Contributed by Penobscot Marine Museum
Description
In 1888 this prominent three-story building, named Dirigo Hall, replaced a general store on the site that was destroyed by fire.
In about 1905 Valorus A. Simmons' store, on the north side of the St. George River in Searsmont, also burned. Mr. Simmons, who for a time had a business partner named Mr. Paine, moved his business across the river to Dirigo Hall. The large general store was on the first floor, with cold storage in the walkout basement. The store housed the Searsmont Post Office for a number of years. A popular dance hall was on the second floor, and the third floor served as the Masonic Hall.
Henry Buck, a store employee, made calls on customers on his route down Woodsman Mill Road into Montville with his horse and buggy. The next day he delivered the groceries with his two-horse team and buckboard wagon. Fred Miller, another long time employee, was a clerk at the store.
Valorus A. Simmons' wife was Etta (Groves), and they raised a daughter, Alice, in Searsmont.
The store closed sometime around 1938. In later years this building became a chicken house and fell into disrepair. The building was razed during the Searsmont Community Betterment Program of the 1970s.
About This Item
- Title: V.A. Simmons & Co. store, Searsmont, ca. 1910
- Creator: Eastern Illustrating & Publishing Co.
- Creation Date: circa 1910
- Subject Date: circa 1910
- Location: Searsmont, Waldo County, ME
- Media: Glass Plate Negative
- Dimensions: 12.7 cm x 17.8 cm
- Local Code: LB2007.1.103288
- Collection: Eastern Illustrating & Publishing Co.
- Object Type: Image
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For more information about this item, contact:
Penobscot Marine MuseumPO Box 498, 5 Church Street, Searsport, ME 04974
(207) 548-2529
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