. Below is a screenshot of the map with Fitts Pond, Camp Roosevelt on the upper right of the pond, and Blackcap Mountain in the lower left.

Katahdin Scout Reservation - Camp Roosevelt - 1999

Screenshot below is from the Eddington Historical Society. A History of Camp Roosevelt

Below are a couple of screenshots from the Camp Roosevelt website in December 2025. The Website has changed in 2026 to: mainescouting.com

____ ____ ____ ___ ____ ____ ____ _____ ____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ ____ ___

Other Roosevelt Camps in Maine

Theodore Roosevelt Camp No. 5 - Sons of Veterans - South China

Established in 1903 and ended in 1956

Kennebec Journal - July 15, 1903

Theodore Roosevelt Camp No. 19 of Kittery - Kittery

The Local Chapter of the United States Spanish War Veterans (USWV) organization was established in 1904 and was active into the 1920s.

Camp Roosevelt - Folsom Lake (Pond), Lincoln

This is the only reference to this particular Camp Roosevelt I have located - no other references found yet

      Sun Journal - October 19, 1920

Theodore Roosevelt Camp for Boys - Next to Hook Point Camps, Mattawamkeag Lake, Island Falls  - established in 1923

There are a couple of newspaper clippings that do mention the Roosevelt Camp for Boys. There is a resource stating that this particular Roosevelt Camp for Boys closed in 1942, and a recent social media post stating it closed in 1966.

Evening Express - March 26, 1923

A portion of my collection of TR-related books :) 

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

Click Here: For the list of links to Theodore Roosevelt Maine Heritage Trail Posts in Easy Order to View

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 first 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 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

Gold Book Award Winner plaque for

 Middle Reader category for The Eric

Hoffer Book Award. Congratulations to

award-winning Maine author,

Jean M. Flahive