USA > Maine > York County > Kennebunk > The village of Kennebunk, Maine : interesting facts from old documents and maps, and observations by the author > Part 7
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7
The Old Brick, rebuilt by Isaac Lord, 1824.
Wood Annex (Mousam House), 1825.
Ocean Bank, same lot, 1870.
Savings Bank Annex, 1903.
National and Savings Bank, 1929.
White Store, corner Main and Dane Streets, 1814.
Col. Hardy's Tobacco Factory, 1810.
Remich Printing Office, Nath. Frost, 1793.
Palmer Walker Store, 1818.
Osborn Store, corner Main and Fletcher Streets, 1815.
Sargent Ross Block, corner Main and Grove Street, 1881.
Mason Block (Downing's), 1878.
Ross Block, built two stories, corner Main and Grove Sts., 1895. Ross Block, third story added, 1902.
I. O. O. F. Block, Main Street, 1895.
Parsons Block, corner Main and Storer Streets, 1887.
Lunge and Meserve Block, cor. Main and Storer Streets, 1903. Curtis and Roberts Block, east end of Triangle, 1923.
Thompson's at the Bridge, Main and Water Streets, 1912. Bowdoin Block raised (present Post Office), 1912.
K. of P. Block, Main and Bourne Streets, 1891.
K. of P. Block repaired, story added, 1919.
Star Office, Garden Street, 1929.
Town Hall, Main, Portland and Summer Street, 1867. Altered and enlarged, 1892.
66
THE VILLAGE OF
Present Town Hall, 1921.
Public Library dedicated, Aug. 2, 1907.
Engine House, Fletcher Street, 1889.
Barnard Tavern, Barnard Street, 1776.
Jefferds Tavern, fronting the bridge, 1783.
Name changed to Mousam House, April 10, 1861.
Girls' Club House, back of Library, 1926.
Oscar Clark Store and Tenement, York and High Sts., 1889.
A brief sketch of when the houses on Summer Street and some others of the older houses were erected :
Starting at the corner of Elm Street where John Downing's blacksmith shop was, now a two-tenement house.
The house of John Downing which he occupied in 1860.
Herbert E. Lunge built about 19
Elisha Chadbourne built (John Balch), 1810.
Phineas Hemingway (Joseph Dane), 1796.
Robt. Smith's house was built before 1800 by Capt. Jere Paul. It then stood between the houses built by Capt. George and Capt. Ivory Lord. It was moved to the corner of Park Street and sold to Robt. Smith in 1854.
Dr. Burleigh Smart built the house on the other corner of Park Street in 1826, the only brick house in the Village.
Dr. Jacob Fisher built soon after 1790. His house stood about where Capt. N. L. Thompson built in 1848. When Dr. Fisher built he had an unbroken view from his door to the Meeting House. In 1841 it was sold to Capt. Thompson who moved it down the hill opposite Elm Street, now owned by Dr. J. S. Barker.
Capt. Charles Thompson built in 1846.
The Remich house was built by Daniel Paul in 1801, bought in 1817 by James K. Remich; enlarged and rebuilt by his son, Daniel, in 1865.
Capt. Geo. Lord built in 1834. Capt. Ivory Lord in 1835.
Dr. Edw. W. Morton built in 1850. This house was known for a few years prior to 1919 as the Mclellan House. Remodeled in 1927 and now owned and occupied by two granddaughters of Dr. Morton, the Misses Annie and Florabel Ross.
Joseph Titcomb built in 1855. It was sold to Emery Andrews in 1878, and to Chas. R. Littlefield in 1917.
Col. Wm. L. Thompson built and sold to Capt. Wm. B. Nason, Jr., 1854. The Daniel Hatch house was built by John Chad- bourne in 1804. Capt. Horatio Moody built in 1866 between Capt. Nason and the Hatch house.
Walter L. Dane built about 1900. Wm. Simpson in 1875.
67
KENNEBUNK, MAINE
Boston and Maine R. R. Station was built in 1872.
The next below I think Saml. Lord, date unknown. The house at the corner of the Sea Road was built by Abial Kelley about 1794. Geo. Wise built the French roof house in 1868. Isaac Downing about 1834.
East Side of Summer Street
Joseph Moody probably the last part of 1700. Bennett house about 1890. Hubbard house about 1750.
Atlantic Shore Line Waiting Room, 1898.
Sylvester Chick built in 1889. Ralph Andrews about 1906. El- liot Rogers about 1896. George Little, 1875. Capt. Moses Maling in 1862-1863.
The Hatch house was built by Capt. Joseph Hatch in 1800. Razed and C. W. Goodnow built about 1905.
John A. Lord built in 1855. Col. Wm. L. Thompson in 1860-61.
The Hillard house built on Main Street, 1775, moved to Water Street, 1884.
Hartley Lord built in 1884-85. Wm. Taylor built in 1804.
The small part of the next house built by Jonathan Banks in 1760, the large part by Judge Jonas Clark in 1804-5.
About 1875 Mr. Hartley Lord built a stable near the then Capt. Wm. Williams house; after building on the Hillard lot it was moved to the near of the new house. Rev. Augustus and Mrs. Lord have built here in 1933.
Hotel Greenleaf was in part built by Saml. B. Low in 1816, sold in 1817 to Col. Enoch Hardy who finished it and lived there until his death in 1849, then sold to Wm. Hacket. He sold in 1858 to Capt. Wm. Williams who enlarged and remodeled it .. Mrs. Williams sold about 1909 to Dr. Herbert H. Purington. He sold about 1915 to Perley D. Greenleaf.
Wm. D. Hay built in 1921. (Dr. Barker's already described.).
James Kimball in 1763. Ward and Rice, 1878. Dr. L. Richards house about 1800.
Mechanic Street
South east, Rufus Furbush in 1821 sold to Hosea Goodwin. On the north east corner house built by Humphrey Chadbourne, date unknown.
Storer Street
N. N. Wiggin built in 1858. Alva Hill about the same time.
The first house on the farm of Rev. Nathaniel Hill Fletcher was built about 1796 by Samuel Stevens, Jr. He died at sea about 1801 and the estate was sold to the Rev. Mr. Fletcher who also purchased several lots of land in the immediate vicinity. The
68
THE VILLAGE OF
farm then extended on the west side to the Perkins farm. The elm trees on each side of the road were set out about 1812. The long line of stump fence on the western side of the road just above the house used to attract a great deal of notice. Rev. Mr. Fletcher moved from Kennebunk in 1828 and the farm was sold to Nathaniel M. Towle who owned it about 20 years although he never lived on it. In May, 1850, he sold to Alvah Hill. In 1854 Hill sold to Ithama Littlefield who built a new house. April, 1858, Littlefield sold to Nathan Dane, Jr., who greatly improved it. April, 1864, Dane sold to John Roberts. Sept. 27, 1878, while owned by Roberts the barn was burned. This was the last fire at which the buckets of the Kennebunk Fire society did efficient service. There were two lines to the river, one filled, one empty. The writer of this sketch stood in the river and filled buckets. Although connected with the barn the house and ell were saved but much unnecessary damage was done in the house. The barn was rebuilt in 1879. In 1885, Roberts sold to Frank Perkins. In 1891 the Perkins estate sold to Edwin Parsons. The barn was burned June 27, 1894. The date on the present one says 1894. In 1901 Parsons sold to Don Chamberlin and in 1906 he sold to Jean Dubois. His estate was sold to E. C. Snowdon and he sold about 1919 to Ernest C. Smith of Kennebunkport who now owns it.
Dane Street
Union Street was laid out in 1815, name changed to Dane Street in 1845. The first house on the left was built by John T. Kimball after 1830. Sold to Capt. Jott S. Perkins, then to Henry Durrell in 1871. It is now owned by Don Chamberlin.
Second Congregational Church dedicated Oct. 27, 1828. Chapel built in 1860.
The next house was built on the Ross Road, moved here by B. Palmer. He sold to Capt. James Burnham, Sept., 1855. His daughter devised it to the Methodist Society for a Parsonage (1864). The old house was torn down and a new one built about 1894.
The double house was built by B. Palmer, sold to Capt. Geo. A. Webb and Capt. John Barker. It was remodeled about 1904 by Mrs. Carrie Simonds (Webb's daughter) and operated a few years as the Fleetwood Hotel. Vacant a few years. Sold to E. C. Snowdon, now again two tenements .- Elm Street.
The next house built by Edw. Gould a few years after the street was laid out. Sold to Capt. Wm. Lord, Jr. He sold to Mrs. Daniel Nason in 1853. It was sold to Chas. H. Cole who has remodeled and enlarged it.
The next house was built by Isaac Furbush, Sr., about the
69
KENNEBUNK, MAINE
same time. Now two tenements. The house on the corner was moved from the Sea Road by Edw. Greenough. It has been oc- cupied by Chas. W. Williams, Wm. Hacket, Capt. Edw. Stone and Wm. Titcomb who married Capt Stone's daughter.
Park Street was opened about 1807 to Dane Street, extended to connect with Grove Street in 1881. At the foot of Dane Street across Park Street was Union Academy built in 1833. Bought by District No. 5 in 1855, used as the Grammar School until 1866 when the High School was started. Destroyed by fire, April 18, 1870. Brick schoolhouse built the same year, remodeled and enlarged 1899; razed and the present High School building erected in 1921.
Playground given to the Town by Mr. Henry Parsons in 1911. Auto entrance on Park Street. Later more added and it now ex- tends to the Lane back of the Baptist Church where there is an entrance for pedestrians only.
Wm. R. Robinson built the next house about 1900, sold to Judge Edwin J. Cram. It is now owned by Howard L. Burr.
The next house was built by Chas. W. Kimball. He sold to Capt. Wm. B. Nason about 1852; it is now occupied by his daughter, Miss Annie Nason.
Oliver Bartlett purchased the next lot about 1825, built a barn and started a house, sold to Samuel Mendum in 1828; he sold to Alexander Warren, who finished the house and lived there until his death in 1878. In the next 40 years it has had many occupants and owners. In 1921 purchased by L. A. Hurd of San- ford. It is now the funeral parlors of Hurd and Son, Paul D. Hurd, resident manager.
George A. Gilpatrick bought the next lot in 1882, built in 1883, enlarged in 1903. The barn back of the Dane house was razed in 1932 by Dr. J. H. Macdonald.
The first houses on the extension of Part Street were built in 1881 by A. Jacquemin and Charles W. Kelley.
Fletcher Street
A house was built as early as 1810 by Timothy Kezar who was a tanner. After his death the property was owned by Capt. Dan- iel Curtis of Kennebunkport. He sold to Oliver Riatt who sold to John Emery in 1858. In 1869 it was sold to George Parsons. In 1889 to Chas. W. Goodnow who lived there until about 1905.
There have been many large and handsome houses erected on Storer Street since 1880, as well as in other parts of the Village.
70
THE VILLAGE OF
CHAPTER NINE
OLD HOUSES
Colonel Storer
Any description of Kennebunk Village would be incomplete without a somewhat extended account of Col. Joseph Storer and his family. He was the son of John Storer descended from one of the early settlers of Wells, born May 17, 1725. Married in 1753 to Hannah Murch of Greenland, N. H. He came to Kenne- bunk to make it a permanent home in 1757. Built the small one- story house which stood on the lot now occupied by the residence of the late Paul I. Andrews (who built in 1894). This Storer house was then moved to Hovey Street. About 1759 he built the Mansion house, now standing although many changes have been made outside and in. There used to be a long roof at the back sloping to one story as was the style in many of the old houses of that date. It was the first house in town to be painted. A full description is given in "Kennebunk 1790." He left two sons, Clement, who was a physician and married and settled in Ports- moth, N. H. Joseph, who married in 1808 Miss Priscilla Cutts of Portsmouth, N. H., and brought his bride to the family man- sion. The property was never divided but as lots were sold they divided the proceeds. Soon after the death of Col. Storer his sons commenced selling the estate. Joseph probably operated or leased to others the Saw Mill at the eastern end of the upper dam. President Monroe was entertained here July, 1817, on his eastern visit.
Joseph Storer built in 1783-5 a large two story store on the western end of the Triangle in which he traded, also kept the Post Office (succeeding Barnard), which he kept until 1810 when he was appointed Collector of Customs, which office he held sixteen years, Geo. Wheelwright deputy. This store was purchased about 1833 by Isaac Lord and moved to High Street nearly opposite Friend Street, and sold to Capt. Joseph Hatch, Jr. Joseph Storer died in 1832 aged 76 years. In 1825 General Lafayette, while on his visit to the United States, had luncheon here, and was intro- duced to the ladies of Kennebunk. This visit named the elm tree.
In November, 1844, Capt. Wm. Lord, Jr., purchased of the widow of Joseph Storer the homestead of about 20 acres. At that time the field on the western side of Storer Street, extend- ing from the bridge to the Parson Fletcher farm belonged to the estate. Capt. Lord sold this in lots and made many improvements to the buildings and fences. The barn with the elm tree grow- ing through the roof has in the past attracted considerable at-
71
KENNEBUNK, MAINE
tention. This was built by Capt. Lord. York County map of 1856 shows a picture of the house as it looked then. In April, 1869, his son, Charles W. Lord, sold the Old Storer house with the residue of about eleven acres of land to Charles Parsons. In Oct. 1870, Mr. Parsons had the two large granite stones in the front of the house hauled from Alfred and placed as a front fence. One is 30x3x1 feet, the other 29x3x1 feet.
In the fall of 1891 he had the land surveyed and divided into lots. Parsons Street was laid out and Bourne Street extended. Most of the lots were sold at public auction. The homestead was sold to Owen Berry. Berry sold to Charles H. Brown. The La- fayette Elm and lot surrounding it was deeded to the Town by the heirs of Chas. Parsons Jan. 3, 1916. Its size in 1921: Five feet above the ground, girth 17 feet 3 inches; spread 131 feet. There is no record of its age. This lot is now a part of the Park System.
Mousam House
The Jefferds Tavern or Mousam House after April 10, 1861. April 19, 1775, Dominicus Lord commenced clearing the lot. There is a tradition that the elm trees opposite the Ocean Bank and Soldiers' Monument were taken from here and set out that day. About 1783 he erected a small house which is a part of the present hotel. A few years later he sold to to Major Wm. Jefferds who at once opened it as a Public House. (One record that I have seen says that Major William, son of Capt. Samuel Jefferds, moved to Kennebunk in 1790, purchasing of Dominicus Lord in 1791 the house which he had built on the Hill.) He was landlord until 1814 when his son Capt. George Jefferds took his place. Maj. Wm. probably made the additions, date uncertain. York Lodge history refers to it in 1814 as Wm. Jefferds' House. In 1821 they refer to a dinner at Capt. George Jefferds' Hotel. Capt. George Jefferds died in 1823. The estate was sold in 1826 to Capt. John Hovey who owned it until his death in 1855. In a history of the Second Congregational Church it says that the Council called to organize the Church met at the Public House of Nathaniel M. Towle, 1826. The Masons had a dinner at Brother Towle's Hotel in 1827. Mr. Towle came to Kennebunk from Exeter, N. H., and was landlord of the hotel during the palmy days of the Stage Coach travel. He was followed by Isaac Hilton, dates not known. Mr. Hilton died in 1851 and Capt. Hovey managed it until his death in 1855.
The property was sold at auction April 30, 1856, to Capt. Wm. Lord, Jr., George, Ivory and Wm. Lord. Edmund Warren was here part or all of the time from 1857 to 1861. B. Frank Good-
72
THE VILLAGE OF
win removed from the Mousam House, corner of Main and Fletcher Streets, April 10, 1861. He brought his sign with him and the name was changed from Jefferds Tavern to Mousam House which it has since been called. Mr. Goodwin remained here until April, 1863. He was followed by. Woodbury A. Hall, part or all of the time until 1870. Mr. Lorenzo Parsons pur- chased the property in July, 1870, and made changes and im- provements, built piazza and portico.
In 1874 he sold to John C. Baker who remained there until his death. He was followed by George C. Twing, who died in April, 1885. George Bonser managed the hotel and stable two years. Charles C. Tibbetts of Norway purchased it in 1889. Chas. E. Sawyer managed it about five years, followed by Daniel H. Swan. During that time Mr. Tibbetts died and his widow returned and has since been proprietress.
Mr. Remich says that when Lafayette was in Kennebunk, June 25, 1825, that he had dinner at Nathaniel M. Towle's Hotel.
Masonic History says that they had supper at Hilton's Hotel, Dec. 20, 1847.
The Lexington Elms, Main Street
Thomas Cousens had a house in the west corner before 1750. Theodore Lyman built a two-story house about 1770 but did not own the lot. He dwelt in the upper story and used the lower as a store. He and James Kimball set out the elm trees in front, April 19, 1775. This house was removed to Zion's Hill about 1777, and was occupied by a Mr. Blaisdell and was later known as the Hillard house, was bought by Hartley Lord in 1883, part moved to Water Street, part to Kennebunkport.
Nathaniel Frost came to Kennebunk in 1790. In 1793 he built the store afterwards owned by James K. Remich. In 1797 he married Abigail, daughter of James Kimball. He bought the lot of Kimball and built the house the same year. He was captain of the Cavalry Company. He died Oct. 21, 1817. Soon after the erection of the house he built a store near where the Cousens house stood. After his death the store was occupied by Daniel Sewall and others. It was purchased by Chas. Herrick and moved to the east side of Fletcher street and has been described. The house was occupied after Frost's death by Thomas Drew and then by Wm. B. Sewall. It was sold in 1818 to Joseph Storer and was occupied for a time by his brother-in-law, Charles Cutts, Secretary of the U. S. Senate, Wm. Lord and others.
Storer sold the property in 1832 to Isaac Lord of Effingham, N. H., who had purchased the old Brick Store and it was occu- pied by his son James Lord. Sold in April, 1854, to Capt. Noah
Washington Hall, destroyed by fire Nov 25, 1866 Occupied site of old Town Hall
73
KENNEBUNK, MAINE
Nason. He built the front portico and iron fence. At that time the back field was nearly covered with apple trees. Capt. Nason sold in August, 1863, to Dr. N. E. Smart, and his son-in-law, Capt. Wm. Symonds. Dr. Smart died May 19, 1869. Capt. Sy- monds and his wife and daughter were drowned in the English Channel, Oct. 14, 1874, by the collision of the Ship Kingsbridge, of which he was master, with the Ship Candahar. Mrs. Smart died in 1879 and devised the estate to her nephew, Nathan Dane, Jr., who moved there Dec. 11, 1879. There used to be a balus- trade around the roof. This was removed and the iron fence cut off by Mr. Dane. He sold about 1900 to David Littlefield, who died Jan. 12, 1905. It is now occupied by his son, William O. Littlefield, and his daughter, Mrs. Howe (now deceased).
Benjamin Brown, Esq., built in 1784. He used a part of it for a store several years. His trade increasing, he built the main part of what was called the Long Building before 1790, and used it for his store until 1793, when he sold it to Wm. Jef- ferds and Stephen Tucked. He left Kennebunk in 1795 and the house became the property of Dr. Jacob Fisher who married Brown's sister. He probably had various tenants. After his death in 1840 it was sold to Oliver Littlefield. There was formerly a side hill on Main Street in front of this house and the Howard house. The street was plowed down in 1827. Littlefield excavated the front part of the house making a hall and two front basement rooms. He resided here until his death in 1853. It was then sold to Edw. E. Bourne, Jr., who made it two tenements. He occu- pied one, Wm. Downing the other.
The house when built was considered the most beautiful and costly residence in the Village. The front yard fence attracted much attention as the posts were covered with powdered glass which glittered when the sun was shining. The house has been occupied by Messrs. Griffin, Scarborough, H. E. and Dr. Geo. W. Bourne, Tucker, Seavey, Dr. Wentworth, Otis, King and Bodge, who has an auto filling station and repair shop.
The Barnard Tavern was built in 1776.
Dr. Burleigh Smart built the only brick house in the Village in 1826 on the corner of Summer and Park Streets, which he oc- cupied until his death in 1852. It was then sold to Capt. F. N. Thompson who added the outside ornamental finish.
There are only two French roof houses in the Village. George Wise built in 1868, Capt. Moody in 1866.
The Wallingford house, York Street, was built in 1804 by Geo. W. Wallingford, Sr. It was constructed in the best manner with outer underpinning lined on the inside with brick, plastering be-
74
THE VILLAGE OF
tween the studding. It was provided with seven fireplaces, a large brick oven, smoke closet, etc. I think that no attempt has been made to modernize it outside or inside.
In 1803 and 1804 Thomas Eaton was architect and builder in enlarging the First Parish Church and building the steeple. He also built the houses of Jonas Clark, William Taylor, Nathaniel Frost and Geo. W. Wallingford, Sr.
The Kimball house or some part of it was built in 1765 by James Kimball. He also had a blacksmith shop near where the Centennial Elm is. This house is next below the first Town Han lot.
The Kimball Dane house, corner of Main and Dane Streets, was built in 1795 by James Kimball, Jr. He married Sarah Kim- ball in 1796 and Sallie Goodwin (sister of Hosea) of Somers- worth, N. H., in 1810. Aug. 14, 1815, he sold at auction his house, barn, blacksmith shop and twelve acres of land adjoining to Joseph Dane, Sr. The blacksmith shop stood at the rear of the White Store on the site of the house now owned by Don Chamberlin. It was soon after torn down. Kimball had sold in 1814 the lot on which the White Store stands to Moses Savory who built in the fall of 1814. Mr. Dane resided there until his death in 1858. It was occupied by his widow until her death in 1872. It then became the property of Mrs. F. P. Hall. She sold to Hartley Lord about 1883 and it was then occupied by his mother-in-law, Mrs, Hilton. After her death, by Dr. J. S. Barker. It was then sold to Dr. A. L. Douglas. He built the office on Dane Street. He sold to Mrs. Chase, and her heirs to Dr. James H. Macdonald, who now occupies it.
Union Street was laid out in 1815, probably by Mr. Dane. The name was changed to Dane Street in 1840.
The Parsons house on Bourne Street was built by John U. Par- sons in 1812. This house was modeled from a similar one at Newburyport and was undoubtedly the finest dwelling ever erected in Kennebunk with its wide hall, side entry with arched ceiling elaborately finished, spiral staircase of three flights with paneled splayed window and tall clock niche, airy, well-finished rooms, lofty cellar, balustraded roof and terraced lawns and long approach from the street.
75
KENNEBUNK, MAINE
CHAPTER TEN
DATES OF DESTRUCTIVE FIRES
Sept. 25, 1813, house and barn of Joseph Dane, Sr., Summer St.
Nov. 10, 1818, house of Adam McCulloch, Landing.
Aug. 3, 1824, the Old Brick and houses, Main St.
Sept. 21, 1837, barn of Mr. Wm. Lord, Summer St.
Nov. 8-9, 1841, Mayall or Machine Shop, Eastern end Lower Dam.
Apr. 5, 1850, Cotton Mill of Mousam Manf. Co.
June 10, 1858, stores west end of the Triangle.
Sept. 17, 1865, woods fire near the Village on Turnpike.
Nov. 25, 1866, Washington Hall and Block.
Dec. 3, 1869, Brick Block, Mousam House, stables, Junkins' store.
Apr. 10, 1870, Old Academy, Dane St.
Aug. 17, 1867, old building near Ferguson's shop.
Sept. 3, 1868, house corner Green and Elm Sts.
Sept. 27, 1878, John Roberts' barn, Fletcher Farm.
Apr. 30, 1881, Dr. Ross store and Sargent buildings.
Nov. 13, 1887, old factory barn, Water St.
Jan. 3, 1883, blacksmith shop corner Main and Fletcher Sts.
March 27, 1884, Picker Building (Paint Shop, Leatheroid) near Ferguson's.
Dec. 10, 1884, Old Boarding House, Brown St.
July 9, 1885, Waterproof Building, Leatherboard, by lightning. Feb. 5, 1886, S. F. Fairfield's house, was once schoolhouse. June 27, 1894, Edwin Parsons' barn, Fletcher Farm.
Dec. 6, 1888, Ferguson's Sash, Blind, Door and Planing Mill. Dec. 6, 1888, Saw Mill eastern end of Lower Dam.
March 5, 1895, Sargent Ross Block, Main and Grove Sts.
May 3, 1903, Shoe Shop, Grist Mill, Colvin Mill and others.
Jan. 4, 1906, Leatheroid Island Mill.
July 11, 1912, Leatherboard and Leatheroid Storehouse near Boiler House.
March, 1919, Knights of Pythias Block, third story.
Jan. 30, 1920, Unitarian Parsonage.
March 1, 1920, Rag Stock house, Leatheroid.
March 19, 1920, Town Hall.
March 8, 1923, Frost Store, eastern end of Triangle.
July 5, 1931, Bonnie Doon, Landing.
Aug. 16, 1931, First floor, Kimball Shoe Shop.
Aug. 6, 1933, Farm Buildings, Day and Titcomb, Alewive.
Oct. 28, 1933, Kimball Shoe Shop, office and stock houses.
76
THE VILLAGE OF
The statement that lightning never strikes twice in the same spot does not hold good in regard to fires in Kennebunk Village. Some of its most destructive fires have been on the site of build- ings previously burned.
The first mill and other buildings built in 1670 were destroyed by the Indians in 1688. History does not say but probably by fire.
The first serious fire in the Village was Aug. 3, 1824. It origi- nated in the barn of John H. Bartlett on or near the present barn of Dr. E. S. Hawkes. It burned the barn and house of Bartlett and on the west side the house of Palmer Walker. On the east side the three-story warehouse and cabinet maker's shop of Dan'l Hodsdon. The inside of the brick store of John U. Parsons and Co., then occupied by Greenough and Bodwell, leaving the brick walls in fair condition. A store between the block and Fletcher Street (its history not known) but then occupied by Owen Burn- ham, and the blacksmith shop of Elisha Chadbourne on Fletcher Street. The sites of their buildings were rebuilt and have been described.
Dec. 3, 1869, this corner was again swept by fire. It started in a small building back of the Junkins warehouse and that and the large Mousam House stable on Fletcher Street, the Mousam House and the Brick Block were destroyed and this time the brick walls crumbled. The description of Main Street, 1930, gives an account of what was rebuilt. A blacksmith shop was removed to the east corner and occupied by Jacob Stuart. This was destroyed by fire, Jan. 3, 1883.
The burning of Washington Hall and Block, Nov. 25, 1866, re- sulted in the building of the Town Hall in 1867-8. March 19, 1920, this building was also burned.
Nov. 8-9, 1841, the Mayall Mill of the Mousam Manf. Co. at the eastern end of the Lower Dam was burned. A Saw Mill on the same site was burned Dec. 6, 1888.
Apr. 30, 1882, Dr. Ross' Apothecary Store and the Sargent buildings, formerly the Michael Wise store, were followed by the building in 1881-2 of the Sargent Ross Block. This also went up . in smoke, March 5, 1895.
The Cotton Mill of the Mousam Manf. Co. burned April. 5, 1850. The Picker building of the Shoe String Co., then a Leather- oid Paint Shop near the same site, was burned March 27, 1884.
June 10, 1858, three stores, carpenter's shop and hall on the west end of the Triangle were burned and part of that site was burned at the Shoe Shop fire May 3, 1903.
There have been two barns burned on the Parson Fletcher
77
KENNEBUNK, MAINE
farm, that of John Roberts, Sept. 27, 1878, and that of Edwin Parsons, June 27, 1894.
The Shoe Shop fire of May 3, 1903, was the hottest and most destructive of recent years. The large four-story shop with two large wings and tower, the Grist Mill, Colvin Mill and annex, the Old .Corner Grocery store, Coal office, Lunge and Meserve block, and nearly all of Dresser's store. Main Street of 1930 and the chapter on Manufacturing tell what is there now.
ACCIDENTS, TRAGEDIES AND SUDDEN DEATHS
John Mitchell ("Hooker") lost both arms while firing a salute in New Orleans, 1847.
Miss Elizabeth G. Bourne died on Mt. Washington, Sept. 14, 1855.
Dr. Chas. M. Sweat poisoned by his wife, Sept. 23, 1866.
Edwin C. Frost dropped dead on the street, Nov. 21, 1867.
Capt. Wm. Williams killed in vessel, Kennebunkport, Nov. 22, 1869.
Jim Goodwin froze to death in snow storm, Jan. 17, 1867.
Jesse Webster killed by cannon, July 4, 1876.
George E. Goodwin burned to death, Ferguson's, Dec. 6, 1888. Capt. Wm. Symonds, wife and daughter drowned, Oct. 14, 1874. Capt. Moody's two boys drowned in Pacific Ocean, May 10, 1877. Wm. C. Storer died from injuries in Planing Mill, Nov. 14, 1882. James Smith killed in Saw Mill, Alewive, June 29, 1889.
Seth Robinson drank wood alcohol, Leatheroid, Jan. 22, 1887.
Wm. Young lay on stick of dynamite, July 7, 1921.
Z. M. Cushman lost eye sight (shot), Sept. 16, 1901. Thomas Knight killed at Depot, May 1, 1903.
Charles Frank Day killed by electric car, July 15, 1923.
Mrs. Myron P. Dickey fell on stairs, killed, Oct. 11, 1908.
Chas. Wm. Roberts killed, wood sawing machine, Dec. 7, 1915. Wm. H. Littlefield killed by electric car, Nov. 14, 1917. Dr. John Haley, suicide, April 21, 1910.
Samuel Sinnott killed by auto, Aug. 14, 1928.
Ernest P. Clark drowned, Sept. 1, 1930.
Joshua Clark killed at car barn, Aug. 9, 1923.
Bark Isadore wrecked on Bald Head Cliff, Nov. 30, 1842.
Capt. Chas. Barry lost at sea, 1850.
Capt. Edward Stone lost at sea, 1867.
Capt. John Barker lost at sea, 1861.
Charles Grey, John Cobby, Daniel Chapman and John Taylor lost at sea.
James Clark started for California about 1850, never heard from.
78
THE VILLAGE OF
ITEMS OF INTEREST
Kennebunk Fire Society organized Feb. 10, 1812.
First Masonic Meeting, Dec. 28, 1812.
York Lodge, A. F. and A. M., chartered March 9, 1813.
President Monroe visited Kennebunk July 14, 1817.
Maine admitted a State March 15, 1820.
Kennebunk Incorporated June 24, 1820.
First Town Meeting, August 14, 1820.
Visit of General Lafayette, June 25, 1825.
First Passenger Train, Portland, Saco and Portsmouth R. R., Feb. 7, 1842.
Last Stage Coach, Portland to Portsmouth, Jan. 28, 1843.
First Passenger Train, B. & M. Extension, March 17, 1873.
First Passenger Train, K'port R. R., June 18, 1883.
First Campmeeting, Kennebunkport, 1832.
First Campmeeting, Old Orchard, 1873.
Mousam Lodge Instituted May 8, 1845.
First Telegram received in Kennebunk, Dec. 28, 1854.
First Regiment to go to the Civil War (the 2nd Maine, in fif- teen cars, school closed), May 15, 1861.
Drill of Home Guards, Kennebunk Depot, Col. Wakefield, July 4, 1861-2.
Gully on Alfred Road near Geo. Perkins', March, 1864.
Trotting horses on the river, one mile measured, Feb., 1861. Hope Cemetery incorporated, 1854.
Mt. Pleasant Burial Association incorporated, 1843.
Lock built in Kennebunk River, 1848. (In use 19 years, 29 ves- sels passed through.)
Gunboat Aroostook launched Nov. 9, 1861.
Ocean King launched (largest vessel built at K'Port) Oct. 26, 1874.
Capt. Wm. Lord, Jr., gave Unitarian Society a clock, three dials in belfry and one in singing seats, 1859.
First Mowing Machine, H. Porter and Henry Jordan, 1854.
First Sewing Machine, 1857.
First Lawn Mower, 1877.
First Street Lights, kerosene lamp, 1872.
Kerosene Oil coming into use, 1860.
First Colorado Potato Bug, 1876.
Ice Storm, Jan. 29, 1886.
First Telephone, L. Office to Colvin Mill, Jan. 18, 1883.
Col. Harriman of N. H., delivers political lecture in Unitarian
Sunday school room, Sept. 7, 1864.
Restaurant, K. Depot, P. S. & P. R. R., 1869.
79
KENNEBUNK, MAINE
Safe Guard Engine bought, 1880.
First Water Pipes and Hydrant from Force Pumps, 1886. First Memorial Day exercises, May 30, 1870. Yellow Day, Sept. 6, 1881. Skating Rink, Nov., 1883.
Factory Woods cut, 1864.
Shoe Shop purchased for Electric Light Plant, Dec. 12, 1893. First Electric Lights on Main Street, Aug. 31, 1894.
Brick for first Town Hall made below Paper Mill, 1876-7. Contract with Mousam Water Co., July 29, 1895. Sewer built, 1910.
Old Home Week, July 30 to Aug. 3, 1907. Society Circus, Aug. 19, 1915.
Scotchman's Brook flowed on Main Street, May 17, 1916. Lafayette Elm deeded to the Town, Jan. 3, 1916. Playground, Dane and Park Street, 1911.
Co. A of Dexter quartered at Leatherboard, May, 1917. Telephone wires placed underground, 1927.
Sanford and Cape Porpoise Street R. R. built, 1898. Extended to York, 1906.
Main Street graded and tarviaed, 1928.
3
KENNEBUNK, MAINE
INDEX
Page
Foreword 2
Chapter I-Centennial Celebration, July 4, 1876. Address of Andrew Walker, "Kennebunk As It Was in 1790" ...
3
Chapter 2-Kennebunk in 1860. Mercantile Directory 9 Chapter 3-Kennebunk in 1930. Some of the Changes Since 1860 24
Chapter 4-Road from Wells.
Bridges over the Mousam
River. Mill Privileges. Freshets 40
Chapter 5-Manufacturing and Mills, 1870-1888. First Dam and Sawmill. Early Mills. Kennebunk Manufac- turing Co. Mousam Mfg. Co. Warp Mill. Hewitt Mill. Colvin Mill. Union Lace Co. Grist Mill. Kennebunk Mill Co. Union Mill Co. 46
Chapter 6-Leatherboard, Leatheroid, Rogers Fibre Co. 53
Chapter 7-Churches and Schools 59
Chapter 8-Old Buildings 65
Chapter
9-Old Houses
70
Chapter 10-Destructive Fires 75 Accidents, Tragedies and Sudden Deaths 77 Items of Interest 78
3
KENNEBUNK, MAINE
INDEX
Page
Foreword 2
Chapter I-Centennial Celebration, July 4, 1876. Address of Andrew Walker, "Kennebunk As It Was in 1790" 3
Chapter 2-Kennebunk in 1860. Mercantile Directory 9
Chapter 3-Kennebunk in 1930. Some of the Changes Since
1860 24
Chapter 4-Road from Wells. Bridges over the Mousam
River. Mill Privileges. Freshets 40
Chapter 5-Manufacturing and Mills, 1870-1888. First Dam and Sawmill. Early Mills. Kennebunk Manufac- turing Co. Mousam Mfg. Co. Warp Mill. Hewitt Mill. Colvin Mill. Union Lace Co. Grist Mill. Kennebunk Mill Co. Union Mill Co. 46
Chapter
6-Leatherboard, Leatheroid, Rogers Fibre Co. ...
53
Chapter 7-Churches and Schools 59
Chapter 8-Old Buildings 65
Chapter 9-Old Houses 70
Chapter 10-Destructive Fires 75 Accidents, Tragedies and Sudden Deaths 77 Items of Interest 78
Getchell.
D!Durrell
J Cobby. J. labby's Fatale!
PORTSMOUTH
1:
!. .. . It liper
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.