Fitz Henry Lane painted one of the earliest views of Southwest Harbor, and seems to have studied the shore carefully. The view shows a lumber schooner loading its long cargo through a port in the bow of the vessel. The white house immediately to the left of the vessel probably shows an early version of the Seth Higgins Clark House. The white house at the center of the shore is the Nathan Clark II House. The white building at the far left is Deacon Henry Higgins Clark's Island House Hotel, early in its career, before it was expanded into several stories with a mansard roof. Clark descendants, and their houses, are still in Southwest Harbor. William Howe Witherle (1821–1906) accompanied Lane on his trip around Mount Desert Island and recorded many of their adventures in his diary. On August 21 he wrote, "… George, Joe & myself took breakfast this morning at the Island House – and a fine one it was – price 25 cts – Mr. Lane took 2 sketches here…” The sketches referred to were of the shore and harbor, not the hotel. See: Witherle, William Howe. William Witherle Diary (unpublished manuscript) (August 16–21, 1852). Personal diary in the collection of the Wilson Museum, Castine, Maine (A00060-1a-1h).
Description: Fitz Henry Lane painted one of the earliest views of Southwest Harbor, and seems to have studied the shore carefully. The view shows a lumber schooner loading its long cargo through a port in the bow of the vessel. The white house immediately to the left of the vessel probably shows an early version of the Seth Higgins Clark House. The white house at the center of the shore is the Nathan Clark II House. The white building at the far left is Deacon Henry Higgins Clark's Island House Hotel, early in its career, before it was expanded into several stories with a mansard roof. Clark descendants, and their houses, are still in Southwest Harbor. William Howe Witherle (1821–1906) accompanied Lane on his trip around Mount Desert Island and recorded many of their adventures in his diary. On August 21 he wrote, "… George, Joe & myself took breakfast this morning at the Island House – and a fine one it was – price 25 cts – Mr. Lane took 2 sketches here…” The sketches referred to were of the shore and harbor, not the hotel. See: Witherle, William Howe. William Witherle Diary (unpublished manuscript) (August 16–21, 1852). Personal diary in the collection of the Wilson Museum, Castine, Maine (A00060-1a-1h). [show more]
A freight bill for 3 casks of lime for Capt. James Long (1814-1895) signed by Jo. R. Freeman [John T.R. Freeman (1838-1916)] and paid at Mt. Desert on November 2, 1853. As can be seen from the account below, "Rockland" was supposed to have been built in 1853 and to have gone into service in 1854, but this bill of lading clearly shows that she was working in the Mt. Desert area as early as November 1853. She may have gone on the water in 1853 and done some freight work in the area before she started her career on the passenger route in 1854. The 1857 date may just be an error.
Description: A freight bill for 3 casks of lime for Capt. James Long (1814-1895) signed by Jo. R. Freeman [John T.R. Freeman (1838-1916)] and paid at Mt. Desert on November 2, 1853. As can be seen from the account below, "Rockland" was supposed to have been built in 1853 and to have gone into service in 1854, but this bill of lading clearly shows that she was working in the Mt. Desert area as early as November 1853. She may have gone on the water in 1853 and done some freight work in the area before she started her career on the passenger route in 1854. The 1857 date may just be an error. [show more]
Schooner "Palestine" in foreground. The Indian camps (during the summers) at Indian Lot may be seen over the bowsprit in background. Beyond the foremast a rental building owned by Deacon Henry Clark is visible. The white house at the center was the residence of Henry Clark - built for him in 1871. The large house and barn at the left was the residence of William G. Parker - built for him in about 1868. The building with a dormer was a workshop in Deacon Clark's shipyard. There was an apartment upstairs. "The schooner Palestine, deserted here in Deacon's Harbor, was painted repeatedly by visitors. Behind the hull can be seen the workshops for Deacon Clark's shipyard business and Henry Clark and William Parker Chandlery. High on the hill are the houses of the deacon's children: daughter Ada, her husband William Parker (left), and son Henry. Each summer, Native Americans would return to their camping spot on the ridge, visible above the bow sprit." - Mount Desert Island - Somesville, Southwest Harbor, and Northeast Harbor by Earle G. Shettleworth Jr. and Lydia B. Vandenbergh - Images of America Series, p. 50 - 2001
Description: Schooner "Palestine" in foreground. The Indian camps (during the summers) at Indian Lot may be seen over the bowsprit in background. Beyond the foremast a rental building owned by Deacon Henry Clark is visible. The white house at the center was the residence of Henry Clark - built for him in 1871. The large house and barn at the left was the residence of William G. Parker - built for him in about 1868. The building with a dormer was a workshop in Deacon Clark's shipyard. There was an apartment upstairs. "The schooner Palestine, deserted here in Deacon's Harbor, was painted repeatedly by visitors. Behind the hull can be seen the workshops for Deacon Clark's shipyard business and Henry Clark and William Parker Chandlery. High on the hill are the houses of the deacon's children: daughter Ada, her husband William Parker (left), and son Henry. Each summer, Native Americans would return to their camping spot on the ridge, visible above the bow sprit." - Mount Desert Island - Somesville, Southwest Harbor, and Northeast Harbor by Earle G. Shettleworth Jr. and Lydia B. Vandenbergh - Images of America Series, p. 50 - 2001 [show more]
WRITTEN ON BACK: "Clark Point Wharf Southwest Harbor, Me Forest City (sister ship Lewiston) built in New York - 1854 - Boston - Bango route in 1880's Florence - small steamer in foreground - Blue Hill territory - chartered by Capt. Crockett Sign on a building at right - "International Express"
Description: WRITTEN ON BACK: "Clark Point Wharf Southwest Harbor, Me Forest City (sister ship Lewiston) built in New York - 1854 - Boston - Bango route in 1880's Florence - small steamer in foreground - Blue Hill territory - chartered by Capt. Crockett Sign on a building at right - "International Express"