USA > Maine > Waldo County > Stockton Springs > The story of Stockton Springs, Maine > Part 15
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Telegraph Company installed toll lines through this town in 1906. The first telephone office was in the Ames Store. Later, it was moved to the Denslow Hall Block and still later it was moved to the second floor of the Hopkins Block. The first telephone operator in town was Miss Callie Mclaughlin. In recent years, the telephone office was in the Masonic Block.
In 1895, Capt. C. B. Sanford and Hugh Ross, Esq. of Bangor headed a syndicate which flourished over $60,000 to build and furnish a large hotel on Fort Point, near the site of old Fort Pownal.
The hotel was built by a Stockton contractor and builder, Joseph W. Thompson, Mr. Thompson was born in Montville, Maine on May 11, 1823. He lived most of his life in Stockton. He was one of the town's most prominent citizens. He served his town as selectman and was at one time a representative to the State Legislature. He was a Justice of the Peace. Mr. Thompson also served as the town undertaker for many years. He made the coffins in his shop, which stood where the firehouse now stands. Mr. Thompson was a famous builder. He built many of the beautiful old homes in town and several cottages on Fort Point. He also built in Portland, Maine and in St. Johns, N. B. He married Ursula Biather .* They had eight children: Mary B., who married Henry Staples Moulton; Sarah Elizabeth, who married Melvin Blanchard; Joseph Lin- neus; who married Carrie McNorton, Maria, who married first Bradford Blanchard, second John Howes; Arletta, who married Herbert Mixer; Elmer B., who married Lelia Staples; Alfred D., who married Delia Small; and Clara E., who mar- ried Charles Heath. Mr. Thompson died January 28, 1891.
The hotel mentioned above was one of the largest and most magnificent buildings ever built in this locality. The following remarks concerning the hotel are quoted from an old news- paper clipping :
"The building was a marvel of solidity and nothing of expense was spared to make it conform to the owner's ideas of con- * Joseph and Ursula Thompson were the great-grandparents of the compiler of this book.
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venience, capacity and luxury. It was nearly rectangular in shape, with a high basement, three stories and a mansard roof relieved by a high tower. Wide verandahs surrounded the build- ing from the first and second floors, and the roof formed a most sightly promenade.
The house was a widely known landmark and tourists passing up and down the river almost invariably commented upon its excellent site.
Its interior arrangements were on a magnificent scale for size and its finish and furnishings lavish and unapproachable even at this late day by any summer hotel on the Maine coast. It had accomodations for two hundred guests, and with its broad verandahs, vast stretches of halls and corridors, bowling alley, billiard room and numerous and various accomodations, was all that could be conceived by its projectors and its guests."
The foundations and fireplaces at the hotel were made of Mount Waldo granite. The lawns and flower beds were spacious and beautiful.
Besides the hotel there was a gas plant which furnished lights for the buildings. There was a building for the hired help and stables where several horses and ponies were kept. Later, an octagon shaped dance hall was built on the property.
Carriages were run daily to the village and the mail for the hotel was delivered in a special, sealed pouch.
The first name of the hotel was "The Wassaumkeag Hotel". The name was soon changed to the "Fort Point House". At later times, it was called "The Woodcliff," and the "Fort Point Hotel."
The first few years were seasons of gaiety on "The Point". It was the resort of the elite. Socially prominent people prom- enaded the verandahs, feasted on the most elaborate menus -- served by trained New York waiters-and danced in the evening to the music of the best orchestras of that day.
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Excursions were run by boats from Bangor which brought large groups who attended the parties and dances. It was a very fashionable place! Many noted people vacationed there. Among them was Hanibal Hamlin of Hampden, who was vice- president during Abraham Lincoln's first term as president. Levi Griffin was fond of telling that he often barbered for Hani- bal Hamlin and other distinguished guests at the hotel.
Quoting again: "Finally, rural places sprang up all along the coast. Bar Harbor's star began its ascendent and the patrons wandered away and scattered. Its exclusiveness suf- fered from too frequent incursions of the plebians and, in short, its popularity began to wane, to wax no more except in spasms brought about by the initial booming of each new manager."
Proprietors came and went away poorer than they came. The hotel was managed at one time by William D. Lewis of Boston, later by William Russell of Charleston, and still later by Pom- roy and Eaton. It was purchased by A. H. Soden of Boston who sold it to the last owners, the Rogers brothers of Boston.
The hotel burned June 7, 1898.
In the early 1900's, Fred Perkins had a saw mill in Sandy Point which stood near where Mrs. Annie Bowden's house now stands. That mill burned but was rebuilt later.
Louis F. Murray, a native of Salem, Mass., settled in Stock- ton in 1903. He bought a home on the Sandy Point Road. The house is now owned by Mr. and Mrs. John Scribner of Orono. Mr. Murray was in the real estate business. He served on the school board for three years and was a selectman and assessor in 1906 and 1908. In 1906, he was appointed as Trial Justice for a term of seven years. Mr. Murray was a member of the water commission board when the water system was installed in town.
In 1904, E. M. Lancaster and his sons, John R. and Pierce D. Lancaster formed a contracting and building firm which they called E. M. Lancaster and Sons. The business office was
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in the home of Pierce D. Lancaster on East Main Street (At that time, he lived where Capt. Frank Butler lives now). That firm built the LaFurley Block in 1908. They rebuilt both of the Searsport churches and built the Daniel Goodell house in Searsport.
Bion B. Sanborn moved to Stockton from Belfast in 1904 and established a business which was a line of men's furnishings, boots and shoes. Later, Mr. Sanborn went into the grocery business and continued in both lines of business for many years. His store was known as "The Green Store". Several years ago, he gave up the furnishing line but continued as a grocer until his death in 1945. Following his death, the business was man- aged by A. Earl Trundy, who had been in business with Mr. Sanborn for many years. Mr. Sanborn's grandson, Bion D. Sanborn is the present owner of the business. Mr. Sanborn had the store remodeled into a self-service market in May, 1955.
In 1909, Bion B. Sanborn had a Gent's Furnishings Store on Cape Jellison. It was located near the piers. That store was managed by Walter F. Trundy.
Frank L. Marston, a graduate of the University of Maine, came to Stockton in 1904. He opened a civil engineers office. He surveyed and lotted land on Cape Jellison. Previous to settling in Stockton, Mr. Marston had been a city engineer for the city of Bangor. Prior to that, he had served on the Metro- politan Park Commission in Boston. Mr. Marston also carried on a real estate and insurance business in Stockton. His office was in the Sprague Block. Mr. Marston was a Justice of the Peace and a Notary Public.
In March 1905, the Stockton Springs Trust Company was organized. It was incorporated in the spring of 1907. The in- corporators were: Byron Boyd, Joseph Williamson of Augusta, A. I. Brown of Belfast, Harry R. Hichborn, Albert M. Ames, Simeon B. Merrithew and Herbert L. Hopkins. Stock for the company amounted to $25,000. The officers were: president, Harry R. Hichborn; vice-president, W. N. Taylor; secretary,
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Albert M. Ames; treasurer, Simeon B. Merrithew; cashier, L. P. Lawton; executive board, Harry R. Hichborn, Albert M. Ames, Simeon B. Merrithew, Herbert L. Hopkins and Edwin G. Merrill.
About 1905, Capt. Melvin E. Colcord ran a ferry line in Stockton Harbor. The business was called the Stockton Har- bor Ferry Line. The launches ran from the Stockton landing at the foot of Middle Street to Cape Jellison and Kidder's Point Dock. Fares between all points were 10c per person. The ferry made connections with all trains on the B. & A. R. R. and all river and harbor boats.
Stockton Springs had two newspapers at one time. They were the Waldo County Commercial and the Stockton Springs Sun. The Waldo County Commercial had offices in the Sprague Block, but it was published in Cherryfield, Maine, by the Eastern Publishing Company. The publisher was Herbert C. Libby. It was a Republican paper. Walter F. Trundy owns a copy of the first issue which was published on April 27, 1905. The Stockton Springs Sun was printed in Stockton Springs every Saturday. Walter F. Trundy has two copies of that paper which are dated July 28, 1906 and August 4, 1906. All the pictures in the papers were drawn. There were no photo- graphs.
Quoting Miss Faustina Hichborn:
"In March 1905, a charter was obtained for a Water Supply Company for the town. Various sources were examined; the water analyzed; distances calculated, etc. A decision was reached in favor of Boyd's Pond (sometimes called Half-Moon Pond), situated in Frankfort and North Searsport, which was promptly secured. The water being pure (furnished from springs in the bottom) and the elevation sufficient to bring water, by force of gravity, into the buildings of the whole town, excepting those on very high hills."
A Stockton Springs correspondent wrote in a copy of the Bangor Daily News in 1905: "Our town is fortunate in the
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possession of such young business men as H. R. Hichborn, S. B. Merrithew and A. M. Ames. Their wisdom in securing from the Legislature the past winter a charter for the Stockton Springs Water Company becomes manifest this week, when the managers of the N. S. R. R. suggests that hydrant protection is essential to a railroad terminal, for in addition to thousands of dollars worth of buildings, the company is liable to have from one to three thousand loaded and empty cars on hand in their yards that could not be kept insured if left be- yond the protection of water pressure for the extinguishment of fire."
The water company was formed August 4, 1906. John Moore of Boston was hired as the contractor in charge of the construction and C. N. Taylor of Wellesley, Mass. was em- ployed to furnish all the necessary equipment. Italian laborers were hired to dig the trenches and lay the water mains. Mains were laid from the pond to the reservoir on Church Street. Other mains were carried through each street in the village and onto Cape Jellison, to the big piers.' Frank H. Jackson was the agent for the company.
The town appointed M. E. Colcord, L. F. Murray, and W. J. Creamer to make a contract with the water company. The contract provided for the fire hydrants and for two watering troughs for man and beast. One watering trough was installed in front of the livery stable which is now Stowell's Garage. It was installed in 1908.
The water company was sold in 1932 to the Penobscot County Water Company of Orono. Bert Bowden was made the manager in Stockton and has served in that capacity since 1932.
A board of trade was established in 1906 to promote business. It was expected, at that time, that Stockton would become a great shipping port. Congress raised an appropriation of $38,000 for dredging Stockton Harbor. The Big Docks were in use and the largest vessels of that time could dock at the
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piers. Stockton was the shipping port for all of Waldo County, for Aroostook County, and was the winter port for the eastern provinces of Canada. A few hour's sail took ships into the eastern Atlantic channel which was the route to the British Isles and Europe or into the western channel which was the route to Boston, New York, and the South American ports.
In 1906, W. C. Treat had a drug store in the Masonic Block where the Post Office is today. In May 1907, William Treat sold his business to Dr. George Stevens. John Wardwell managed the business for Dr. Stevens.
At one time, William Lower manufactured cigars in the La- Furley Block. His shop was on the second floor of the building.
W. G. Applin of Boston and Somerville, Mass. came to Cape Jellison about 1906 and opened a grocery store, Later, that store was run by Otis Ellis, then by Connie Grant, and still later by Mrs. Nellie Colson.
Jim Lawrence ran a fruit store on Cape Jellison about 1906. That store was later bought and run by Tony Rezzoagli and Peter Wedin.
At one time Jim Harriman ran a grocery store in the house now owned by Mrs. Iva Tinney.
About 1906, there were two barbers on Cape Jellison: Jim Bradley who had a shop across from the Cassidy House and Fred Dutch who had a shop in Jim White's store.
Tim Fellows and Frank Young had a meat and vegetable market in the Mudgett Store on East Main Street.
J. W. Smart of North Searsport had a market and grocery store in the basement of the Masonic Block.
John Lancaster and Williard Berry had a mail stage and livery business. They dissolved partnership later. Mr. Lan- caster retained the mail stage and livery business. Mr. Berry ran an express line to Belfast.
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Charles Rendell had a store in the store now occupied by Walter F. Trundy. Later, Maitland LaFurley had a grocery store there and rented part of the store to B. J. Cox who ran a small jewelry and optical business. Later, Mr. Cox moved his business to the basement of the Hopkins Block. In 1908, Mr. Maitland LaFurley had his block built and moved in his busi- ness. He has been in business there ever since.
James White had a variety store in Cape Jellison opposite the Cassidy Hotel. There also was a bowling alley in his building.
R. H. Rockwood had an office in the Masonic Block where he sold stocks, bonds and house lots.
A. A. Beaton, a notary public and a Justice of the Peace, had his office in the Hopkins Block.
Herbert L. Hopkins was a general business man who dealt in hay, wood, coal and various other things. He had a block built in 1906. The building was built by George Weymouth. The south side of the ground floor housed the Stockton Springs Trust Company when it was first incorporated. The bank was moved later to the part of the Sprague Block now occupied by Mrs. Sebra Baker's shop. The Post Office was located in the north part of the ground floor of the Hopkins Block for many years. The second floor was used for offices, including the telephone office. There were two apartments on the third floor. During the years various businesses were located in that block. Finally, the second floor was converted into apart- ments. This block has not been used for several years. It is owned now by Ralph Stowell.
Miss Ida Merrithew had a dressmaking establishment on the upper floor of the Ames Insurance Building for twenty-five or thirty years.
During the boom days of the Big Docks, there were three hotels on Cape Jellison. They were: The Bayview House,
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which was run by a Mr. Conray; the Cape Jellison House, run by H. P. Grieves and Sons; and the Cassidy House.
In May 1907, Henry Hawes built the first tenement house on Cape Jellison. That house is owned now by Rev. Cleo Russell.
George Weymouth, a contractor, had a store on Depot Ave- nue, near the station, where he sold all kinds of building ma- terials and a general line of hardware. Near his store was his shop where he did all kinds of woodwork jobbing. His principal business was building houses. He built the Hopkins Block, Arthur Colcord's house, Oscar Nobel's house, Albert M. Ames' house and others. He built the City National Bank Building in Belfast, and the Hubbard Fertilizer building in Searsport. He lived in an apartment over his store.
In the early part of this century, John Mclaughlin ran two carriages, called ten-cent teams, for the accomodation of the village people. From that modest start, Mr. Mclaughlin built up the business known for years as the Mclaughlin Stage Line. The line ran from Belfast to Bangor. Later, the stages were replaced by automobiles and still later by buses. After the automobiles were used, the business was renamed the Mclaughlin Bus Line and the route operated from Rockland to Bangor. After Mr. Mclaughlin died, the line was operated by his sons, Ernest and Archie Mclaughlin. In 1951, the Mclaughlins sold out to the Greyhound Bus Line.
In 1907, Walter F. Trundy opened a dry and fancy goods store in the Sprague Block. He also carried a line of notions. Mrs. Trundy was in business with him for many years. He is assisted now by his daughter, Mrs. Edith Colcord. Mr. Trundy has been in business continually since 1907. He has served as town clerk since 1908, with the exception of the year 1915, Mr. Trundy has his office in the rear of his store. The Current Events Club Library was situated in this store for several years.
T. Blake and W. Alexander of New York leased the pro- perty owned by Albert N. Kelley on the Mill Road in 1907.
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They lived in the house but used the stable as a workshop where they did all kinds of sheet-iron work, boiler repairing, forging, and boiler making. They called their business "The Penobscot Iron Works".
About this time Frank Young had his meat market in the Hopkins Block. Later, Arthur Moore had a meat market in the Hopkins Block.
Other business establishments in town in 1907 were: D. McGee had a cigar and tobacco shop on Cape Jellison. Hurd and Goodwin ran a lunch room and clothing store on Cape Jellison. Their business was in a building owned by Harry Clark of Belfast. Also, in the Clark Building was a store called "The Busy Little Bee-Hive." All of those business establish- ments were burned in December 1907. A Mrs. Follett had a greenhouse where Mrs. Hattie Clifford lives today. William T. Smith had a grocery store and meat market on Cape Jellison. He also took boarders at his home. Dutch and Berry had a store on Cape Jellison where they sold fruit, confectionery, cigars and tobacco. They served lunches and ran a pool and billiard parlor. Also, they ran the "Cape Jellison Bowling Alleys". Ernest Blanchard ran a livery stable on the site sit- uated between the old Trundy shop and the John Lancaster property. That livery stable had been run in earlier days by Charles Rendell and later by Fred Grant. One of the buildings was moved to the property of John Lancaster who used it as a carriage house. Frank Moulton opened a jewelry business in the LaFurley Block in February, 1907, but closed out his busi- ness in June of that year. Joseph W. Hamlin ran an insurance business. His first office was in the Sprague Block over what is now Trundy's Store. Later, he moved his office to the second floor of the Hopkins Block. W. J. Creamer ran a ferry in Stockton Harbor.
Madame Santos was in business here for many years. She was an astrological reader and fortune teller. She was well
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known and did a flourishing business until her death a few years ago. She lived where William Pomeroy lives now.
A hand laundry was opened in Hichborn Hall by Ralph Thompson in 1908. He was assisted by Mr. and Mrs. E. H. Hunting. The Huntings came to Stockton from Boston. Later, the Huntings ran the laundry. In the winter, they employed no help but in the summer, they employed eight people.
John H. Wardwell had a shop in the Masonic Block in 1908. He sold newspapers, stationery, confectionery, patent medi- cines, perfume and other related products. He also ran a soda fountain. Mr. Wardwell came to Stockton from Rumford where he had served as postmaster. Later, he had his business in a section of the B. B. Sanborn Store. Still later, he moved his business to the Sprague Block. He ran movies in Denslow Hall once a week.
In 1908, a sardine factory and a wharf were built on Cape Jellison near the site of the old Mudgett and Libby shipyard. The land for the factory site was given by George Lampher. The factory was a one story structure when it was first built but later George Weymouth raised the roof and added a second story. The wharf was constructed by Capt. Babbidge. The owners of the plant were: F. H. and J. D. Young of Eastport. The plant opened for business in June, 1909. The first product canned was clams. Later it was a sardine factory. The Youngs ran the factory for a year or two, then it was run by the Gorton Pew Fish Company for a few years. Still later, it was pur- chased by Angus Holmes, Herbert L. Hopkins and William Morrison.
About 1908, Capt. Charles Park ran an undertaking estab- lishment in town.
Miss Frances Cleves ran a shop where she sold ladies fur- nishings and millinery. Her shop was in the Colcord Building After she died, her store was taken over by Jewel Mooney and Lillian Morey of Bucksport.
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Electric lights were installed in Stockton in 1908 by the Penobscot Bay Electric Light Company of Bucksport. House lights were installed in September of that year. The power lines were run through the town but street lights were not in- stalled until 1911.
Rufus Mudgett had a general store in the Mudgett Build- ing (which he owned) where he sold groceries, tobacco, and confectionery. Mr. Mudgett was the postmaster for many years. He had the Post Office in the Mudgett Building. In 1909, the Post Office was moved to the Hopkins Block.
Harry Sweet had a restaurant and bakery in the Colcord Building about 1900.
Ed Seavey ran a sawmill several years ago in North Stock- ton. He lived where Fred Lane later lived.
In 1909, movies were first shown in town in Denslow Hall. The Hutchins Moving Picture Company showed pictures every Saturday night. Later, Wilbur Crockett of Winterport took over the business. Still later, John Wardwell took over the movie business. In later years, Robert Andrews ran movies in the Rendell Building. He ran the business for several years. He sold his business to Robert Hall of Belfast. In 1949, George Ross bought the Rendell Block, renamed it the Cameo Theatre and ran movies there for about two years.
Other business establishments in town in 1909 were: Sewell Viles was the town shoemaker. Charles McGregor had a fruit and confectionery store in the Sprague Block. Mrs. Grace Britto and Mrs. Maria Blanchard had a millinery business in the LaFurley Block. They also sold five and ten cent articles, crockery, tinware, glass-ware and other related articles. Mrs. Blanchard (who later married John Howes) was the local dressmaker for many years. The Misses Lizzie and Ethel Colcord had an ice cream parlor in the Colcord building. C. W. Sprague had a ship brokerage office in the Sprague Block. He sold marine insurance of all kinds.
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Capt. Melvin Colcord built a mill in 1910 where he made barrel staves and heads.
Jacob Eames ran an express business for several years be- tween Stockton, Searsport and Belfast. In 1910, he sold his business to Truman Lathrop.
In 1910, Capt. Warren Haskell built a store on Cape Jellison on the site where Ralph Shute, Sr.'s house stands now. Capt. Haskell ran a general store there until the building burned in 1921. Capt. Haskell then converted a new barn, which stood near his dwelling house, into a store. He and his wife carried on the second store until 1932.
Cutting and shipping Christmas Trees has been a seasonal business locally for many years. In 1911, Stockton furnished the city of Boston with its first municipal Christmas Tree. It was one of the first municipal trees to be erected in the United States. The beautiful tree was cut on the Jerry Grant farm which was located on the Stone House Farm Road.
John Sofia, locally known as "Honest John", ran a clothing store in the basement of the Masonic Block for several years.
In 1916, the Lawrence Canning Company building and wharf were built on Merrithew Point. The builder was John Merri- thew who built for Edward Lawrence of Rockland. Ryan Kelley of Portland was president of the company. The build- ing was 180 x 35 feet and the wharf was 200 x 50 feet. Later, that factory was owned by the East Coast Fisheries Co. In 1920, it was rented to Angus Holmes who operated the Stock- ton Canning Company. After a few years, it was purchased by John McLaughlon, who owned it when it burned, October 28, 1921.
April 1, 1916, the town voted to raise $5000 to build a wharf on Merrithew Point and to build the foundations of a building, also to have a railroad siding run to the wharf. That vote was rescinded at a later town meeting. However, it was voted to build a road from Middle Street to the site of the wharf. The
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road was built. The town appointed a committee to work on the project. Those appointed to that committee were: Alvah Treat, William Morrison, M. R. LaFurley, Herbert Hopkins and L. A. Gardner.
In 1920, Myron J. Clark opened a barber shop in the base- ment of the Hopkins Block. Later he moved his business to the Masonic Building. Still later, he moved his business to a small building on his home property. The building, which he used for his shop, had been moved from School Street. It was once a tailor shop which was owned by G. N. Simmons. Mr. Clark was in business in town for thirty-five years. He died December 26, 1954.
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