Nellie is remembered with love and gratitude by generations of Southwest Harbor and Mount Desert Island residents, genealogists and historians from here and "from away" for her 1938 book, popularly known as, "Traditions and Records of Southwest Harbor," a complete and detailed record of the history of the people and places in the town of her birth. Besides writing the definitive history of Southwest Harbor and its inhabitants she was wrote the social notes for the town that appeared in the Bar Harbor Times for many years and was an active library volunteer. She was also an enthusiastic photographer who documented the activities of her large family. She made photograph albums for many family members, many of whom have shared her photographs with the Southwest Harbor Public Library. Archivists credit all of the photographs in her albums to her as she took or planned most of them. Those not taken by her were photographed by unnamed family members.
Description: Nellie is remembered with love and gratitude by generations of Southwest Harbor and Mount Desert Island residents, genealogists and historians from here and "from away" for her 1938 book, popularly known as, "Traditions and Records of Southwest Harbor," a complete and detailed record of the history of the people and places in the town of her birth. Besides writing the definitive history of Southwest Harbor and its inhabitants she was wrote the social notes for the town that appeared in the Bar Harbor Times for many years and was an active library volunteer. She was also an enthusiastic photographer who documented the activities of her large family. She made photograph albums for many family members, many of whom have shared her photographs with the Southwest Harbor Public Library. Archivists credit all of the photographs in her albums to her as she took or planned most of them. Those not taken by her were photographed by unnamed family members. [show more]
Description: Lawler purchased the building in 1923. The other half of the building was occupied by the Robinson Brother's Automobile Accessories salesroom
The building fronted on Main Street and would probably have had a Main Street address at the time. The property is now [2017] the Western Way Condominium complex.
Description: The building fronted on Main Street and would probably have had a Main Street address at the time. The property is now [2017] the Western Way Condominium complex.
The Gilley and Salisbury plumbing shop was at first built by George H. Gilley on his lot near his home on the Main Road and was used there as a plumber's shop for some years. Then it was moved to its present situation and in 1929 it was moved to the rear of the lot and the show rooms and upstairs living apartment were built. Mr. Gilley's grandson, Wendell H. Gilley, now carried on the business. Gilley Plumbing was a part of the Gilley family for at least three generations. Maud Holmes Gilley ran the business with her son Wendell after the death of her husband, Frank Gilley, in 1920.
Description: The Gilley and Salisbury plumbing shop was at first built by George H. Gilley on his lot near his home on the Main Road and was used there as a plumber's shop for some years. Then it was moved to its present situation and in 1929 it was moved to the rear of the lot and the show rooms and upstairs living apartment were built. Mr. Gilley's grandson, Wendell H. Gilley, now carried on the business. Gilley Plumbing was a part of the Gilley family for at least three generations. Maud Holmes Gilley ran the business with her son Wendell after the death of her husband, Frank Gilley, in 1920. [show more]
Ronald Dean Rich's boat shop. Ronald was the son of Clifton Melbourne Rich and the brother of Robert "Bobby" Rich and Roger Clifton Rich, all other skilled boat builders.
Description: Ronald Dean Rich's boat shop. Ronald was the son of Clifton Melbourne Rich and the brother of Robert "Bobby" Rich and Roger Clifton Rich, all other skilled boat builders.
Started as a contracting business in 1949, Archie McEachern bought out his uncle Jasper Hutchins in 1957 and transitioned the business to a lumber and hardware supply. The store expanded to multiple locations and was taken over by Archie's son, Les.
Description: Started as a contracting business in 1949, Archie McEachern bought out his uncle Jasper Hutchins in 1957 and transitioned the business to a lumber and hardware supply. The store expanded to multiple locations and was taken over by Archie's son, Les.
Description: This was originally the site of the James Lawton house built by Danforth Marcyes. In 2017 this was the site of the Bar Harbor Bank and Trust Building.
John C. Ralph’s Studio has a complicated history. The J.C. Ralph Studio and Store, on Main Street in Southwest Harbor, proclaimed itself, "Eyeglasses and Spectacles - Jeweler and Optician." "Jeweler John C. Ralph moved from Bar Harbor to Southwest Harbor in 1888 to open a jewelry window in J.T.R. Freeman's store. Over the course of his 22-year tenure in Southwest Harbor, this ambitious man established many businesses...As described in the newspaper, Ralph never walked when he could run." -“Mount Desert Island - Somesville, Southwest Harbor, and Northeast Harbor” by Earle G. Shettleworth Jr. and Lydia B. Vandenbergh - Images of America Series, p. 57 – 2001. “John D. Lurvey purchased the lot and built thereon a small building which he used as a storehouse for coffins which he made, as he was a skilled carpenter and cabinet maker. Later this building was used as a public library and was twice moved; once to the northern end of the lot and again to the place now occupied by the Lawton Variety store, where it was used as a drug store, a jeweler’s store, a barber shop and the post office. John C. Ralph kept the post office there and enlarged the building.” - “Traditions and Records of Southwest Harbor and Somesville, Mount Desert Island, Maine” by Mrs. Seth S. Thornton, p. 148 – 1938.
Description: John C. Ralph’s Studio has a complicated history. The J.C. Ralph Studio and Store, on Main Street in Southwest Harbor, proclaimed itself, "Eyeglasses and Spectacles - Jeweler and Optician." "Jeweler John C. Ralph moved from Bar Harbor to Southwest Harbor in 1888 to open a jewelry window in J.T.R. Freeman's store. Over the course of his 22-year tenure in Southwest Harbor, this ambitious man established many businesses...As described in the newspaper, Ralph never walked when he could run." -“Mount Desert Island - Somesville, Southwest Harbor, and Northeast Harbor” by Earle G. Shettleworth Jr. and Lydia B. Vandenbergh - Images of America Series, p. 57 – 2001. “John D. Lurvey purchased the lot and built thereon a small building which he used as a storehouse for coffins which he made, as he was a skilled carpenter and cabinet maker. Later this building was used as a public library and was twice moved; once to the northern end of the lot and again to the place now occupied by the Lawton Variety store, where it was used as a drug store, a jeweler’s store, a barber shop and the post office. John C. Ralph kept the post office there and enlarged the building.” - “Traditions and Records of Southwest Harbor and Somesville, Mount Desert Island, Maine” by Mrs. Seth S. Thornton, p. 148 – 1938. [show more]
Ralph Stanley, boat builder, sailor, raconteur, genealogist, historian, musician, violin maker and beloved mentor to all who share these interests, has been recognized by the government of the United States, the State of Maine and the citizens of Southwest Harbor as a veritable Living Treasure.
Description: Ralph Stanley, boat builder, sailor, raconteur, genealogist, historian, musician, violin maker and beloved mentor to all who share these interests, has been recognized by the government of the United States, the State of Maine and the citizens of Southwest Harbor as a veritable Living Treasure.
After earning an associate's degree from a college in northern Maine, Stanley returned to Southwest Harbor. Not sure what occupation he wanted to pursue, he decided to try to build a boat. So he earned the money he needed to buy wood and other construction materials and, during the winter of 1951-1952, he built a 28-foot lobster boat. The boat turned out well and a local person bought it. This led to orders for other boats. "I've been building (boats) ever since," he said. Stanley learned how to build boats not by apprenticing himself to another boatbuilder but mainly by keenly observing and using boats and by observing the activities of several professional boatbuilders who specialized in the Mt. Desert Island version of the Maine lobster boat.
Description: After earning an associate's degree from a college in northern Maine, Stanley returned to Southwest Harbor. Not sure what occupation he wanted to pursue, he decided to try to build a boat. So he earned the money he needed to buy wood and other construction materials and, during the winter of 1951-1952, he built a 28-foot lobster boat. The boat turned out well and a local person bought it. This led to orders for other boats. "I've been building (boats) ever since," he said. Stanley learned how to build boats not by apprenticing himself to another boatbuilder but mainly by keenly observing and using boats and by observing the activities of several professional boatbuilders who specialized in the Mt. Desert Island version of the Maine lobster boat. [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]
Franze Earl Walls was born on April 22, 1890 to John Andrew Walls and Elmira S. (Lurvey) Walls in Tremont (Southwest Harbor), Maine. Franze married Rena M. Donnell (1891-1985), daughter of Henry A. Donnell and Lillian B. (Libby) Donnell, on April 11, 1912. Franze Earl Walls died on December 13, 1964 in Southwest Harbor, Maine.
Description: Franze Earl Walls was born on April 22, 1890 to John Andrew Walls and Elmira S. (Lurvey) Walls in Tremont (Southwest Harbor), Maine. Franze married Rena M. Donnell (1891-1985), daughter of Henry A. Donnell and Lillian B. (Libby) Donnell, on April 11, 1912. Franze Earl Walls died on December 13, 1964 in Southwest Harbor, Maine.
The white house on the right at 29 Clark Point Road is the Edwin Albert Lawler House The men listed on the back of one copy of this photograph as being in the picture are: Warren Norwood, probably Warren M. Norwood (1889-1927) Harlan Harper, probably Harlan Page Harper (1884-1951) Everett Carson Murphy (1879-1958) - William E. Murphy's brother William E. Murphy (1877-?)
Description: The white house on the right at 29 Clark Point Road is the Edwin Albert Lawler House The men listed on the back of one copy of this photograph as being in the picture are: Warren Norwood, probably Warren M. Norwood (1889-1927) Harlan Harper, probably Harlan Page Harper (1884-1951) Everett Carson Murphy (1879-1958) - William E. Murphy's brother William E. Murphy (1877-?)
The man on the left is probably a very young Arthur L. Somes (1869-1941). The woman on the right is probably Vienna Sophia (Dix) Lawler, Mrs. Edwin Albert Lawler (1871-1955). Businesses in the building at the time of this picture were: A.L. Somes Dry & Fancy Goods - selling, among other things, boots, shoes and rubbers. E.A. Lawler - selling paints, oils, varnishes and groceries - flour and grain. George R. Fuller Law Office George H. Grant Insurance Dr. J.D. Phillips Office
Description: The man on the left is probably a very young Arthur L. Somes (1869-1941). The woman on the right is probably Vienna Sophia (Dix) Lawler, Mrs. Edwin Albert Lawler (1871-1955). Businesses in the building at the time of this picture were: A.L. Somes Dry & Fancy Goods - selling, among other things, boots, shoes and rubbers. E.A. Lawler - selling paints, oils, varnishes and groceries - flour and grain. George R. Fuller Law Office George H. Grant Insurance Dr. J.D. Phillips Office [show more]
Businesses in the building at the time of this picture were: A.L. Somes Dry & Fancy Goods - selling, among other things, boots, shoes and rubbers. E.A. Lawler - selling paints, oils, varnishes and groceries - flour and grain. George R. Fuller Law Office George H. Grant Insurance Dr. J.D. Phillips
Description: Businesses in the building at the time of this picture were: A.L. Somes Dry & Fancy Goods - selling, among other things, boots, shoes and rubbers. E.A. Lawler - selling paints, oils, varnishes and groceries - flour and grain. George R. Fuller Law Office George H. Grant Insurance Dr. J.D. Phillips