Water Street and post office, Augusta, ca. 1938

Contributed by Boston Public Library

Water Street and post office, Augusta, ca. 1938

Purchase a reproduction of this item on VintageMaineImages.com.

Description

For much of Augusta’s history, the central business district was on and near Water Street on the west bank of the Kennebec River. The street, laid out in the late 1700s, was also the location of many of the government buildings. As the city grew and spread out the local government buildings moved further away from the business district.

Many fires damaged this concentrated area, including one significant fire in 1865 that destroyed nearly 100 buildings. In 1890, the first trolley line began operation down Water Street, connecting Augusta with Gardiner and Hallowell to the south. In 1932, the motor buses replaced the trolley line.

With the completion of the Maine Turnpike and Interstate 95 in 1955, local commercial developments began to move away from Water Street and closer to the Interstate. Though since the 1980s there has been a continued effort to revitalize the downtown area.

The Tichnor Brothers printing company published this type of postcard circa 1938 as part of their Maine series. These, and other postcards, by the Tichnor Brothers Company are officially known as the Tichnor Gloss Series because the photographs were notoriously retouched on such a level that does not allow the postcards to be classified as photographs or paintings. The caption reads, "Water Street and post office, Augusta, Maine."

View/Add Comments

About This Item

  • Title: Water Street and post office, Augusta, ca. 1938
  • Creator: Tichnor Bros., Inc.
  • Creation Date: circa 1938
  • Subject Date: circa 1938
  • Location: Augusta, Kennebec County, ME
  • Media: Linen texture postcard
  • Dimensions: 9 cm x 14 cm
  • Collection: The Tichnor Brothers Collection
  • Object Type: Text and Image

Cross Reference Searches

Standardized Subject Headings

For more information about this item, contact:

Boston Public Library
700 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116
(617) 859-2039
Website
In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted More Info

This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. No Permission is required to use the low-resolution watermarked image for educational use, or as allowed by the applicable copyright. For all other uses, permission is required.

How to cite content on this site

Please post your comment below to share with others. If you'd like to privately share a comment or correction with MMN staff, please send us a message with this link.