July 15, 1939 - Car 31 before being delivered to the original ten-acre plot of land that
would become the main entrance to the Seashore Trolley Museum (STM)
would become the main entrance to the Seashore Trolley Museum (STM)
Handouts - Walking Talk - Original 10 Acres 3-16&17-2024 STM - Phil Morse Tour Guide
All dates are best utilized as stating “about, around, best fit” 🙂 A work in progress
All dates are best utilized as stating “about, around, best fit” 🙂 A work in progress
A rented old Mack Truck's rear end far left, with rails secured to its top that are extended
from beneath the end of 1900 Biddeford & Saco Railroad open car No. 31 with a young
unknown boy on his bicycle looking at the unknown photographer. The right end of Car 31
is held up by Bob Smart’s Mack Truck wrecker. To keep the front end tires of the wrecker on
the ground, the wrecker’s front end is chained to the rear end of Everett Greenleaf’s dump
truck, seen to the right of the wrecker. This “chained” together parade of vehicles was about
90-feet long. #31 was backed into the ROW. Look at the photo below and
think about how challenging that would have been. The Clough’s driveway was torn up a bit.
from beneath the end of 1900 Biddeford & Saco Railroad open car No. 31 with a young
unknown boy on his bicycle looking at the unknown photographer. The right end of Car 31
is held up by Bob Smart’s Mack Truck wrecker. To keep the front end tires of the wrecker on
the ground, the wrecker’s front end is chained to the rear end of Everett Greenleaf’s dump
truck, seen to the right of the wrecker. This “chained” together parade of vehicles was about
90-feet long. #31 was backed into the ROW. Look at the photo below and
think about how challenging that would have been. The Clough’s driveway was torn up a bit.
The next day, Ted, summering on Peaks Island in Casco Bay (Portland); boarded the ferry boat,
“Nancy Helen”, at the wharf in Portland walked to the Customs Building and took a Portland RR
trolley to Monument Square, he boarded a Portland bus for Old Orchard Beach,
then boarded a Biddeford and Saco Bus RR bus for Five Points then walked to
Granite Street Extension and continued walking about four miles along the former ASL ROW
to the Cloughs. Borrowed rake and shovel, repaired their driveway, and returned to Peaks
Island; by foot, bus, bus, trolley, and ferryboat (roundtrip 62 miles/12 miles of walking by foot).
“Nancy Helen”, at the wharf in Portland walked to the Customs Building and took a Portland RR
trolley to Monument Square, he boarded a Portland bus for Old Orchard Beach,
then boarded a Biddeford and Saco Bus RR bus for Five Points then walked to
Granite Street Extension and continued walking about four miles along the former ASL ROW
to the Cloughs. Borrowed rake and shovel, repaired their driveway, and returned to Peaks
Island; by foot, bus, bus, trolley, and ferryboat (roundtrip 62 miles/12 miles of walking by foot).
The map on the left shows the original ten acres - nearly 2,000 feet along the former ASL ROW.
Shaped like a 22% acute angle, with the vertex where the lines meet at approximately the Clough’s
driveway. The former Atlantic Shore Line ROW continues south to where it ran along the east side of
what was the Biddeford Road (currently Log Cabin Road). About where the main entrance to STM is
currently. This is where Harris Siding (Crossing) was located. The waiting room may have been
in the building that was Clough’s garage is barely seen on the far right in the above photo.
The 1954 photo is looking south from the ROW towards Kennebunbunkport. The covered
cellar in the background is Carl Clough’s (the house would be constructed over the next couple
of years), where members would be invited to have lunch and/or dinner, for a small fee.
The “Highway Monster” trailer is being constructed. The track “S” curve area was “Clough Crossing.”
Shaped like a 22% acute angle, with the vertex where the lines meet at approximately the Clough’s
driveway. The former Atlantic Shore Line ROW continues south to where it ran along the east side of
what was the Biddeford Road (currently Log Cabin Road). About where the main entrance to STM is
currently. This is where Harris Siding (Crossing) was located. The waiting room may have been
in the building that was Clough’s garage is barely seen on the far right in the above photo.
The 1954 photo is looking south from the ROW towards Kennebunbunkport. The covered
cellar in the background is Carl Clough’s (the house would be constructed over the next couple
of years), where members would be invited to have lunch and/or dinner, for a small fee.
The “Highway Monster” trailer is being constructed. The track “S” curve area was “Clough Crossing.”
1900 B&S RR Car 31 - "southern facing" end in the ROW of the former Atlantic Shore
Line Railway. The northern end is mostly on the southern end of the original ten acres
of what would become STM.
Car 31's truck is placed under its southern-facing end. November 11, 1939, Car 31
was extended fully onto the STM property. R: taken early in 1940.
1940-Nearly 60 members - 300 feet of track, one switch & overhead wire.
1940 track & proposed track work. Two tracks within the sidelines where the proposed
first carhouse position was graded for construction. Concrete pillars were poured
(known as “Stonehenge”) but never completed)
Right: 1906 Manchester St. Rwy No. 38’s body arrived early in 1940. On its trucks later.
first carhouse position was graded for construction. Concrete pillars were poured
(known as “Stonehenge”) but never completed)
Right: 1906 Manchester St. Rwy No. 38’s body arrived early in 1940. On its trucks later.
1940 - the third streetcar was the body of the former 1920 Portland Railroad/
Biddeford&Saco RR No. 615. (L:615-31-38) The fourth streetcar to arrive was
the body of 1895, Manchester St. Rwy. No. 60 (R:60-38)
The 1906 Car 38 at the Kennebunk train station, then, loaded onto a trailer and transported
to STM Spring 1940.
New England Electric Railway Historical Society was incorporated as a 501c3 organization
in 1941. Originally, the name of the organization was Seashore Electric Railway.
in 1941. Originally, the name of the organization was Seashore Electric Railway.
Transitioned to be known as the Seashore “Trolley Museum” later in the 1950s.
Visitors and the general public had referred to the site as the Trolley Museum.
Online access to Annual Reports (1940-) and Dispatch newsletters (1958-)
www.trolleymuseum.org
1941-1944 due to World War II, not a lot of activity. 1945- Reset and for many years
following, activities skyrocketed. 1946 & 1947 - Several cars/work cars were acquired
but were stored in other states for a while.
Visitors and the general public had referred to the site as the Trolley Museum.
Online access to Annual Reports (1940-) and Dispatch newsletters (1958-)
www.trolleymuseum.org
1941-1944 due to World War II, not a lot of activity. 1945- Reset and for many years
following, activities skyrocketed. 1946 & 1947 - Several cars/work cars were acquired
but were stored in other states for a while.
1919 YUCo Cars 82 & 80 arrived in 1946. 1926 YUCo 88 in 1947, along with
the 1929 S-117 Line truck (Photos Left and Center were taken later, maybe in
the early 1950s).
1918 Eastern MA No. 4387 arrived in 1947-Forest Fire 1947-1901 CT 303/615 arrived in 1948.
1906 CT Co. No. 1160 arrived in 1949. 1906 Electric locomotive ASL-100 arrived in 1949.
1949 CMP gave permission for a crossing - Cloughs gave permission to use a piece of their land
on the west side of the ROW to unload cars/equipment. Clough’s Crossing was established.
Burgeoning mainline heading north, east side of shop 1. 1927 - Eastern MA - 7005 arrives 1950.
Burgeoning mainline heading north, east side of shop 1. 1927 - Eastern MA - 7005 arrives 1950.
Looking south - Early 50s - Shop 1 in the background - 1950 - Old Mosquito Lake was filled in and
Shop 1 construction began in 1951 on that location - Sides and the doors were added by 1953.
Bunkhouse in the foreground - 1893 Mousam Railroad south of the Bunkhouse.
Right: Early 1950s - Shop 1 on the left…Mainline on the right with ASK-100, 1904 PD&Y Postal car.
1951 - 1931 Lehigh Valley No. 1030 arrives - Right: Power Station construction
Power Station lean-to was also used for sleeping quarters - 1952 - 1905 CT 838 and 1911 CT 1468.
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1952/53 - Shop 1 - L-1895 Boston El No.1059 arrives - R- 1903 Boston El No. 475 arrives
1952 - 40 loads of gravel used around Shop 1 and at the south entrance at Biddeford Road.
new 25-foot culvert and rebuild the unloading ramp.
The City of Manchester arrived. Uncanoonic Substation arrived and was placed
across the ROW from the Bunkhouse.
across the ROW from the Bunkhouse.
1954-1903 Claremont Flat Trailer arrives-1925 Blackpool double-decker -1924 Boston Elevated 5821.
1953 - 1267 arrives - the first car to operate with Power Station Elec. - Dec 1953 - Bunkhouse done
1954-Highway Monster trailer done-1912 Philadelphia Rapid No. 6618 acquired 1954-arrived 1955.
1954 - Barn moved from next door - hurricane did it in. Shop 1 Completed
1954-1894 West End No. 925-R-paint shed, storage, & Uncanoonic Station-1895 MStRwy No. 60
1954 - First year to be “officially” open to public visitors for the season-no rides-Souvenir shop/right
1955-Looking south from the roof of Shop 1. More than 100 acres were purchased in 1955.
Permission received to use 4 miles of the ROW. New grade extended mainline to the former
Permission received to use 4 miles of the ROW. New grade extended mainline to the former
ASL-ROW roadbed. Carpenter shop completed - Arlington Heights Loop arrived - not installed
Mainline extension and spur to South Boston
 |
1955-South Boston track. Construction-1956. Roofing completed-1958 - Sides added years later.
1956-First season for public rides - 10,000 visitors/limited parking - Land purchased
& work started at “The Terminal” on Rt. 1 (40 acres) -
R-1924 Montreal No. 504, 1906 Los Angeles Rwy
No. 521.1957 - Route 1 Terminal opened - 20,000 visitors
1958 - Permanent ramp - 1878 Union St. Rwy No. 34 - (1973 1906 Boston EL 5071 last car on
ramp before being razed) 700 members - 70 cars in the collection (50% of all trolley museums)
Started using “Trolley Museum” as media promotion - CMP ROW purchased -
The Dispatch newsletter began distribution.
1959 - 1915 B&W No. 149 arrived/set up across from Carpenter shop - Shop #2
was well underway and with the first poles for Riverside carbarn installed.
1960-1911 Nagasaki Elec. Tramway No. 60 arrives - 2 acres purchased from Cloughs
for Arlington Heights Loo, included the pine-grove picnic area - nearly 1,000 members
final year-“Terminal” use - Mainline to “C” Arlington Heights Loop constructed to begin
1961 - Mainline extended to Messerve’s Crossing - Gift shop moved (later barber shop
added) and was connected to the Carpenter Shop - the City of Manchester removed from
the Carpenter Shop earlier.
1962 - Arlington Heights Loop completed
The early 1960s - AdmisThe aion shelter, left, was moved to Arlington Heights Loop - right -
later moved again and added to the gift shop.
later moved again and added to the gift shop.
The early 1960s
1969 - Karl Johnson on ROW across from gift shop - all visitors entered/exited via ROW -
South Boston with “Little River” outhouse
South Boston with “Little River” outhouse
L- after the gift shop was moved and combined with the carpenter shop - the barber shop arrives
1970 showing barber shop added to Gift shop - 1912 Portland-Lewiston Interurban No. 14,
Narcissus in the parking lot. R -1974/75 after the older admission shelter was added to
the barbershop side of the gift shop and all was renovated
In the early 1970s just before the main entrance garage building and ramp were removed -
Aerial view of main entrance 1973/very early 1974 with no ramp of the garage building.
Aerial view of main entrance 1973/very early 1974 with no ramp of the garage building.
1973-the ramp had already been removed from just behind the building. This photo was taken
just before the building was razed. R: spring 1974 (Sign promoting the first Maine Day
May Day Concert for School Around Us.
The new main entrance sign with Silent Policeman later in 1973 or early 1974 R: 1974 Jim Hamlin
building the stone flower bed at the base.
The stone flower garden is looking great. R - Muddy spring.
Early 1970s Arundel Station arrives - Admission Shelter (built summer ‘74) next to the parking lot -
Tower C arrived in 1975
In the mid-1970s - Arundel Station and Admission Shelter at Arlington Heights Loop.
In the mid-1970s - Car 31 with Karl Johnson at the controls - R: 1981 main entrance.
1973/74 after garage and ramp removed/before main entrance sign - R -December 2021 by
Dan Viehman (Ernie Eaton) - Looking North
December 2023 by Eric Gilman - Looking South
Click Here: Birth of Seashore Trolley Museum - Interview with Founder Theodore Santarelli de Brasche
Click Here: Seashore Trolley Museum Website
Click Here: Millie Book Lesson Plans
Click Here: Millie Book Resources
Click Here: Theodore Roosevelt Maine Heritage Trail
Click Here: Maine Railways and Narcissus Project
Click Here: The Saga of Northampton Station Coming to Maine 1990
Click Here: 1901 Tower C Boston Elevated to STM 1975
Click Here: 80th Anniversary Seashore Trolley Museum 1939-2019
Click Here: "80th Anniversary Year-Seashore Trolley Museum - A Look Back at the 50s
Click Here: "80th Anniversary Year-Seashore Trolley Museum-A Look Back at the 60s
Click Here: "80th Anniversary Year-Seashore Trolley Museum-A Look Back at the 70s
Click Here: 80th Anniversary Trolley Parade at Seashore Trolley Museum 2019
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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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