Sorting and Cleaning the Interior of the 1912 Portland Lewiston Interurban No. 14, Narcissus has begun

The Narcissus, as she looked upon arrival at the

Seashore Trolley Museum in 1969.

     The Narcissus entered the restoration shop on May 20, 2015. On Saturday and Sunday, June 13 and 14, 2015, in the comfy confines of Seashore Trolley Museum's Townhouse Restoration Shop in Kennebunkport, ME, we began cleaning and sorting materials stored in the interior of the 1912 Portland Lewiston Interurban No. 14, Narcissus.

     One of the items uncovered was the remnants of one banner displayed on the side of the Narcissus in 1969 when she was first trucked from her site as a camp near Sabattus Pond near Lewiston, Maine.  The truck route, with much fanfare through Lewiston, on the road to the Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, followed the route of the old Portland Lewiston Interurban to Portland as best could be done. Media coverage was strong, and people were encouraged to make donations to the restoration of the PLI gem so that PLI patrons from the past could come to ride the majestic beauty once more along the Seashore Trolley Museum's railway line. The banner thanked the businesses that had donated materials, labor, or made financial contributions towards the task of the Museum acquiring the body of Narcissus. The "task" was that the Museum needed to replace the "camp," Narcissus, with a foundation and a "shell" of a three-room camp. Once this task was completed, the Narcissus was signed over to the Museum.

Banner remnants from the 1969 road trip of the Narcissus.

Worn while traveling from Sabattus Pond to Seashore Trolley Museum

PWM image

      Years before the transfer of ownership to the Museum, Museum members contacted the "camp" Narcissus owner in hopes that he would allow them to acquire the car. Anticipating that the deal would ultimately be made, these members were searching for electrical, mechanical, accessory, and truck components years in advance. Acquiring trucks would be a very high priority. In the mid-sixties, a pair of trucks that were not of the original type, but very close, was found in Canada, and with assistance from the Governor of Maine, John Reed, was donated to the Museum as a gesture of International Goodwill in 1965. This is but one story of many, many stories that help make up the 103-year-old, colorful life of the Narcissus. This blog will bring these stories to you from time to time, as well as updates on the restoration and the developing Teddy Roosevelt Days fundraising event to benefit the Narcissus that is being hosted at Seashore Trolley Museum from July 31 through August 2.

A section of the interlocking floor tiles in the center aisle

of the Narcissus 6.15.15 PWM

Showing the wear of perhaps as many as one million

passengers from 1914 through 1933. Notice the difference

between the edge tiles and the center tiles. This section is where

the first step in or out of the passenger compartment

to/from the smoking compartment is on the Number 1 end

of the Narcissus. PWM 6.15.15

Passenger windows from the Narcissus are in various degrees

of condition. They will be assessed individually. Then, a plan for

its restoration will be created and implemented.

PWM 6.15.15

Some items are beyond being able to be

restored. This is a nut and bolt that is a great teaching tool

and may very well find a restored life in education. PWM

The interior of the Narcissus looks towards the number 1 end.

The paper in the center aisle is covering the remaining interlocking

rubber tiles. This paper is to help protect the tiles before their

assessment inspection.

15-year Museum member, James Morse, accepts his father's

request for a "selfie" nearing the end of the second day of

helping his dear old Dad, Phil Morse, sort and clean the interior

of the Narcissus on Saturday & Sunday, June 13/14, 2015. PWM

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

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

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 captivate, fascinate, then generate 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 donating 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

Narcissus Enters Town House Restoration Shop May 20, 2015

1912 Portland-Lewiston Interurban No. 14, Narcissus about

to enter the Town House Restoration Shop at

Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, ME 5-20-2015

On May 20, 2015, the 1912 Portland-Lewiston Interurban No. 14, the Narcissus, entered the Townhouse Restoration Shop of Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine. The restoration will begin on the National Register beauty. Theodore Roosevelt was a passenger on the Narcissus on August 18, 1914.

Seashore Trolley Museum's Boston plow is used to move the Narcissus PWM

Seashore Trolley Museum will be hosting a Teddy Roosevelt Days fundraising event for the Narcissus on the weekend of July 31 through August 2. The event will celebrate TR the Naturalist and the Narcissus.
The event listing. Scroll down the page to the Donation Options.

Follow the Narcissus Project Blog by subscribing :)

Narcissus in place PWM

Narcissus PWM

     See previous Narcissus blog posts to learn about the completed stained glass work

Below is a short video of the move into the shop (the speed of the video was increased 2x)

                                     

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

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

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 captivate, fascinate, then generate 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 donating 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

Patron Pines for the PLI - A Poem - 1939 Portland Lewiston Interurban

Portland-Lewiston Interurban -  Lewiston down through

Auburn, New Gloucester, Gray, West Cumberland,

West Falmouth, to Deering Junction in Portland. Up Forest

Avenue to Portland Street, then Presble Street, into

Monument Square - 1914-1933

Map of Maine c 1920 with all electric railways - red lines 

To the Grand Old Interurban

by Mrs. Margaret Turner

June 29, 1939

The shining rails are silent,                    

The sandy roadbed lays                          

 A grim and lone reminder                      

 Of the good old days.                               

The days when the Interurban              

 on schedule every time,                          

 Came humming down the railway       

 Of the Portland-Lewiston Line.            

When the sun is slowly sinking           

At the close of a busy day,                   

In fancy, I hear her whistle                

In the distance, far away.                   

Even the trees and bushes                 

That, beside the old track, grew        

Are whispering and sighing               

They're lonely for her too.                  

 Tho she's gone forever, her memory

  Time, never can, erase                         

  And the buses that replaced her        

 Can never take her place.                   

 She served us every hour                   

 Like a true and faithful friend          

Wherever we wished to go                

On her...we could depend.               

There's a haunting sort of silence  

Along that deserted line.                 

That went, a regretful sacrifice      

To the progress of "Time."             

She's gone but not forgotten          

We're proud of the record fine      

Of the grand old Interurban          

  And the Portland-Lewiston Line.   

Written by Mrs. Margaret Turner and read at the former PLI employees' second reunion held on June 29, 1939 (excerpt from the 1967 book by O. R. Cummings, Maine's Fastest Electric Railroad: Portland Lewiston Interurban, Bulletin No. 3, New England Electric Railway Historical Society).

More than 120 former employees attended the second reunion on June 29, 1939. This reunion took place at the Pennell Institute gymnasium (Newbegin Hall) in Gray. 

Maine's finest and fastest electric railway, the Portland-Lewiston Interurban (PLI), commenced operation on Thursday, July 2, 1914, its 34.6 miles of track extending almost north from a connection at Monument Square in Portland, Maine, to a connection at Union Station in Lewiston, Maine. Operations concluded on June 28, 1933, after carrying nearly 7 million, 302 thousand passengers.

The Narcissus as a camp at Sabattus Pond, Maine, June 1969.

Preparing it for transportation to the Seashore Trolley Museum had

begun. The move took place on October 31, 1969.

Photo from O. R. Cummings Collection STM

    The lone surviving representative of the PLI interurbans, No. 14, Narcissus, was acquired in 1969 by the Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine. Anticipating the acquisition began in 1965. Over the ensuing years, components and other pertinent materials to help with the restoration of the historic PLI icon have been obtained. Some preliminary restoration work and planning have taken place. The Museum is now prepared to have the Narcissus enter the Museum's restoration shop to implement the plan of work to restore this historic treasure to operating condition for public demonstration on the Museum's heritage railway. The Narcissus has been listed in the National Register of Historic Places since 1980 (#1980111480000262), along with nine other Maine railway vehicles.

Theodore Roosevelt, 26th President of the United States, was a passenger on the Narcissus on August 18, 1914.

    There is a weekend fundraising event scheduled from July 31 through August 2, 2015, at Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine. Titled, Theodore Roosevelt: Naturalist, Nature, and the Narcissus. The weekend event honors TR's passion for observing and understanding nature, his vigor for an active outdoor life, his commitment to conservation, and his connections to Maine, including the Museum's 1912 Portland Lewiston Interurban, No. 14, Narcissus.

    As someone who enjoys finding coincidences of dates that connect historical events, concerning this post, the poem featured in this post was read publicly at a PLI employees' reunion on June 29, 1939. Three days later, on July 2, 1939, the fourth and final majestic carving at Mount Rushmore, that of Theodore Roosevelt, was dedicated. During that same week, perhaps on either or both of those two days, the young gentlemen who would become known as the "founding fathers" of Seashore Trolley Museum, were pooling their very limited financial resources together and seeking contributions from a few friends to make a deposit of $108 (the total price was $150), on July 5, 1939 (the $42 balance was paid several days later), for the purchase of 1900, open car from the Biddeford and Saco Railroad, No. 31. The very first trolley car preserved, anywhere in the world, by private citizens to start what would become a trolley museum.

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

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

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 captivate, fascinate, then generate 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

Longfellow Square is Where the Theodore Roosevelt International Highway Begins

This postcard states State Street from Longfellow Square in Portland,
Me. This is the starting point of the 4,060 miles of the

Theodore Roosevelt International Highway.

Collection of PWM

Updated - 7-9-2026

Click here to view the history of creating and the dedication of the Longfellow Statue

May 31, 2026, Joe Banavige released this wonderful American 250 Tribute to William W " Bill" Sewall, TR's Maine guide (along with Wilmot Dow, Bill's nephew) 

Click Here to see Joe's Substack post

      New in 2022 - First Post for the Theodore Roosevelt Maine Heritage Trail - June 16, 2022

      First Look at Logo - "My Debt To Maine" - Logo - Theodore Roosevelt Maine Heritage Trail 6-15-22

     Theodore Roosevelt was a passenger aboard the Narcissus on August 18, 1914. He was campaigning for the Progressive Party candidates between Lewiston, Maine, and Portland, Maine. As the volunteer project manager overseeing the restoration of the National Register of Historic Places member, Narcissus, at Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine, I have done a fair amount of research on Theodore Roosevelt and his connections to Maine throughout his life. This blog post was originally released in 2015.  Here is the updated version.

     The Seashore Trolley Museum's Theodore Roosevelt event, July 31 through August 2, 2015, is named Teddy Roosevelt Days: Celebrating the Naturalist and the Narcissus. The weekend event honors TR's passion for observing and understanding nature, his vigor for an active outdoor life, his commitment to conservation, and his connections to Maine, including the Museum's 1912 Portland-Lewiston Interurban, No. 14, Narcissus.

     Henry Wadsworth Longfellow may best be known as an iconic American figure in literature. He is honored in numerous ways throughout his hometown, Portland, Maine. I was surprised to learn that he has a Maine connection to Theodore Roosevelt, more than their shared passion for literature.  For me, these unexpected findings are like walking into a "surprise!!" moment. Being caught totally off guard. In a good way. And feeling that instant rush of exhilaration. It's pretty special for me.

     In a previous Trolley-related research project, I came across the Seashore Trolley Museum, which has artifacts connected to Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882). The connection is through his nephew, Alexander Wadsworth Longfellow, Jr. (1854-1934). Alexander was the architect of the original way stations of the Boston Elevated Railway. Seashore Trolley Museum has one of those buildings on campus and a switching station constructed during the same time, 1901. The Northampton Street Station and Tower C switching station. 

     Now, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow connects us to Theodore Roosevelt. The bronze statue of Longfellow seated in the heart of Longfellow Square was dedicated in September 1888. Originally, State Street passed the statue on both sides. It is no longer the case. State Street, heading northwest from the Square, is where the Theodore Roosevelt International Highway (TRIH) began its long and winding trek through the northern border of the United States and even into Ontario, Canada, for a stint. That Canadian segment gives the highway its international flavor.  The TRIH comes to an end, 4,060 miles from the Longfellow statue in Portland, Maine, to a statue of Theodore Roosevelt at Park Avenue in Portland, Oregon.  The route takes one along the northern border between the U.S. and Canada.

     Growing up and living in southern Maine, I had not heard of the TRIH. However, over the years, when driving westerly on Route 302 from Portland, say, Windham, I would see various addresses with Roosevelt Trail as the destination. So, I wondered what connection there might be between TR and that road in Maine. In my research, I have acquired a few vintage postcards, found a couple of maps that refer to the TRIH, and also found a link to the 1921 map of the TRIH in the State of Montana.

Portland (ME) Sunday Telegram - March 27, 1921

Portland (ME) Sunday Telegram - March 27, 1921

Portland (ME) Sunday Telegram - March 27, 1921

30 is not the route number.

There are no specific route numbers assigned to the

TRIH. It had the name and used the various

existing route numbers in each state.

#30 starts in Portland and heads towards the Great Lakes.

Roosevelt Trail through Fryeburg, ME. No description on the back.

Postmark is not legible - PWM

..on the Theodore Roosevelt Highway between North Conway
and Bartlett. Feb. 1936 - PWM

Roosevelt Trail on Armenia Mountain, Troy, PA.

Long's Pond and Roosevelt Trail, Troy, PA - PWM

Souvenir Folder of the Roosevelt Highway and Sullivan Trail

Route - July 1953 - PWM

Foldout page from the souvenir folder, July 1953, Vol. of PWM

St-79 Standing Stone Narrows on Roosevelt Highway and

Sullivan Trail -Towanda, PA - PWM

Deer Trail - 18 miles west of Wellsboro, PA

Roosevelt Highway

Portland (ME) Sunday Telegram - March 27, 1921

This is a 1927 map - the legend shows the 

Theodore Roosevelt International Highway is #30

#30 weaves up into Ontario, then into Michigan, then back up into Ontario, where it then

enters Minnesota and heads west.

Portland (ME) Sunday Telegram - March 27, 1921

And #30 continues west to Portland, Oregon

Final Clip

Portland (ME) Sunday Telegram - March 27, 1921

     1926 Road Map, U.S.A. - This map was used by my great, great-grandfather, my great, great-grandmother, my great-grandfather, grandfather, and his younger brother when the family drove their auto from Kennebunk, Maine, to Los Angeles, CA in 1926. The promotional materials around the border are wonderful to read. The key to the map shows the Theodore Roosevelt International Highway as #39 (this does not represent any route number). I do not know if the vehicle pictured is the one used in 1926 - PWM

Frank O. Morse, Jr., Harry Lovett, Allen B. Morse (14),

Harry G. Morse (12), Frank O. Morse, Sr, and

Elizabeth J. Wells Morse c 1919 - PWM

The legend has 39 listed as the

Theodore Roosevelt International Highway -

Portland, Maine to Portland, Oregon

Follow 39 from Portland, Maine heading to Niagara Falls, NY - PWM

Follow 39 into Ontario

Follow 39 back into the U.S.A. - PWM

39 travels north through Michigan and back into Ontario.

39 then runs west and enters Minnesota at Duluth.

39 runs west through Minnesota and into North Dakota.

As 39 continues west through ND, it is north of TR's ranch

 and now Theodore Roosevelt National Park near Medora, ND

39 continues west through Montana and into Idaho.

Follow 39 to Portland, Oregon. At the end of the

Theodore Roosevelt International Highway - 4,060 miles
from Portland, Maine

I enjoyed reading about the TRIH in the book,
Moose Crossing, by Max J. Skidmore.

Hamilton Books, 2007.

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

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

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 captivate, fascinate, then generate 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 donating 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