Maine Memory Network

Mount Desert Island: Shaped by Nature - Rustication

"… 1880s, the Rodick family still lived on Rodick's Island, now Bar Island, where they raised sheep and spun and wove their own wool."

Mount Desert Island: Shaped by Nature - Beginnings

"There was plenty of timber on the island -- enough, in fact, for them to ship that, too. With the fishery and the trading, men were gone for long…"

Mount Desert Island: Shaped by Nature - Early Years on Mt. Desert Island

"… farmed, fished, dug clams and sold wood to ships which arrived here from distant places. Sawmills, woolen mills and grist mills were built near the…"

Swan's Island: Six miles east of ordinary - Islanders at Work

"1910Swan's Island Historical Society By the 1800s fishing became more profitable than either timbering or farming."

Mount Desert Island: Shaped by Nature - Building Community and Commerce

"The first island ship we know of was the 105-ton Lively, built in 1772 in Somesville, probably by Abraham Somes, only a decade after he settled."

Swan's Island: Six miles east of ordinary - Islanders At Play

"Clyde Torrey, Swan's Island, ca. 1970Swan's Island Historical Society Music Music was and is part of the island fabric."

Swan's Island: Six miles east of ordinary - Island Postmistresses

"Small. POSTOFFICES First Island PostmistressSwan's Island Historical Society For some fifty years after the settlement of this town there was…"

Swan's Island: Six miles east of ordinary - Baird's Quarry history

"1900Swan's Island Historical Society Although some returned to their home countries or moved on to other jobs, some stayed, married, and are the…"

Mount Desert Island: Shaped by Nature - Arriving in Bar Harbor

"… and from this port.” City of Richmond steam ship, ca. 1882Maine Historical Society In 1884, a railroad extension from Bangor through…"

Mount Desert Island: Shaped by Nature - The Granite and Ice Industries

"… onto boats in the deep water of Somes Sound and shipped to cities along the Atlantic Coast.Mount Desert Island Historical Society Eventually…"

Swan's Island: Six miles east of ordinary - Welcome to Swan's Island!

"… Swan's Island! Burnt Coat Harbor X Swan's Island, a six mile ferry ride out of Bass Harbor in Mount Desert Island, is the current home of…"

Mount Desert Island: Shaped by Nature - The Bryants and Rockefellers: Two Seal Harbor Families

"These families' actions on the Cranberry Islands were vital pieces in the success of Mt. Desert Island and the mainland."

Swan's Island: Six miles east of ordinary - III. Boom, bustle, bust: The Steamboat Years to WWII

"Spurling's Store, Swan's Island, ca. 1925Swan's Island Historical Society Island stores received regular supplies from the mainland, and as many as…"

Swan's Island: Six miles east of ordinary - Summer Pleasures

"1918Swan's Island Historical Society During most of Swan’s Island history, summer recreation occurred on or near the water, where one could enjoy…"

Swan's Island: Six miles east of ordinary - Sports

"Swan's Island softball team, 1958Swan's Island Historical Society Swan's Island softball team, ca."

Swan's Island: Six miles east of ordinary - V. Changing times: the Swan’s Island Ferry

"… under construction, Swan's Island, 2011Swan's Island Historical Society The identity of Swan’s Island and its residents, both native-born and…"

Swan's Island: Six miles east of ordinary - Dance

"Randal White was one of many islanders to have music lessons. Mrs. Elizabeth Stanley Heming, wife of an island minister, was his music teacher."

Mount Desert Island: Shaped by Nature - Guiding Services for Sport Hunters

"… canoes, in which he will take parties to several Islands in the bay and around Mount Desert Island. Carrying sporting parties to places where…"

Swan's Island: Six miles east of ordinary - Winter Fun

"… at the Quarry Pond, Swan's Island, 1949Swan's Island Historical Society Goose Pond is in the interior part of the island and there is the Quarry…"

Swan's Island: Six miles east of ordinary - Stores

"Beatrice Stockbridge, Swan's Island, ca. 1950Swan's Island Historical Society Stock for the stores would arrive by boat."

Swan's Island: Six miles east of ordinary - Farming

"Theo & Etta Buswell with sheep, Swan's Island, ca. 1935Swan's Island Historical Society Once the timbering diminished and the waters around Swan’s…"

Mount Desert Island: Shaped by Nature - In the beginning, there were the Wabanaki…

"… ago, Wabanakis spotted the first European sailing ships cruising along their seacoast. The Wabanaki or Dawnland People* had lived in Maine for…"

Swan's Island: Six miles east of ordinary - About Us

"Since then the island has banded together to preserve what remains. We have digitized and cataloged photographs, expanded our collection, and…"

Swan's Island: Six miles east of ordinary - Baird's Quarry

"Kids above quarry, Swan's Island, 2011Swan's Island Historical Society A group of Swan's Island students led by 3-5 grade teacher Kim Colbeth have…"