Merrymeeting Park, Brunswick, Maine - 1899-1906

Brunswick, Maine, Merrymeeting Park - circa 1899 -

with its majestic three-story casino on the hill in the background.

The park was built by the Lewiston, Brunswick & Bath Street

Railway. O. R. Cummings Collection - 2009_2_19_082

Seashore Trolley Museum

     Electric street railway companies might not have considered themselves complete without having a pleasure resort destination available for their patrons during the golden years of the trolley era. The Lewiston, Brunswick & Bath Street Railway was formed by Amos Fitz Gerald of Fairfield, ME, later known as the "Electric Railway King of the Pine Tree State," and his associate, Isaac C. Libby of Waterville, ME.

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 Island Park Pleasure Resort and Trolleys 1902-1928 (Winthrop)

Click Here: for the post on Oakland Park 190w-1931 (Rockport)

    This blog post features images from the Lewiston, Brunswick & Bath Street Railway Merrymeeting Park. Much of the text and some images are from the book, Trolleys to Brunswick, Maine 1896-1937, by O. R. Cummings, presented as Transportation Volume 73 by the Connecticut Valley Chapter and the National Railway Historical Society- January-December 1966.  Additional images are credited individually. Several photos are from the book, The Trolley Parks of Maine, by Amber Tatnall, Randy Leclair, and Doreen Rogan: New England Electric Railway Historical Society - 2012. All others are credited as noted.

Passenger ticket 

O. R. Cummings Collection

Seashore Trolley Museum

Click Here: to read more on the history of the Lewiston, Brunswick & Bath Street Railway

Merrymeeting Park was opened to the public in the summer

of 1899. The attractions included this $30,000 casino.

Casinos of the day were not gambling establishments. 

The three-story casino had broad verandas, a very large dining

room, a dance hall, a parlor, and smoking rooms. PWM postcard

    Merrymeeting Park embraced a tract of 147 acres, all enclosed with a wire fence, located 1.5 miles from Brunswick. The enclosure embraced an area of cleared land, formerly farming land, which sloped away in two directions to the Androscoggin River. Interspersed with trees and bushes along some of the roughest portions, and a large section of a forest of native trees, at the edge of which was a deep ravine, where an open-air theatre was located. 

    One of the attractions was a large pond, which was fed by numerous springs and divided by a wire fence, one side being known as the swan pond and the other as the duck pond.

Twenty-six miles from Lewiston. Notice the castle-like stone

attachment to the veranda. Amos F. Gerald, the builder of the

Lewiston, Brunswick & Bath line, loved castles and frequently

incorporated a castle into the trolley parks he was

associated with. PWM postcard

    The principal park building was the large, three-story casino, which was located at the highest point of ground in the park, from which a fine view of the river could be had in either direction. In the river were numerous wooded islands, the shores of which were outlined by tall trees, presenting a scene of quiet beauty seldom equaled. 

Map showing the location of Merrymeeting Park, in

relationship to Brunswick, Maine.

O. R. Cummings Collection - 2009_2_19_076

Seashore Trolley Museum

The main entrance to Merrymeeting Park was at this

trolley stop that featured a long, covered platform

with waiting rooms. The entrance was a lofty trestle

spanning the Maine Central Railroad tracks, 

which was parallel with the trolley line tracks,

and ran through a deep gorge between the 

tracks and the resort.

O. R. Cummings Collection - 2009_2_19_077

Seashore Trolley Museum

Merrymeeting Park was located one and a half miles from

Brunswick on a 147-acre tract along the Androscoggin River - 

O. R. Cummings Collection - 2009_2_19_079

Seashore Trolley Museum

On approach to the casino, the visitors passed through the zoological department in which there were numerous houses, cages, and pens for the fine collection of animals that formed the principal attractions. 

The collection included a herd of buffalo, bears, moose, elk, deer, and foxes.

Vast lawns, ponds, and groves of trees made for a relaxing atmosphere.

Trolleys to Brunswick, Maine, 1896-1937, by O. R. Cummings

In the park's zoological garden, visitors could see a

herd of deer, monkeys, crocodiles, brightly colored birds,

and several buffalo. The zoo was also home to a stuffed

horse, purported to be the largest in the world.

PWM Postcard

Park visitors might wander along wooded pathways

strung with colored lights to the outdoor theatre.

The amphitheater, with a seating capacity of 3,000 patrons, was

built into the face of a sloping hillside, with an

open stage at its foot. Entertainments included minstrels,

vaudeville acts, magic shows, trapeze artists, tap dancing,

and comedy routines - and of course, the diving horse act.

Stock companies regularly performed comedic and

dramatic theatrical productions. The amphitheater had

programs that included band concerts.

PWM Postcard

    Frequently, the attendance in the early years at the park was from 2,000 to 4,000 people on a given day.

When patrons were looking to depart the park, the trolleys

were parked along the platform, ready to receive riders.

The cars were headed in both directions, as the park

attracted people from Brunswick and Bath and from

the Lewiston direction. The fare from Brunswick was

 5 cents, with a free admission to the theatre and park

attractions.

 O. R. Cummings Collection - 2009_2_19_078

Seashore Trolley Museum

The main entrance to Merrymeeting Park was this

trolley stop.  O. R. Cummings Collection - 2009_2_19_080

Seashore Trolley Museum

The "Merrymeeting" parlor car was popular for

being chartered by a group for special occasions.

It could be chartered for $10 a day. A special occasion was

frequently a group going to Merrymeeting Park.

Photo courtesy of Seashore Trolley Museum's Library.

Photo from O. R. Cummings 1959

publication, "Trolley Parlor Cars of New England"

A stately three-and-a-half-storied building with

brown shingle siding, white trim, and a tower served as the park's casino.

Wide verandas encircled the first and second stories,

where guests could lounge in Adirondack chairs. An arched

stone entranceway, complete with a turret,

greeted guests as they entered by trolley.

O. R. Cummings Collection - 2009_2_19_082

Seashore Trolley Museum

    The casino's dining room could seat 100 guests. It had a wide-ranging menu, serving American,

French, German, and Italian cuisine. The most popular meal, however, was the 50-cent shore dinner. The restaurant had a standing order for ten barrels of lobster every Sunday to satisfy the appetites of hungry

day-trippers.

The bridge walkway, to the wide dance platform, with

the majestic casino on the hill in the background.

O. R. Cummings Collection - 2009_2_19_085

Seashore Trolley Museum

    On fine evenings, guests could go dancing by the pond. A rustic bridge crossed the pond, and at its center was a wide dance platform illuminated by an arc light. On bright moonlit nights, the arc light could be turned off to create a more romantic atmosphere.

Rustic bridge in the background and the dance platform

in the center. Under the trees in a grove were

several Fairfield lawn swings.

O. R. Cummings Collection - 2009_2_19_084

Seashore Trolley Museum

 

The rustic bridge.

Light refreshments were available at a stand called the 

"Round house."

O. R. Cummings Collection - 2009_2_19_086

Seashore Trolley Museum

Map from the 2015 NEERHS book,

"The Illustrated Atlas of Maine's Street

& Electric Railways 1863-1946" - Seashore Trolley Museum

    The park's popularity did decline fairly quickly. Attendance rates, perhaps due to the comparatively pricey 30-cent fare, proved to be Merrymeeting Park's downfall. The park never made enough of a profit for the railway and closed in 1906 after only seven years of operation.

    The casino and other buildings were razed, and the animals were taken away, but the park grounds were

open for picnics and outings until 1915, when the property was sold by the Lewiston, Augusta & Waterville Street Railway for $17,500.

    The main gate at the former Brunswick Naval Air Station was just about opposite the former entrance to Merrymeeting Park, of which no traces remain today.

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

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, then 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

Gold Book Award Winner plaque for

 Middle Reader category for The Eric

Hoffer Book Award. Congratulations to

award-winning Maine author,

Jean M. Flahive

Waterville, Fairfield & Oakland Street Railway - Foster Leavitt, Sr. Collection - Album No. 7

Waterville, Fairfield & Oakland Street Railway (WF&O)

photo. College Avenue looking north toward Fairfield 1920.

The turnout is just south of this location. The waiting station

is on the left. George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

Foster Leavitt, Sr. and his brother, Edward "Eddie" Leavitt, like their father, Charles "Bob" Leavitt, worked as motormen and conductors for the Biddeford and Saco Railroad Company (B&SRR). The B&SRR like the Waterville and Fairfield Railroad Company, began as a horsecar railroad, then transitioned to become an electric railroad. Foster and Eddie also were early members of the Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport. Foster, Sr's love of trolleys was also passed down to his son Foster Leavitt, Jr. Between the father and son, they collected hundreds and hundreds of photos of electric railways and railroads from all over the State of Maine and many cities in the U.S.

Foster, Jr's son, Mike Leavitt was very kind and shared the many photo albums with me. Mike allowed me to copy photos and gave me permission to share the photos. In sharing, I always credit Mike's grandfather/father and individuals who may be credited on the backs of the photos.

Included in this post below are more than 85 photos of the WF&O from Album No. 7 of the Foster Leavitt, Sr. Collection that his grandson, Mike now has in his possession. These photos include some from the Waterville and Fairfield Railroad Company, The Waterville & Fairfield Railway & Light Company, The Waterville & Oakland Street Railway, and the Waterville, Fairfield & Oakland Railway Company. 

To show my appreciation to the Leavitt family, I'll share a few photos of them beginning the WF&O pictorial.

Foster Leavitt, Sr. (left) is the motorman. His brother,

Edward "Eddie" (right) was the conductor of Car 31 in 1938.

Like their father, Charles"Bob" Leavitt, both brothers

worked for the Biddeford and Saco Railroad for many years.

Charles "Bob" Leavitt at the Saco carbarn 1921.

Mr. Leavitt worked as a motorman at the

Biddeford and Saco Railroad for 39 years,

beginning in 1896. Seashore's Car 31 arrived

in Saco in June 1900 and Mr. Leavitt was one

of the motormen operating Car 31 from day 1.

Eddie Leavitt (left) was the conductor

and his brother, Foster Leavitt, Sr. (right) was the motorman

on Car 31 at Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport

in 1977. Both operated cars at the Museum throughout

the 1960s, 1970s, and into the 1980s.

Click Here: for the post on the ten Maine railway-related cars in the Seashore Trolley Museum's collection that have been listed in the National Register of Historic Places since 1980, including Car 31. 

June 23, 1999 - In 1999, as one of the activities to celebrate

the 60th anniversary of the SeashoreTrolley Museum and

the saving of Car 31, I organized a "Home Tour" for Car 31.

Car 31 returned to Saco, Biddeford, and Old Orchard Beach.

I did not know Mike Leavitt at the time, however, he, his wife,

and their two daughters attended the Saco celebration. Here they

are on Car 31 with Mike's grandfather, Foster, Sr's, motorman hat

on the bumper, that he wore while working for the B&SRR.

Mike's wife and daughters with Mike on

Car 31  on August 12, 2023, reenacting

their Car 31 photoshoot from 1999.

I just happened to take this photo of Mike's daughters

gifting their great grandfather's B&SRR motorman hat to

the Dyer Library with Car 31 in the background on June 23, 1999

Mike and his whole family are on Car 31. They represent

six generations connected with Car 31 over 123 years!

August 12, 2023

Separately, if you would like to view posts on the Fairfield & Shawmut Railway Company, the Benton & Fairfield Railway Company, the Lewiston, Auburn & Waterville Street Railway, or the Rockland, Thomaston & Camden Street Railway, simply click on the names.

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Collection - Album No. 7.

In the possession of his grandson, Mike Leavitt.

Label with the list of contents inside Album No. 7.

Click Here: for the post of the biography of former Fairfield resident, Amos Fitz Gerald, the Electric Railway King of the Pine Tree State.

Many photos did not have a date written on the back. If a particular trolley car and its number were listed, I then could establish a range of years that the photo was taken. I tried my best to have each photo have a caption with a date.

As folks view the photos, their locations, dates, and names of motormen/conductors if you can clarify any of the points or know any aspect to be mislabeled, please let me know and I can make the correction/addition.

Here we go...enjoy!

WF&O Western Avenue, Waterville, was dug up and cement

was poured/laid. George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O Second Rangeway, Waterville

March 1920. Looking west, a person is standing in front of

the waiting station on the right.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O Second Rangeway, Waterville March 1920.

Looking east, the spire at the peak of the waiting station roof

is visible just over the top of the pile of snow on the left.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O Oakland line.

Edwin "Bill" Robertson & George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O Church Street, Oakland, looking toward Main Street.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O looking east with approaching Fairgrounds at left

with the sand car No. 30 (1927-1937) at the turnout at

the top of the hill.  George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O Fairfield line with the town of Oakland in

the background. George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O with the town of Oakland in the background.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O - Second Rangeway

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O - Looking west - Second Rangeway

with the waiting station on the right.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O mainline between Second Rangeway and

the Fairgrounds. George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O mainline between Second Rangeway and

the Fairgrounds. George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O - Trolley coming down Grove Street Hill, Waterville.

This is the third hill. The picture is of cars Nos. 11 or

No. 12 or No. 13 at the foot of Grove Hill 1904/05.

Just about where the car is in the photo was the end of

the line in 1904/05. George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O mainline between Second Rangeway and

the Fairgrounds. George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O mainline between Second Rangeway and

the Fairgrounds. George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 103 on Colby College campus turnout on

College Avenue, Waterville. August 1936.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O trolley at the top of Grove Street Hill. There are

three hills on Grove Street. Looking west.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 103  (1931-1937) inside Fairfield carbarn.

A second trolley, No.34, can be seen in the background on

the left in the 2nd carbarn. George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 103 (1931-1937) on Water Street, Waterville.

The hill in the background on the right is Lockwood Hill.

Looking South. George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 103 (1931-1937) on Main Street, Fairfield.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 103 (1931-1937) on Water Street near Gold Street

in Waterville, looking south.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 103 (1931-1937) heading up Main Street to

the Post Office Square in Waterville. The trolley is heading

north toward Fairfield. George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 103 (1931-1937) on East Main Street, Oakland.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 103 (1931-1937) on Water Street turnout.

Looking south. George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 103 (1931-1937) on Main Street, Fairfield.

Looking north toward the end of the line.

No. 103 is near Burell Street. George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 103 (1931-1937) turning from Grove Street

onto Water Street, Waterville. Looking south.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 103 (1931-1937) on East Main Street, Oakland.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 103 (1931-1937) at the waiting station (small

building on the left with a spire extending up from the roof)

near the Oakland to Waterville Road. Looking east with

No.103 headed toward Oakland. George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

Looking south at WF&O No. 103 (1931-1937) is heading

north toward Fairfield on College Avenue, near

Spruce Street, Waterville.  George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

Looking north at WF&O No. 103 (1931-1937) is heading

north toward Fairfield a few hundred feet from the turnout.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

Looking south at WF&O No. 103 (1931-1937) is heading

north toward Fairfield on College Avenue, near Terry Street,

Waterville. George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

Looking south at WF&O No. 103 (1931-1937) is heading

north in Fairfield on Main Street.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 102 (1931-1937) at Fairfield carbarn one month

after being purchased from the Rockland, Thomaston &

Camden Street Railway in 1931. George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 102 (1931-1937)on the trestle crossing

the Massalonskee Stream at the Cascade Woolen Mill.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 103 (1931-1937) on Western Avenue, Waterville.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 101 (1931-1937) crossing the bridge heading

toward Waterville near the Fairgrounds.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 101 (1931-1937) on Main Street, Fairfield at

The Gerald on June 18, 1935. Nos. 101, 102, and 103 were

acquired from the Rockland, Thomaston, & Camden Street

Railway in 1931. A Roger Borrup photograph in the George E.

Cantara Photo Collection in Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo

Album Collection No. 7. Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 101 is on its side as it's being scrapped - 1937.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 60 in 1931. No. 60 was purchased from

the Brocton & Plymouth Street Railway in 1929.

Charles D. Heseltine Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 101 (1931-1937) on Western Avenue, Waterville.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 60 (1930-1937) near the carbarn in Fairfield.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 60 (1930 -1937) in Waterville.

Edwin "Bill" Robertson /George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 60 (1930-1937) at Fairfield Carbarn.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

A WF&O double-truck "Birney" trolley and a No. "50-series"

trolley at the turnout at the Colby College campus on the right

and where the Maine Central Railroad (MCRR) was on the left.

(1918-1937) Photo in Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album

Collection No. 7. Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

Interior of WF&O No. 56 (1922-1937). Acquired from

the Rockland, Thomaston  & Camden Street Railway in 1922.

Edwin "Bill" Robertson/George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

Builder's photo of WF&O No. 52 (built 1918) -

The G. C. Kuhlman Car Company, Cleveland, OH.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

Brand new WF&O No. 52  on Main Street, Fairfield 1918.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 54 (1922-1937) in front of the Fairfield carbarn.

Frank E. Butts Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No, 42 between Oakland and Waterville. 

March 6, 1925. Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 44 is ready to be unloaded at the MCRR 

freight yard in Waterville 1922. Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 42 near Fairfield (1922-1933)

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No, 42 on the Oakland line, March 6, 1925.

Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 42 (1922-1933) in front of the carbarn in Oakland.

Adelbert "Del" Decker - 3rd from right.

Photo in Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 42 on Main Street, Oakland.

Adelbert "Del" Decker, operator circa 1928.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 40 in Oakland circa 1935.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 40 with "Del" Decker circa 1928.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 40 in Oakland. June 18, 1935

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

Interior of WF&O No. 34 (looks to be early in the process

of being scrapped - 1937)

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O Nos. 34 and 44 being scrapped at the

Oakland carbarn - 1937. George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 34 in Waterville. No. 34 (1926-1937) was acquired

from Rockland, Thomaston & Camden Street Railway in 1926.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 34  at Oakland carbarn 1932

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No 34 (1926-1937) was built by the Wason Company for 

the Rockland, Thomaston & Camden Street Railway and was 

acquired by the WF&O in 1926. Charles D. Heseltine Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 23 (1911-1922) "split the switch" and struck

a utility pole at the Fairfield Carbarn. George E. Cantara

Photo in Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 16 at Messalonski Hall carbarn in Oakland circa

1911. No. 16, a former Boston Elevated Railway trolley.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O Nos. 17 and 18 were ten-bench open cars that were

originally purchased in 1891 by Waterville & Fairfield St. Rwy.

In 1911 they became WF&O cars. No. 17 was scrapped in 1920.

No. 18 was scrapped in 1922. This photo is at the Fairfield carbarn.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 20  on East Main Street, Oakland. No. 20 is

headed toward the carbarn circa 1912.

George E. Cantara Postcard in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 10 on Water Street at Sherwin Turnout, Waterville.

L. Eugene Nolette (l) and  R. Henry Proulx (r) circa 1914.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&L No. 13 at Grove Street, Waterville 1904.

L-R is conductor William McAuley, Lloyd A. McAuley,

Hazel McAuley, and motorman Joseph Gillis.

End of the line at the top of the hill in front of

the Pine Grove Cemetery. Tracks were later extended to

Silver Street. Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&L No. 8 (1903-1911) near the front of Oakland carbarn.

No. 8 was a "Duplex Convertible." The sides of the car were

rolled up into the roof pockets. Left is motoman Lew Hutchinson,

with conductor G. T. Leavitt on the right at the end of the car.

Photo in Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&L No. 12 (1900-1911), a 12-bench open car at the end

of the line in Fairfield. Bill Ireland (l) was the conductor

and Walter Steeves (r) was the motorman.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 2 (1903-1911)(No. 20- 1911-1922)

Main Street, Waterville.

Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

Messalonskee Hall on Messalonskee Lake (view from the lake)

was a combination carbarn and dance hall in Oakland for

the Waterville and Fairfield Railway circa 1905.

Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

Messalonskee Hall, the combination carbarn and dance hall

at Oakland, Maine, as it looked in 1905. Cars are 14-bench

open No. 3, formerly owned by the Portland & Brunswick

Street Railway Company and Duplex No. 6. At the extreme

left is Amos F. Gerald and next to him, partially hidden by

No. 3, is Superintendent Lester Choate.

Photo in Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

Click Here: for the post of the biography of Fairfield resident, Amos Fitz Gerald, the Electric Railway King of the Pine Tree State.

WF&L end of the line in Fairfield at Gerald Hotel.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 9 on its side in Shoddy Hollow, North Vasselboro

1920. WF&O work car (probably No. 33 

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No 33 (1924-1937) work car at the Fairgrounds.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 2 snow plow on Oakland line 1920.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O Oakland line re-opened after a snowstorm.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 8 snow plow. (1931-1937) was acquired from 

the Rockland, Thomaston & Camden Street Railway in 1931.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

W&F No. 2 snow plow in front of the Fairfield carbarn

circa 1903. No. 2 was built by the Waterville and Fairfield

Railway and is said that the plow blades were fabricated at

the Maine Central Railroad shops in Waterville.

Photo in Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O Nos. 2, 50, 54, 56, 52, and line car No. 33 at

the Fairgrounds, each awaiting its turn to be scrapped - 1937.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O Nos. 40, 2 snow plow and inside Fairfield carbarn

after the carbarn survived a fire on January 21, 1936.

Edwin"Bill" Robertson/George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

Shoveling out the snow in front of the Oakland carbarn.

Photo looking toward Main Street.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O end of the line at the Oakland carbarn.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

Interior of the WF&O Oakland carbarn circa 1937.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

Waterville & Fairfield Railway No. 1 June 23, 1888. The first

horsecar to operate between Fairfield and Waterville.

Theodore F. Stephens is seen here as the driver of the first car.

He also was operating the controller of the last trolley for a portion

of the final trip from Waterville to Fairfield departed at

12:40 a.m., on October 11, 1937. A couple hours later,

the regular operator of the trolley, Ernest J. King returned

the trolley to the Fairfield carbarn, thus ending service.

Buses began service at 5:15 a.m.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

These next few photos of WF&O are in the Edwin "Bill" Robertson Collection that I have in my possession.

(Circa 1930-1937)

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

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