Ice Storm, Looking east on Main Street, Thomaston, March 1888

Contributed by Thomaston Historical Society

Ice Storm, Looking east on Main Street, Thomaston,  March 1888

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Description

"Early in the month (March) a snowstorm accompanied by gales of hurricane force wrought fearful havoc to shipping all along the coast. On Wednesday the 29th occurred one of the worst sleet storms in the annals of our town’s history.

"Thursday morning the trees were covered with ice, that afternoon the branches began to break down and in the evening the boughs bent nearly to the ground and it was dangerous to walk up and down the street near the trees. This disastrous condition continued through the night all through Friday and Saturday, when late at night came a snowstorm covering the iced branches.

"The loss of fallen branches is estimated at over 30 cords of boughs and limbs. The beautiful maples near Isaac Mathews house are destroyed. The stately Linden trees in front of Capt Wm Burgess’ house are wholly bereft of their former beauty. A thrifty ash tree near the house of Nicholas Lenfest was broken to the ground.

"The large maple, which the late Dr. Ludwig hauled from Beechwoods and set up and watched through his later years, is badly broken and marred.

"Business in town was suspended from Thursday to Monday. Falling branches broke two headstones at the cemetery. Saturday evening a fire was built under the middle tree in front of the Levensaler Block, thawing off the ice and saving the tree from destruction." (taken from an unnamed newspaper account.)

[Notes on above: Isaac Mathews House is located at 383 Main Street; Captain William Burgess House is located at 101 Main Street; Nicholas Lenfest House is located at 31 Dunn Street; Dr. Moses Ludwig House is located at 4 Main Street Mall; and the Levensaler Block, built in 1872, still stands at the SE corner of Main and Knox Streets.]

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About This Item

  • Title: Ice Storm, Looking east on Main Street, Thomaston, March 1888
  • Creation Date: 1888-03-30
  • Subject Date: 1888-03-30
  • Location: Thomaston, Knox County, ME
  • Media: Photographic print
  • Dimensions: 11.5 cm x 20 cm
  • Local Code: PhotographBoxStreets72.4
  • Object Type: Image

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For more information about this item, contact:

Thomaston Historical Society
PO Box 384, Thomaston, ME 04861
(207) 354 2295
Website

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