USA > Maine > Knox County > Camden > Sketches of the history of the town of Camden, Maine; including incidental references to the neighboring places and adjacent waters > Part 20
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A VIEW
OF
CAMDEN AS IT IS. - 1859.
Remarks - The five villages of Camden - The Mountains - Mt. Battie - Mt. Megunticook - Bald Mountain - Ragged Mountain - Coast Survey Station - Mt. Pleasant -- Other elevations - Descrip- tion of Mt. Battie and Mt. Megunticook - Views from their summits - Ball Rock - Ponds - Wawenock Cave - Industrial resources - The Lime Manufacturing Interest - Water privileges - Account of all the Water Power Establishments upon Megunti- cook Stream - Spring Brook, Harrington's Brook, Goose River Stream, Oyster River Stream, and the mills, &c., upon the same - Ice Business - Ship-building - Navigation Statistics - The Fish- ing Interest - Agriculture - School Affairs - Literary Societies - Growth of the town - Concluding Remarks.
TY taking a view of Camden as it is, we shall first survey it topographically, and afterwards glance at the various manufacturing industries, and other inter- ests of the town, as comprehended in its increase and growth. The five villages in town, in the order of size, are Camden, Rockport, Rockville, West-Camden and Sim- onton's Corner, all of which have a post-office, except the last mentioned. The three latter villages are situated inland, while the first two are on the seaboard, and possess a harbor cach. Rockport harbor is the better of the two, and is one of the most secure and advantageous havens in the State.
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CAMDEN AS IT IS.
In regard to scenery, the aspect of Camden, reposing at the base of Mt. Battie, is of an inspiring, yet pleasing character ; Rockport, rugged and romantic, presents with its beautiful harbor, a picture difficult to be excelled in attractiveness ; Rockville, pleasantly situated a short dis- tance from the lakelet of Chickawakie, presents a scene which is calm and lovely ; West-Camden, with its moun- tainous surroundings, is possessed of a fine diversity of rural views ; the village at Simonton's corner, with its less remarkable features, derives its share of attention from the position it occupies in a most picturesque section of the town.
The first objects of attraction in approaching this locality, by land or water, are our mountains, which have served as landmarks to the mariner, from the days of Martin Pring, to the present time.
Of the elevations thus designated, there are four em- braced within the limits of the town, besides several emi- nences only deserving the appellation of hills. The near- est of these heights to the Harbor village is Mount Battie, (as it is modernly spelled.) which is three-fourths of a mile north from the post-office, or lower bridge. Its altitude, as determined by a zenith telescope measurement, made by the U. S. coast surveyors, is nearly 1000 feet above the sea level, which is over 325 feet less than calculated by Dr. C. T. Jackson, by a barometrical observation. Mt. Megunticook, situated north of, and adjoining. Mt. Battie, rises to the height of 1265 feet, according to the above first-mentioned authority, which is 192 feet less than made by the latter named calculator.
Bald Mountain, so called from the baldness of its top, is of another range, and is three and a half miles north-west from the post-office. Its altitude, according to the U. S. surveyors, is 1140 feet.
Mt. Hosmer, (thus named after an early resident, who dwelt near its basc,) or Ragged Mountain, as it is now
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aptly called, is three and a half miles west from the post- office. This irregular shaped mountain has two principal eminences, the higher of which, according to our last mentioned authority, is 1230 feet. Upon the loftier eleva- tion, Prof. A. D. Bache established the U. S. coast survey station, in 1854, for astronomical and magnetic observa- tions, as connected with the surveys now being prosecuted by Government. Mount Pleasant belongs to this group, and lies partly in this town, Warren and Union. Besides these, there are several inferior sized heights, such as Spruce Mountain, in the west part of the town; Bear Mountain and Beach Hill, in the south-east section of the town. Medambattee, or Burnt Land, is the name of a rising piece of ground, situated between West-Camden, Rockville and Rockland.
Of the mountains we have mentioned, Mount Battie is the oftenest ascended by excursionists. Its southern ascent is somewhat difficult from its precipitousness, but, by tak- ing the " path" which commences near the " Devil's track," it is made comparatively easy. The north-western declivi- ty is very facile to ascend. At this place a road was made through the woods, during the " last war," for the purpose of conveying the pieces of ordnance to the summit, as before stated. At different times, since then, the passage has been cleared for the accommodation of those who prefer reaching the top with a horse and carriage. The charming avenue of trees through which we have to pass in taking the " road," is greatly admired by every lover of the picturesque. In anticipating a ramble through "the Avenue," we realize the inspiration of the bard, in his strain, as he says, -
" We'll walk through the grove at the top of the hill, Where the hemlock, the pine and the oak love to grow,
And the air is so sweet, as we wander at will,
That the pulse and the heart with more gratitude flow."
The approach from this quarter has the advantage, also,
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of having the prospect concealed from view by the woods, until the summit is attained, when it suddenly breaks on the astonished gaze in all its magnificence.
Geologically speaking, this, and the adjoining mountain, consist, according to Dr. Jackson, entirely of a grey variety of mica slate, forming consolidated strata, which incline to the horizon at an angle of seventy degrees. On the top of Mt. Battie, are two conical piles of stones, thus accumu- lated by persons depositing a stone thereon, whenever they make the ascent, which has gained for them the name of the " Ramblers' Memorials." . To the westward of these monuments, in the midst of a thicket of woods, is a spring called the " Bear's well," where, at any season of the year, one can slake his thirst. A short distance south of the green plat, where, in war times, were planted the cannons, is a steep, down which parties of pleasure have worn a path by the frequent rolling of stones, and thus titled it as the " Rolling road." Notwithstanding the view is grand from this eminence, yet, it is more surpassingly so from the adjoining elevation. We will simply enumerate some of the principal bearings taken from Mt. Battie, with a pocket compass, and then pass to her loftier neighbor for a bird's-eye-view. Rockland bears S. by E .; Camden, S. F. by S. ; Rockport, S. S. E .; Owl's Head, S. E. by S .; Fox Island light, E. S. E. ; Isle au Haute, E. by S. ; Manhegan Island, S .; Mt. Desert, E .; Matinicus Island, S. E. } S.
In ascending Mt. Megunticook, we pause at an escarp- ment near the top on the southern side, called the " Jump- ing-off-place," from which tall trees on the ridge below have the appearance of mere saplings. This rocky cliff rises perpendicularly to about the height of three hundred feet. From this stand-point, Mt. Battie has a very dimin- utive appearance, and more resembles a hillock, than it does a mountain. Forcing our way through a large and small growth of spruce, hemlock and pine, we are enabled to attain the object of our toilsome journey, by reaching
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the crest. Although our range of vision is somewhat ob- structed by the forest trees crowning the apex, yet we are enabled, from different positions, to behold one of the most beautiful panoramas conceivable. In a practical manner we here appreciate the finely conceived lines of Bryant :
" Thou shalt look
Upon the green and rolling forest tops, And down into the secrets of the glens, And streams, that, with their bordering thickets strive To hide their windings. Thou shalt gaze at once, Here on white villages and tilth and herds, And swarming roads, and there on solitudes That only hear the torrent, and the wind, And eagle's shriek."
The eye here takes in a view of the bay, with its islands, answering in number to the days in a year, out to a wide expanse of waters, where the ocean blends with the horizon, In another direction, is scen a vast extent of country, bordered by distant mountains. As we experience, in gaz- ing at those far off elevations, feelings akin to facination, we are inclined to question and respond with Campbell :
" Why to yon mountains turns the musing eye ; Whose cloud capped summits mingle with the sky ? Why do yon cliffs of shadowy tint appear More sweet than all the landscape shining near ? 'Tis distance, lends enchantment to the view, And robes the mountain with its azure hue."
Among the most marked elevations here descried, are Mt. Desert, Mt. Katahdn, (120 miles north,) Mts. Blue, Bigelow, and the White Hills of New Hampshire. The highlands interjacent, although worthy of being specified, are too numerous to mention. Adding a pleasing diversity to the view, are various beautiful villages, and many mirror- ing sheets of water. Reposing below us; filled with its miniature islands, and peninsulas, is Canaan's charming lakelet, with its sinuous stream. From a bold spur of the
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mountain near the line that divides this town from Lin- colnville, we view to advantage the subjacent turnpike. From the diminutive size of persons, as seen from this giddy height, traveling this celebrated thoroughfare, we should judge them to be half a mile distant.
Detached from the Megunticook range, although be- longing to the same group, is Ball Rock, in Lincolnville, which, it is estimated, rises to about the altitude of 1050 feet. Other elevations in the towns adjoining, add much to the beautiful and romantic aspect of this vicinity.
The number of ponds in town, which give a fine diversity to the scenery, are ten, the names of which, and the area in acres, we find on Osborn's map of Camden, to be as follows : - Canaan pond, 500 acres ; Hosmer's pond, 65; Lilly pond, 65; Grassy or Bowley's pond, 200; Oyster River pond, 150; Rocky pond, 20; Mace's pond, 60; Tolman's pond, 65 ; Chickawakie pond, 210, and a small pond of about 14 acres at Ingraham's corner. Grassy pond, surrounded by mountains, is next to Canaan's lakelet in the remarkable beauty of its appearance. From the greater part of these sheets of water, issue streams which drive quite a number of mills, as we shall shortly notice.
Among the natural curiosities of the town the most worthy of mention, is Wawenock Cave, situated about a quarter of a mile to the westward of the town-house, in the Annis pasture. In the time of the early settlers, it was known as the " Bear's Den," and was frequented by sheep, which sought shelter in it from the storms. In the month of September, 1857, in company with a friend, we deter- mined to examine the cave. Forcing our way into the entrance, which was about eighteen inches in diameter, we found ourselves in a vaulted cell of four feet in height, twenty-two in length, and sixteen in breadth. Finding several passages filled with alluvial dirt, and fertilizing mat- ter, we attempted the task of excavating them, for which we came prepared with lights and the necessary implements.
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In the easterly end, we penetrated two passages about ten feet, and afterward essayed others. In none of them did we reach the terminus. Delving with our shovels, and sounding with our bar in the central part of the cave. we found the accumulation of dirt, and animal deposit, to be some three or four feet deep. Relieved of twenty cart loads of this earthy matter, the dimensions of the cave would appear quite spacious. Indications seem to estab- lish the inference, that in Indian times, this subterranean place was used, perhaps, as a place of habitation, or re- treat from a foe: "The evidence of this assumption, rests on the fact, that not only the principal chamber, but every passage we penetrated, was dinged with smoke, the origin of which. is traced by the brands we unearthed in one of the easterly recesses, where appears to have been the fire- place. Another strong proof of the cave having been frequented by the red man, is that of a flint spear head having been dug up, as the result of a subsequent explora- tion. To the excurtionist, Wawenock Cave can but be- come a place of resort, especially when it shall have been made more easily accessible than at present.
There are other places of interest, which, from their being so generally known, we will here omit and pass on to the industrial resources of the town.
Of the different kinds of business done here, that of the manufacture of lime, first commands attention. Camden may be said to be rich in its limestone resources. The quality of this mineral is acknowledged to be, on the aver- age, as good as any in the State. The number of quarries in town, that are now worked, amount to fifteen, of which, five are at Camden, five at Rockport, three at Simonton's corner, and two at West-Camden.
By an improvement in the construction of lime kilns, invented in 1854, the old fashioned kind are gradually be- ing superseded. At the present time. ( Feb. 1859,) there are twenty of the old kilns and five of the patent kind in
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CAMDEN AS IT IS.
use in the town. All of the latter are in Rockport. The improvement consists of an immence hopper, to receive the raw material, and, by its very shape, to give the lime- stone room to push up when it expands, and, also, by so constructing arched furnaces, as to apply the intensest cf wood heat to the stone, and, at the same time, allow the ashes to take one direction and the lime, as it is formed, to take another. The saving of wood and time is immense. The old kiln requires seven cords of wood to turn out 100 casks of lime, while the new will produce the same num- ber with four cords. In the old style of furnace, there must be nearly eight days for the production of 600 casks, while the new one will furnish the same quantity in six days. The old fashioned kiln not only consumes more wood and time in burning, but stands idle while cooling, and during the discharging of its lime. The new kiln burns for three months without any necessity for extinguishing or renewing of the fires, which at that time are put out in order to arrange the furnace. By the improved method, lime is manufac- tured ten cents per cask, cheaper, than by the old mode.
The patent kilns, in Rockport, turn out on the average, one hundred casks of lime per day; all the others in the same village, fifty, making the whole number four hundred and fifty. Including the number of casks marketed from the westerly part of the town, there are annually shipped from Rockport, 156,500 casks of lime. At Camden har- bor, the number of casks manufactured are estimated at twelve thousand. Reckoning the amount brought here for shipment, from the adjoining towns, and it may be said in round numbers, that there are shipped annually from this town, 175,000 casks, which, at a medium price of between fifty-five and sixty cents the cask, would amount to over $100,000. During the past year, lime casks have been furnished at fifteen cents each, and kiln wood at the rate of 82,50 per cord. The highest priced lime, which is made from the hardest stone, and makes the most beautiful
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white finish, is called " lump lime," and generally com- mands the best market in New York, where it is used for costly edifices. The darker quality, which is considered as the strongest, is used in most of our Government fortresses. We are here reminded of the fact, that in 1817, Capt. John Welch carried in his vessel, three hundred casks of Camden lime to Washington, which were used in building the capitol. Upon this incident, aside from the well known fact, it may be said that Camden lime possesses a national reputation, which is all that need be said in commendation of it.
The manufacturing advantages of Camden, as connected with its numerous mill privileges, are not often surpassed. The streams issuing from our largest ponds have been made available in facilitating manual labor, by the erection of such establishments, as require water power for the propulsion of machinery.
The most valuable water privileges in town, are found upon Megunticook stream, which issues from Canaan pond. On either side of the island at the foot of the pond, which transiently divides the stream at its head, is a saw and grist-mill, commonly called " Molineaux's mills," that gen- tleman there having first erected such. Next below, is Messrs. Bisbee, Marble & Co.'s powder-mill, which was built about the year 1846, by Swett & Davis of Buckfield. At present, there are sixteen buildings on the premises, connected with the business. The average number of kegs of powder annually made, amounts to 5000, which require in their composition, 50 tons of saltpetre, 17,500 pounds of brimstone, and 60 cords of alder-wood. The precari- ousness of this business, so far as relates to casualties, is well understood. Up to the present time, there have been nine explosions, some of which have proved fatal to human Life. The last accident of the kind occurred in 1853. The number of hands employed at different seasons of the year, range from two to four.
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CAMDEN AS IT IS. 249
The next manufactory, is Amasa Gould's plug and wedge mill. In 1855, David Knowlton, an ingenious machinist, of this town, constructed for this mill a machine which would make 15,000 plugs per day. This business being dependent on ship-building, is not at all comparable to what it was five years ago. In 1854, the number of plugs and wedges turned out by Mr. G., amounted to 1,650,000. The market for these, extends from Eastport to New Orleans.
Further down the stream, is the block factory of Horatio Alden & Co. There is, in this establishment, a machine for manufacturing dead-eyes, which is worthy of mention. It is mostly the invention of D. Knowlton. This machine is of such construction as to take a lignumvitæ log and cut it into blocks of the right dimensions for any size of dead- eyes, center and drill the centers, turn, strap gouge, bore and lanyard gouge on both sides. This labor-saving inven- tion was constructed by Mr. Knowlton in 1854, and is one of the best of the kind in use. The amount of business done at this establishment averages, annually, $20.000. In the building adjoining, is the machine shop of D. Knowlton & Co. The principal part of the various kinds of machinery used in this concern was made by the lead- ing partner of the firm. The mentionable machines em- ployed here, are four engine lathes; an eight feet iron plainer ; an upright drill, and two drill lathes. Among the articles sent forth to an extensive market, by this en- terprising company, are patent power capstans, (for which Mr. K. has filed a caveat,) portable cargo winces, ship's steering wheels, fire engine, or ship head pumps, &c. The reputation of this shop is becoming widely and favorably known, and has encouraged the public to believe that there is no necessity of sending beyond this State, to procure such articles as they have the facilities for producing. Annually, $15,000 worth of business is done here.
Next below, is the oakum factory of Horatio Alden.
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The original buildings were destroyed by fire in 1845. The machinery now in operation, was constructed by Mr. Knowl- ton, in 1854, at a cost of $1,500. It consists of a wet and dry breaker, and finisher, and can pick and bale 2000 pounds of oakum per day. In this machinery, are a num- ber of improvements made by Mr. Knowlton, among which, is that of preventing the oakum from winding round the shafts, which, thereby saves a great amount of labor, and prevents friction, and consequently, liabilities of fire. The number of bales manufactured here, yearly, is about 2,400, equal to 60 tons.
A few rods further down the stream, is the saw and grist- mill, owned by the heirs of the late James Richards. Ad- joining this mill, is the sash and blind factory of Perry & Wood. We are unable to give any statistics relating to this enterprising concern, but can speak in terms of com- mendation of the execution of the various kinds of work done here, which is performed by planing, sawing, mor- tising, and other machines. In appreciation of the estima- tion in which the work done at this factory is held by com- petent judges, is the fact that the firm were awarded the first premium, and a diploma, at the State Fair, held at Bangor, in 1857. This mill privilege, as also the one be- low, belongs to the estate of Jas. Richards. The latter mentioned privilege is occupied by Bezcalor Knight, in his wheelwright shop, and by the " Camden Iron Foundry," in the same and adjoining building. The foundry is owned by stockholders, consisting of Henry Knight, D. Knowlton, and others. They have the facilities here for furnishing castings of the various patterns required at the hands of a founder.
At the next dam below, is the bakery of the late Edward Bradbury, now carried on by Horton & Alden. The prin- cipal labor of the bakery, as may be supposed, is done by machinery. In 1858, the average number of barrels of flour made into crackers, ship, and ginger bread, was three
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per day. Many of the surrounding towns are supplied with the " staff of life" by the " Camden bread" carriage, which has given the bakery a favorable reputation in this section of the State.
The next below, is the tannery of Thorndike, Scott & Co. This was established by Moses Parker, about the year 1813. After his death, it was purchased by the late Samuel Emerson, and after the demise of the latter, it was sold to the present proprietors. The machinery here used, is driven by water conducted through a canal leading from the basin of the grist and saw-mill dam above. This water power drives the bark-mill, rolling. and fulling-mills. Un- der shelter, there are twenty-eight double vats, and out doors there are twenty-six ; also there are two water, and three lime pits. The number of sides tanned in 1858, was 2000; number of calf skins, 1000; dry hides, 500, and wool skins, 1000. They finish three-fourths of all the stock they tan, into wax leather, grain, and harness leather, and shavings or splits. These are all tanned in cold liquor. At present, four hands are employed, two of which attend to the currier business, and the rest to the other depart- ments. They have adopted most, if not all, of the im- proved methods of tanning. The stock prepared at this establishment, finds a market throughout New England.
Next is the "Megunticook grist-mill," situated at the foot of the stream, and on the main street of the village. This mill is leased by Capt. Elijah Glover, to Nathan Pierce. The number of bushels of grain ground during the year ending Feb. 1859, is 35,000. During the same period, Mr. Pierce has sold at the mill, 25,000 bushels of corn. There are in operation here, three running stones. a cleanser and bolt, which are impelled by a head and fall of water of thirteen feet.
The woolen factory of Cyrus G. Alden, is the last upon the stream, and is the only brick building among the num- ber we have mentioned. The flow of water which is led
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into the factory by a flume, is dependent upon the dam above. The factory has one sett of machinery, and runs three hundred spindles. There are here manufactured yearly, upon the average, 36,500 yards of different kinds of woolen fabrics, such as cassimeres, satinets, and flan- nels. and 15,650 pounds of yarn. During the year 1858, the custom carding done here, amounted to $1000. The number of hands employed the past year. of both sexes, has been fourteen. The factory being contiguous to the water, vessels can readily lay alongside to lade or unlade, which thus saves much labor and expense.
Having thus noticed all the mill privileges now occupied on Megunticook stream, which embraces but a small por- tion of the available water power, which future enterprise may make subservient to labor, we will glance at similar facilities in other parts of the town.
On Spring Brook stream, there is a stave and shingle mill, owned and run by Augustus Thomas. The shingle and heading machine here used, was made by D. Knowlton.
From a brook running from Harrington's meadow, is driven a stave and shingle mill, owned by Melvin and Hodgman.
On Goose River stream, there is one grist, and one saw- mill, and two stave-mills.
The furniture factory of Edward & Miles Leach, at West- Camden, on Oyster River stream, is an establishment worthy of special mention. Connected with the concern, is also a grist-mill, stave and shingle machine. The grist- mill has a new patent grinding apparatus, which is quite an improvement on the one it supplants. The furniture manufactured at the factory, consists principally of bed- steads, for which a market is usually readily found, gen- erally in this State. The Messrs. Leach are young men of enterprise, and have thereby made their undertaking one of success.
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