Main Street, Machias, ca. 1920

Contributed by Penobscot Marine Museum

Description

This circa 1920 photo of Main Street in Machias shows a busy downtown. Although the horse-watering trough still stands at the intersection, automobiles dominate the commercial district.

The large building with the mansard roof on the right is the Phoenix Opera House, which had commercial establishments on the ground floor. Its listing in the 1913-1914 Cahn Leighton Official Theatrical Guide reports the second-floor hall had a seating capacity of 430, with 150 seats in the balcony. The Phoenix showed live entertainment as well as motion pictures. On January 23, 1927 the building burned to the ground.

The other buildings along Main Street are an assortment of the many establishments doing business in the community. It has been reported that at one time over 45 stores lined Main Street. The buildings on the left are now gone as far as the Customs House, which became part of the bank.

View/Add Comments


About This Item

  • Title: Main Street, Machias, ca. 1920
  • Creation Date: circa 1920
  • Subject Date: circa 1920
  • Location: Machias, Washington County, ME
  • Media: Glass Negative
  • Dimensions: 12.75 cm x 17.75 cm
  • Local Code: LB2007.1.111551
  • Collection: Eastern Illustrating & Publishing Co.
  • Object Type: Image

Cross Reference Searches

Standardized Subject Headings


For more information about this item, contact:

Penobscot Marine Museum
PO Box 498, 5 Church Street, Searsport, ME 04974
(207) 548-2529
Website

The copyright and related rights status of this item have not been evaluated. Please contact the contributing repository for more information.

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.