"At Southwest Harbor after J. T. R. Freeman, Mrs. Emily Robinson Farnsworth had the [post] office for some time; then J. A. Freeman and William J. Tower held it alternately according to change of political administration for several terms. Then E. S. Thurston was appointed and held office for twelve years until Earll W. Gott was appointed by Franklin D. Roosevelt. The office has changed location with every new postmaster…" - “Traditions and Records of Southwest Harbor and Somesville, Mount Desert Island, Maine” by Mrs. Seth S. Thornton, 1938, p. 105. "William J. Tower built the building east of the Jackson lot and he kept the post-office there for a number of years. He sold to E. S. Thurston when Mr. Thurston took over the duties of postmaster and after his services of twelve years were past, the property was sold in 1936 to Mrs. Fred A. Birlem whose son, Wallace Birlem, built the double garage behind it with living rooms above which he occupies [1938]." - “Traditions and Records of Southwest Harbor and Somesville, Mount Desert Island, Maine” by Mrs. Seth S. Thornton, 1938, p. 157.
Description: "At Southwest Harbor after J. T. R. Freeman, Mrs. Emily Robinson Farnsworth had the [post] office for some time; then J. A. Freeman and William J. Tower held it alternately according to change of political administration for several terms. Then E. S. Thurston was appointed and held office for twelve years until Earll W. Gott was appointed by Franklin D. Roosevelt. The office has changed location with every new postmaster…" - “Traditions and Records of Southwest Harbor and Somesville, Mount Desert Island, Maine” by Mrs. Seth S. Thornton, 1938, p. 105. "William J. Tower built the building east of the Jackson lot and he kept the post-office there for a number of years. He sold to E. S. Thurston when Mr. Thurston took over the duties of postmaster and after his services of twelve years were past, the property was sold in 1936 to Mrs. Fred A. Birlem whose son, Wallace Birlem, built the double garage behind it with living rooms above which he occupies [1938]." - “Traditions and Records of Southwest Harbor and Somesville, Mount Desert Island, Maine” by Mrs. Seth S. Thornton, 1938, p. 157. [show more]
The Southwest Harbor Water Company was founded by Dr. Joseph Dana Phillips, Anson I. Holmes, Jesse H. Pease, Alton E. Farnsworth, summer resident, Robert Kaighn, and lawyer, George R. Fuller. - "Acts and Resolves of the Sixty-sixth Legislature of the State of Maine, 1893, p. 621-623.
Description: The Southwest Harbor Water Company was founded by Dr. Joseph Dana Phillips, Anson I. Holmes, Jesse H. Pease, Alton E. Farnsworth, summer resident, Robert Kaighn, and lawyer, George R. Fuller. - "Acts and Resolves of the Sixty-sixth Legislature of the State of Maine, 1893, p. 621-623.
The one room schoolhouse used from 1862 to 1906. "[The Free High School, built c. 1862] was still a one-room school with but one teacher and every year more students came to study. The interests of the widely separated parts of the town were so different that it was impossible to come to an agreement and when the building of a new schoolhouse was suggested it was impossible to agree on a new location. Finally, when the Southwest Harbor citizens demanded new buildings at the village and at Manset, those in the western part of the town decided to separate themselves from Southwest Harbor. This was agreed upon by both sides and the town of Southwest Harbor was incorporated February 21, 1905 [this dividing the Southwest Harbor area from Tremont.] The new town voted to build a new schoolhouse at the village and raised the sum of $4500 to do so. This sum included the purchase of additional land. The old building stood close to the main road and had but little land surrounding it, and the new one was to be set farther back with a playground in front of it. The old building was sold to George Harmon and moved to the lot south of the school lot where it is now used for stores and apartments." The Harmon Block at 339 Main Street. - “Traditions and Records of Southwest Harbor and Somesville, Mount Desert Island, Maine” by Mrs. Seth S. Thornton, p. 84-85 & p. 148 - 1938
Description: The one room schoolhouse used from 1862 to 1906. "[The Free High School, built c. 1862] was still a one-room school with but one teacher and every year more students came to study. The interests of the widely separated parts of the town were so different that it was impossible to come to an agreement and when the building of a new schoolhouse was suggested it was impossible to agree on a new location. Finally, when the Southwest Harbor citizens demanded new buildings at the village and at Manset, those in the western part of the town decided to separate themselves from Southwest Harbor. This was agreed upon by both sides and the town of Southwest Harbor was incorporated February 21, 1905 [this dividing the Southwest Harbor area from Tremont.] The new town voted to build a new schoolhouse at the village and raised the sum of $4500 to do so. This sum included the purchase of additional land. The old building stood close to the main road and had but little land surrounding it, and the new one was to be set farther back with a playground in front of it. The old building was sold to George Harmon and moved to the lot south of the school lot where it is now used for stores and apartments." The Harmon Block at 339 Main Street. - “Traditions and Records of Southwest Harbor and Somesville, Mount Desert Island, Maine” by Mrs. Seth S. Thornton, p. 84-85 & p. 148 - 1938 [show more]
One of the thousands of camps set up by President Roosevelt's Civilian Conservation Corp program during the great depression. The Great Pond Camp in Southwest Harbor operated from 1933-1941. The men who worked at the camp were integral to the early development of the trail system in Acadia National Park. “The Southwest Harbor camp was opened about May, 1933 with enrollees erecting and living in tents while construction of the roll roofing covered barracks continued. An aerial photo dated September 5, 1933 shows four barracks buildings and four service buildings in place. Officers quarters, dispensary and living quarters for the commanding officer were added later. The last two were of log construction. The camp was located at the height of ground on the west side of the road leading from Southwest Harbor village to the south end of Great Pond [Long Pond]. This was near Acadia National Park lands where most of the work-projects took place. This park being one of the National Park System came under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of the Interior. Consequently the Department of the Interior controlled the employees and type of work projects carried out on the ground. This was a typical 200 man camp. All enrollees were Maine residents. Familial relationships were scarce but for most living conditions were a great improvement over depression years living conditions at home. Living conditions, discipline and in-camp activities were the concern of the U.S. Army…” – Fred E. Holt, former forest commissioner - “In the Public Interest: The Civilian Conservation Corps in Maine (1933-1942) - A Pictorial History” by Jon A. Schlenker, Norman A. Wetherington and Austin H. Wilkins, published by the University of Maine at Augusta Press, 1988, p. 67-70
Description: One of the thousands of camps set up by President Roosevelt's Civilian Conservation Corp program during the great depression. The Great Pond Camp in Southwest Harbor operated from 1933-1941. The men who worked at the camp were integral to the early development of the trail system in Acadia National Park. “The Southwest Harbor camp was opened about May, 1933 with enrollees erecting and living in tents while construction of the roll roofing covered barracks continued. An aerial photo dated September 5, 1933 shows four barracks buildings and four service buildings in place. Officers quarters, dispensary and living quarters for the commanding officer were added later. The last two were of log construction. The camp was located at the height of ground on the west side of the road leading from Southwest Harbor village to the south end of Great Pond [Long Pond]. This was near Acadia National Park lands where most of the work-projects took place. This park being one of the National Park System came under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of the Interior. Consequently the Department of the Interior controlled the employees and type of work projects carried out on the ground. This was a typical 200 man camp. All enrollees were Maine residents. Familial relationships were scarce but for most living conditions were a great improvement over depression years living conditions at home. Living conditions, discipline and in-camp activities were the concern of the U.S. Army…” – Fred E. Holt, former forest commissioner - “In the Public Interest: The Civilian Conservation Corps in Maine (1933-1942) - A Pictorial History” by Jon A. Schlenker, Norman A. Wetherington and Austin H. Wilkins, published by the University of Maine at Augusta Press, 1988, p. 67-70 [show more]
The Naval Radio Station was established at Seawall in September, 1942. It was disestablished in 1951. Between 1951 and 1953 the government transferred the building to the American Legion and Auxiliary, Eugene M. Norwood Post 69, Southwest Harbor. The building was then moved to 22 Village Green Way, Map 6 – Lot 40, Southwest Harbor. The building has been enlarge twice since it was moved to its present location.
Description: The Naval Radio Station was established at Seawall in September, 1942. It was disestablished in 1951. Between 1951 and 1953 the government transferred the building to the American Legion and Auxiliary, Eugene M. Norwood Post 69, Southwest Harbor. The building was then moved to 22 Village Green Way, Map 6 – Lot 40, Southwest Harbor. The building has been enlarge twice since it was moved to its present location.
Years 1921 - 1953 (except 1944) were scanned by Carol Nelson. Years 1954 - 1968 were scanned by the Oklahoma Department of Corrections. Year 1944 was scanned by Elliot Santavicca.
Description: The items for yearbooks 1937 - 1959 have photos attached to them. These are the original images, taken by Willis Ballard, used in those yearbooks.
“The school house was built in 1901, replacing one built on the same site about 1860.” - “Traditions and Records of Southwest Harbor and Somesville, Mount Desert Island, Maine” by Mrs. Seth S. Thornton, 1938, p. 183.
Description: “The school house was built in 1901, replacing one built on the same site about 1860.” - “Traditions and Records of Southwest Harbor and Somesville, Mount Desert Island, Maine” by Mrs. Seth S. Thornton, 1938, p. 183.
In 1890 Abby and John MacDuffie took over the Misses Howard’s school and founded the MacDuffie School for Girls in Springfield, Massachusetts, serving together as principals of the school for over forty years.
Description: In 1890 Abby and John MacDuffie took over the Misses Howard’s school and founded the MacDuffie School for Girls in Springfield, Massachusetts, serving together as principals of the school for over forty years.
Founded at the insistence of Elizabeth S. Peterson. The chapel was built by Miss Peterson in 1916 and consecrated in 1917. It remained in regular use until 1925. It fell largely into disuse and disrepair and after a few intermittent services in the 1940s it was largely abandoned until it was demolished in 1966.
Description: Founded at the insistence of Elizabeth S. Peterson. The chapel was built by Miss Peterson in 1916 and consecrated in 1917. It remained in regular use until 1925. It fell largely into disuse and disrepair and after a few intermittent services in the 1940s it was largely abandoned until it was demolished in 1966.
The Cornerstone Baptist Church was founded on March 16, 1952 in a farmhouse across from Seal Cove Pond that later became Seal Cove Farm, with ten members. The pastor was Rev. George Wood. In 1953 the little congregation paid $16,000 to buy the old West Tremont Schoolhouse. They added a Sunday school wing in the 1960s.
Description: The Cornerstone Baptist Church was founded on March 16, 1952 in a farmhouse across from Seal Cove Pond that later became Seal Cove Farm, with ten members. The pastor was Rev. George Wood. In 1953 the little congregation paid $16,000 to buy the old West Tremont Schoolhouse. They added a Sunday school wing in the 1960s.
"The Country Strummers began their musical career back in 1964. Ralph Stanley and Fred Black were invited to join a group of musicians and singers that were entertaining at the [Knights of Pythias] Lodge Hall in Bernard. This was a program sponsored by the lodge that included dancing, singing and an all round evening of good local talent. This inspired Fred and Ralph to stick with their music and they began a schedule of practice each week, their practice sessions were held on Saturday night. In 1966 Floyd Farley joined Ralph and Fred. Floyd being very talented with any string instrument soon became a real asset to the group. These three musicians kept quite busy playing for local functions, traveling to many of our nursing homes, senior citizens homes and many wedding and anniversary parties.
Description: "The Country Strummers began their musical career back in 1964. Ralph Stanley and Fred Black were invited to join a group of musicians and singers that were entertaining at the [Knights of Pythias] Lodge Hall in Bernard. This was a program sponsored by the lodge that included dancing, singing and an all round evening of good local talent. This inspired Fred and Ralph to stick with their music and they began a schedule of practice each week, their practice sessions were held on Saturday night. In 1966 Floyd Farley joined Ralph and Fred. Floyd being very talented with any string instrument soon became a real asset to the group. These three musicians kept quite busy playing for local functions, traveling to many of our nursing homes, senior citizens homes and many wedding and anniversary parties. [show more]