This information is taken directly from a brochure prepared by the Quoddy Maritime Museumin 2001. This brochure, The Eastport Walk-About, which also include maps and pictures is available at the Quoddy Maritime Museum, 70 Washington Street. (NR) denotes listing on National Register of Historic Places. You'll probably want to break this tour into several walks. Suggestions for breaks are given throughout this guide.
In the 1830s, Eastport harbor saw a huge increase in maritime activity. In one day alone there were 30 British vessels in port, carrying such goods as plaster of Paris and grinding stones to exchange for flour, lumber and fish. In 1833 there were more foreign vessels entering Eastport's harbor than all other American ports with the exception of New York. There was also a brisk packet trade with Boston, New York, and the southern ports which was carried on in "coasters," three-, four-, and even five masted schooners, while the foreign trade was characterized by barks, brigs, and the like. Today shipping is handled by the Eastport Port Authority and Federal Marine Terminals at the Estes Head Pier and is primarily wood pulp. |
Booth Fisheries Office Building (NR) 123 Water Street, 1917, Vernacular. This office was built in 1917 and was the headquarters of a sardine factory that operated in the first half of the 20th century in downtown Eastport. It is presently the home of The Quoddy Tides, The Tides Shop, and the Quoddy Tides Foundation Marine Library. |
U.S. Customs House and Post Office (NR) 1 Washington Street, 1890-91, late Italianate. This building and the surrounding sidewalks and grounds took three years to prepare and build, using three different contractors and granite from the Bluehill Granite Co. It presently houses the U.S. Customs (first floor), the U.S. Post Office (second floor), and the U.S. Coast Guard (third floor). [Note: As of October 2004, the U.S. Coast Guard has moved into a new facility on the Breakwater.] Those who remember the weather reports stating from "Eastport to Block Island" should know that the Eastport weather service occupied the quarters on the third floor now occupied by the U.S. Coast Guard. |
Grady Building (NR) 111 Water Street, 1887, Italianate. After the Great fire of 1886, Dr. James Baldwin Grady rebuilt his office building, bigger and grander than before. On the first floor was Simon Frost's grocery store. The second floor was dedicated to Dr. Grady's lavish office with a large reception area flanked by two consulting rooms finished in mahogany and heavy Brussels carpets. Sgt. Murphy of the Signal Service, an early type of weatherman, had a good office on the third floor. From record of Eastport Sentinel, Vol 73 #23, 3 June 1891: Marriage: In Portland, 27 May 1891, by Rev. Bishop Healy, James Baldwin Grady, MD of Eastport to Mary Kennedy Dawson of Boston daughter of the late Brig. Gen. S.K. Dawson. Her father General Samuel Kennedy Dawson, formerly of Eastport, died in Orange, New Jersey, on April 17, 1889. |
Leavitt Block (NR) 107, 109 Water Street, 1887, Italianate. General Samuel Deane Leavitt was a noted insurance salesman, lawyer, wharf owner and the first mayor of Eastport. Shortly after Eastport incorporated as a city in 1893, the city rooms operated from the upper floor of this block. On the first floor was Frederick A.B. Fields' jewelry and watch repair shop. John A. Capen had a grocerey store also on the first floor. From record of Eastport Sentinel, Vol 41 #44, 22 August 1860: Marriage: In Boston, 7 August 1860, Samuel D. Leavitt to Emily C. White. From record of Eastport Sentinel, Vol 63 #39, 24 August 1881: Marriage: In Eastport, 21 August 1881, by Rev. T.G. Moses, Frederick A.B. Field to Annie M. Capen, both of Eastport. |
Trefrey Block (NR) 103 Water Street, 1887, Italianate. Meredith Trefrey was a sail maker who lived in a second floor apartment of this block. He had the Block designed by the noted architect H.N. Black, who also designed the Leavitt and Sharland Blocks. The Western Union Telegraph Company and the jewelers, Forrest and Roche, were on the first floor. From record of Eastport Sentinel, Vol 75 #36, 30 August 1893: Deaths: In Augusta, Maine, 25 August 1893, Meredith Trefry of Eastport, 73 years. |
Sharland Building (NR) 93 Water Street, 1887, Italianate. Henry Sharland was a noted brick mason and operated his business from the building he helped rebuild following the 1886 fire. In the basement of this building was Albert Bishop's grocery store, whose entrance was on the waterside of the building near Leavitt's Wharf. |
M.A. Jackson & Co. (NR) 84 Water Street, a part of the Jackson Block, 1887, Italianate. Millard Jackson ran a fruit and confectionary store on the first floor. He also had a soda fountain, which served warm beverages in the winter and cold beverages in the summer. The oyster cafe on the second floor was accessed by an outside stairway. The main room consisted of ten marble slabs that seated five people each. This building is the present home of Presidential Realty. The second floor still cannot be accessed from inside. |
Jackson Block (NR) 76-80 Water Street, 1887, Italianate. Charles and M.A. Jackson had H.N. Black design, and Calvin Adams build, this two-story three-store block. Shortly after completion, Charles Jackson passed away. Mrs. Charles Jackson carried on his business and operated two stores as confectionery and fruit stores. |
Phillip McMahon (NR) 74 Water Street, 1887, Italianate. McMahon had Mulneaux & Creary, local builders, complete his two-story store. He ran a boot and shoe store on the ground floor. the second floor he had specially designed for Fred A. Gillespie's barbershop. This site and site 11 are the location of the Quoddy Maritime Museum and Craft Shop. |
Eastport, Maine: Easternmost City in the U.S.A.
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