This siding was originally built for the Portland & Cape
Elizabeth Railway in 1898 and was a short distance before
Cape Cottage Park in Cape Elizabeth. Looks like an 800-series
Wason-built trolley on the left siding and a Pre-Payment car
(254?) on the through-track at what is now 635 Shore Road.
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_034_100
Photo resources used in this blog post are courtesy of Seashore Trolley Museum's Library; specifically from the O. R. Cummings Collection, Phil Morse (PWM), O. R. Cummings books, "Portland Railroad" Part 1, 1957, and Part 2, 1959. and from the Penobscot Maritime Museum; specifically from the Eastern Collection, which has more than 47 thousand images available to view online!!! I also received assistance with research from staff and volunteers at the South Portland Historical Society at Cushing's Point Museum in South Portland, ME.
Monument Square in Portland, Maine was the hub for all the early horse-drawn and electric railway systems running into and out of Portland. This blog features the high-speed, luxury interurban, No. 14, Narcissus of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban (PLI) that is now being restored at Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine. The Narcissus and nine other Maine vehicles used on electric railways have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1980. Though we are deep into the research of information and materials related to the PLI and the Narcissus for use in creating the interpretation portion of the Narcissus project, it's too hard to resist posting other interesting electric railway tidbits from Maine's transportation history. With that in mind, from 1914 until 1933, the Narcissus, as a PLI interurban, operated into and out of Monument Square to pick up and discharge passengers. As we approach Maine's Bicentennial year (2020), this blog will release posts that relate to many electric railway operations throughout the State of Maine. One of the first in the series will be a more comprehensive look at the Portland Railroad. The 470 Railroad Club in Portland will host a public presentation on the history of the Portland Railroad beginning at 7 p.m. on October 17, 2018, at 75 State Street, Portland, Maine; the entrance to the meeting hall is on Gray Street between Gray & Park Street.
This blog post is one that will be a bit of a teaser for that presentation at the 470 Railroad Club next month and will show a few images of the Portland Railroad trolleys in South Portland. Electric railway service began in South Portland and Cape Elizabeth in 1895 with the Portland and Cape Elizabeth Railway and the Cape Elizabeth Street Railway. Before the year 1895 ended, the two systems consolidated and retained the name of Portland and Cape Elizabeth Railway. The Portland Railroad took control of the Portland and Cape Elizabeth Railway in February of 1899.
Click Here to go to the post: Maine Bicentennial - Portland Railroad - A History of Public Transportation 1860-1941
Click Here to go to the post: Portland Railroad - Westbrook, Gorham & So. Windham Revisited
Click Here to go to the post: Portland Railroad - Forest Avenue to Riverton Park Revisited
Click Here to go to the post: Portland Railroad - Congress Street Revisited: Monument Sq.-Union
Click Here to go to the post: Portland Railroad - Munjoy Hill Revisited
Click Here to go to the post: Portland Railroad: Trolley Through Scarborough, Maine
No. 803 leaving the siding at what is now 635 Shore Road in
Cape Elizabeth. 803 was built in 1922 by the Wason Company
in Springfield, MA., and was part of the final order of new
trolleys (cars 800-805) ever built for the Portland Railroad.
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_034_097
Today, the same two homes along with the stone wall are
still in place. 635 Shore Road, Cape Elizabeth, ME -
September 3, 2018 - PWM
The date of this image is unknown, but we do know that this
section of track (and probably the siding) was built in 1898.
635 Shore Road, Cape Elizabeth, ME -
Courtesy Penobscot Marine Museum LB2007.1.112107
635 Shore Road, Cape Elizabeth, ME
September 3, 2018 - PWM
Attractions in Cape Elizabeth were major destinations for passengers via the Portland Railroad trolleys. Opening on June 11, 1898, Cape Cottage Park was a trolley park built by the Portland and Cape Elizabeth Railway. A large casino and a theater were major features of the park that drew thousands of guests and visitors to the area each year.
Postcard of Cape Cottage Casino.
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_034_123
Screenshot from Google Maps of the former Cape Cottage
Casino in Cape Elizabeth that has been a private residence
for many, many years.
One of the original 1895 10-bench, single truck, open cars
built by J. M. Jones & Son, Troy, NY, for Portland &
Cape Elizabeth Railway at what is now 519 Cottage Road
in South Portland just before crossing the city/town line
into Cape Elizabeth where the name of the road becomes
Shore Road in Cape Elizabeth. Courtesy Seashore Trolley
Museum Library: O. R. Cummings Collection
2009_2_034_003
519 Cottage Road, South Portland, ME -
September 1, 2018 - PWM
Here is the open trolley car No. 264 again, this time at the
corner of Sawyer and High Streets in South Portland, ME.
Postcard in the collection of PWM
Same corner on August 31, 2018 - PWM
No. 17 in Legion Square, South Portland, Maine. 17 was built
in 1895 for the Portland & Cape Elizabeth Railway by
the J. M. Jones & Son Co. in Troy, NY. Most of the single-
truck open and closed trolleys, like 17 were removed from
service following the end of WW I and then were sold
for scrap/junk in 1921.
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_034_019
No. 506 was built in 1908 by the J. G. Brill Co., Philadelphia,
PA, for the New Jersey and PA Traction Railway. 506 was
purchased by the Portland Railroad during WW I years
to help handle the increase in passengers in the Portland
area during WW I. Here 506 is seen in South Portland
at Legion Square with the Masonic building in the
background. Courtesy Seashore Trolley
Museum Library: O. R. Cummings Collection
2009_2_034_018
Screenshot from Google Maps of Legion Square with
the Masonic building in the background.
With help from a visit to the South Portland Historical Society at Cushing's Point Museum, I located the Mount Pleasant Cemetery in South Portland. I purchased some great local history books from the Museum store. I would strongly encourage you to make a visit :)
Jackie at the South Portland Historical Society took a look at this
image and noticed that the fence and the unique structure
in the background looked familiar. She thought
the image might have been taken at the Mount Pleasant
Cemetery. And so it was :) See the images below.
Courtesy Seashore Trolley
Museum Library: O. R. Cummings Collection
2009_2_034_029
The image was taken from about the same point of view, but
during a different season which has greenery blocking some
of the view :)
From about 331 Cottage Road, South Portland, ME
September 1, 2018 - PWM
above at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, South Portland, ME
From Cottage Road, South Portland, ME
September 1, 2018 - PWM
At the corners of Mitchell Road and Cottage
Road in South Portland, ME. Across the street
is the Mount Pleasant Cemetery. This now
repurposed streetlight pole was originally a
trolley line pole (circa 1915) and would have
had a metal arm extending from it to carry the
electricity for the trolley cars to operate. It is
wonderful to see the original ornate cap still
in place on its top and especially exciting to
see the original ornate base covering
which was made by the Portland Company in
Portland, ME.
September 1, 2018 - PWM
The ornate cap on top of the former
PRR trolley line pole in South Portland.
September 1, 2018 -PWM
The ornate cover at the base of the former
PRR trolley line pole in South Portland. The
base was made by the Portland Company.
September 1, 2018 -PWM
No. 615 was built in 1920 by the Wason Company,
Springfield, MA, for the Portland Railroad, and in 1936 was
sold to the Biddeford & Saco Railroad. Here, 615 has just been
loaded on a trailer at Thornton Heights, South Portland, for
the trip to Saco. 615 is the sole surviving electric railway
trolley from the Portland Railroad of the more than 200
passenger trolleys that operated on the line. 615 has been
listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1980.
615 is at Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, ME,
where it awaits funding for its restoration.
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:
O. R. Cummings Collection
We are still in need of funds for creating the interpretation programs that will tell this fascinating 100+-year-old story of the Narcissus. For information on donation options, scroll down this post and find the one that best fits your position. Fund 816 to help with the restoration and Fund 817 (PLI Education-Interpretation programs ) should be noted when making a donation.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Click Here for the post that has the short virtual 3-D video of the digital model of the Narcissus, with components added to the file from earlier this year (the gold leaf file had not been added yet).
Restoration work continues on the Narcissus. The Narcissus is more than 110 years old now and has so many incredible stories to share. The restoration of this majestic icon of Maine's electric railway history is but one of those incredible stories.
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.
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
Seashore Trolley Museum Promo Video
The paperback edition of Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride can be purchased online through the Seashore Trolley Museum's store website. Books purchased through the Museum's website directly benefit the Museum and the Narcissus project.
Click Here to go to the Museum Store web page to order online
Click Here to go to the Amazon page to order the ebook or audiobook online
Paperback books are available at these local bookstores in Maine:
Center for Maine Crafts, West Gardiner Service Plaza
The Book Review, Falmouth
The Bookworm, Gorham
Letterpress Books, Portland
Maine Historical Society Store, Portland
Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad, Portland
Morph Gallery & Emporium, Kennebunk
New Gloucester Historical Society, New Gloucester
Nonesuch Books and More, South Portland
Seashore Trolley Museum, Kennebunkport
Sherman's Maine Coast Book Shops, All Locations
Thompson's Orchard, New Gloucester
Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride
by Jean M. Flahive
Illustrations by Amy J. Gagnon
Listen to a 2-minute, 30-second, Retail Audio Sample of the Audiobook
Millie Thayer is a headstrong farmer's daughter who chases her dreams in a way you would expect a little girl nicknamed "Spitfire" would run full tilt and with her eyes on the stars. Dreaming of leaving the farm life, working in the city, and fighting for women's right to vote, Millie imagines flying away on a magic carpet. One day, that flying carpet shows up in the form of an electric trolley that cuts across her farm. A fortune-teller predicts that Millie's path will cross that of someone famous. Suddenly, she finds herself caught up in events that shake the nation, Maine, and her family. Despairing that her dreams may be shattered, Millie learns, in an unexpected way, that dreams can be shared.
A resource for teachers
Companion curriculum State-standard-based units,
vocabulary, and reading activities for use in grades 3-8
are available online as downloadable resources through
Seashore Trolley Museum's website
www.trolleymuseum.org/elegantride/
Maine Historical Society has created eight companion lesson units in Social Studies and ELA that were inspired by Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride - These State-standard-based lesson plans for use in grades 6, 7, and 8 are easily adapted for use in grades 3-5. Vocabulary and Reading activities for grades 3-8 along with the eight lesson plan units are available free and may be downloaded through Seashore Trolley Museum's website www.trolleymuseum.org/elegantride/
Go to the Teacher Resource Page in the pull-down for more details.
A 60-second intro to Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride by author, Jean Flahive
Click Here to watch the video on YouTube
Award-winning author, Jean M. Flahive
Please Consider a Donation to the Narcissus Project to help us tell the incredible story of the Narcissus through the interpretation portion of the Narcissus Project.
Here is an example of how donations to the Narcissus Project now will help with the interpretation portion of the project. The interpretation programming will include exhibits, displays, and education programming. In 2019, through generous donations to the Narcissus Project, we were able to conserve, replicate, and have high resolutions digital image files made of the original, 1910, 28.5-foot long, surveyor map of the elevation and grade of the 30-mile private right-of-way of the Portland, Gray, and Lewiston Railroad (Portland-Lewiston Interurban) Click Here
Thank You!
the crowd gathered in Gray, Maine on August 18, 1914.
Image courtesy of Gray Historical Society
The Narcissus as the Sabattus Lake Diner in Sabattus, Maine,
circa 1940. Photo by John Coughlin in the Kevin Farrell
Collection at Seashore Trolley Museum
L. Henri Vallee (right) and family members in the
Narcissus, when it was Vallee's summer camp in
Sabattus, Maine circa 1958. Photo courtesy Daniel Vallee
Inside the Donald G. Curry Town House Restoration Shop, the Narcissus is in the midst of major work as we strive to complete its restoration. We are now planning the interpretation portion of the Narcissus Project. Donations to the Narcissus Project may be used in the future to help tell the incredible 100-plus-year-old story of the Narcissus. Your donation to the Narcissus is helping to make the dream of the project's success, a reality.
See below for Donation options -
It starts with YOU
Your Donation Matters
Make a Donation TODAY
Please Help the Narcissus.
Donation Options to Help the Narcissus Project:
The New England Electric Railway Historical Society
is the 501c3 organization that owns and operates the Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, ME, and the National Streetcar
Museum in Lowell (MA).
The New England Electric Railway Historical Society registered with the IRS (EIN# 01-0244457) and was incorporated in Maine in 1941.
Check or Money Order ***** should be made payable to:
New England Electric Railway Historical Society
In the memo: for a donation to the Interpretation programming
please write: PLI Education Fund 817
For a donation to help with the restoration write: Narcissus Fund 816
Mail to: Seashore Trolley Museum
P. O. Box A
Kennebunkport, ME 04046
Credit Card ***** donations can be one-time donations or you
may choose to have a specific amount charged to your card
automatically on a monthly basis. Please contact the Museum bookkeeper, via email at finance@trolleymuseum.org or by phone, at 207-967-2800 ext. 3.
Online Donations - may be made by using a Credit Card:
Click Here to make an online donation through the Museum's website - When at the Donation page: Fill in donor info, etc., when at "To which fund are you donating? Scroll down to "Other" and type in 816 Narcissus, then continue filling in the required information.
Click Here for PayPal - to make an online donation: you can use email: finance@trolleymuseum.org and in the message box write:
For "Narcissus Fund 816" - if supporting the restoration
For "PLI Education Fund 817" - if supporting Interpretation programs
Donation of Securities ***** We also accept donations of
securities. You can contact the Museum bookkeeper, via email at finance@trolleymuseum.org or by phone, at 207-967-2800 ext. 3,
for brokerage account information for accepting donated securities.
BONUS ***** If you work for a company/corporation that will
"match" an employee's donation to an approved 501c3 non-profit
educational organization, please be sure to complete the necessary paperwork with your employer so that your donation is matched :)
Questions? ***** Please contact Narcissus project sponsor:
Phil Morse, narcissus@gmail.org or call 207-985-9723 - cell.
Thank You :)
Thank You for our Current Funding Partners
* 20th Century Electric Railway Foundation - 2020/2018 - Major Gift, 2017/2014 Matching Grants
* Renaissance Charitable Foundation (LPCT) by Fiduciary Trust Charitable Giving Fund
* Renaissance Charitable Foundation (LPCT) by Fiduciary Trust Charitable Giving Fund
* Mass Bay RRE - 2018 Railroad Preservation Grant
* Thornton Academy (Saco, ME) - Staff & Alumni - Matching Grant Challenge 2014
* New England Electric Railway Historical Society (Kennebunkport, ME) - Member Donations
* Amherst Railway Society - 2015 Heritage Grant
* National Railway Historical Society - 2016 & 2015 Heritage Preservation Grants
* Enterprise Holding Foundation - 2015 Community Grant
* Theodore Roosevelt Association - Member Donations
* John Libby Family Association and Member Donations
* The Conley Family - In Memory of Scott Libbey 2018/2017/2016/2015
* The W. S. Libbey Family - Awalt, Conley, Graf, Holman, Libbey, McAvoy, McLaughlin, Meldrum, O'Halloran, Salto, - 2018/2017
* The Hughes Family 2017/2016/2010
* New Gloucester Historical Society and Member Donations
* Gray Historical Society and Member Donations
* Gray Public Library Association - Pat Barter Speaker Series
* Scarborough Historical Society - PRR/PLI
* LogMein - Matching Employee Donation
* IBM - Matching Employee/Retiree Donations
* Fidelity Charitable Grant - Matching Employee Donations
* Richard E. Erwin Grant - 2017/2016
The Narcissus, with interior back-lit, stained glass windows is majestic.
Make a donation today to help restore the interior of this Maine gem.
Help Theodore Roosevelt's Maine Ride get back on track! Once restored,
you will be able to ride in luxury on this National Register Treasure at
Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine.
PWM photo
Please Consider Making a Donation to the project of the National Register of Historic Places member, Narcissus. We are currently raising funds to advance the restoration and to tell the incredible story of this Maine gem.
Various News stories during the summer of 2015 about the
Narcissus and its connection to Theodore Roosevelt. TR
was a passenger on the Narcissus on August 18, 1914.
Patricia Pierce Erikson photo
The Narcissus - July 31, 2015. Make a donation today.
Help Theodore Roosevelt's Maine Ride get back on track!
Once restored, you will be able to ride in luxury on this
National Historic Treasure at
