J.L. Stanley started the fishery in 1874. He expanded it and made his sons partners as they came of age.
“J.L. Stanley has commenced to cut ice on his Lily pond and has put in one day’s hauling, in his ice house, of very superior quality and about ten inches thick.” – Bar Harbor Record, Thursday, January 19, 1888.
"The ice dealers have nearly finished filling their ice houses. The weather of the last week was exceptionally good for their work, and the opportunity was improved. Three houses are filled by sluicing direct from the pond. John L. Stanley & Sons put up about 1,300 tons. They have about twenty five men employed cutting and sluicing. W.H. Ward put up about 1,000 tons, and has twenty men employed." - The Ellsworth American, Wednesday, February 12, 1902 - Manset news.
Stanley had his own ice pond for the Fishery. There are several photographs of the ice harvesting operation at the pond.
Part of the fishery was destroyed by fire in 1918, shortly before J.L. Stanley was prepared to retire. He continued the business to recoup the loss. The business was sold in 1928 after his death to C.W. Marion. The business was sold again in 1944 to William Sklaroff and again around 1955 to four brothers.
J.L. Stanley Fisheries was completely destroyed by fire on April 12, 1967.
