Maine Memory Network

Horse trolley, Portland, ca. 1890

Contributed by: Maine Historical Society Date: circa 1890 Location: Portland Media: Photographic print

Largest horse in Portland, 1909

Contributed by: Maine Historical Society Date: 1909 Location: Portland Media: Photographic print

The Checkley House, Scarborough, 1895

Contributed by: Maine Historical Society Date: circa 1895 Location: Scarborough Client: unknown Architect: John Calvin Stevens

Powering Pejepscot Paper Co.

In 1893, F.C. Whitehouse of Topsham, who owned paper mills in Topsham and Lisbon Falls, began construction of a third mill on the eastern banks of the Androscoggin River five miles north of Topsham. First, he had to build a dam to harness the river's power.

Wired! How Electricity Came to Maine

As early as 1633, entrepreneurs along the Piscataqua River in southern Maine utilized the force of the river to power a sawmill, recognizing the potential of the area's natural power sources, but it was not until the 1890s that technology made widespread electricity a reality -- and even then, consumers had to be urged to use it.

Presque Isle: The Star City - Harvesting Potatoes - Page 2 of 13

"Since horses both pulled the digger and powered the digger mechanism, the horses tired easily. They had to rest frequently or were replaced by…"

Presque Isle: The Star City - Jasper Beckwith Spraying Potatoes, Presque Isle, 1940

"Here is shown a type of sprayer that appears to power the pump off the wheels. View additional information about this item on the Maine Memory…"