“Summer tourists who enter Mount Desert by the way of South-west Harbor are liable to receive very unfavorable impressions of this beautiful island. While approaching the shore, the most charming views are obtained, but after the first salutation their majesties the mountains become shy, and when the steamer reaches the pier they are wholly lost to sight. On landing, an ancient, fish-like smell is found to pervade the air around the dock in the vicinity of the lobster-boiling establishment, while the general aspect of the place is hardly inviting. By crossing the harbor to the Ocean House, the view of the mountains may indeed be regained, yet the prospect from the east side is tame.” - Rambles in Mount Desert With Sketches of Travel on The New-England Coast by B.F. DeCosta, p. 45 - 1871
Description: “Summer tourists who enter Mount Desert by the way of South-west Harbor are liable to receive very unfavorable impressions of this beautiful island. While approaching the shore, the most charming views are obtained, but after the first salutation their majesties the mountains become shy, and when the steamer reaches the pier they are wholly lost to sight. On landing, an ancient, fish-like smell is found to pervade the air around the dock in the vicinity of the lobster-boiling establishment, while the general aspect of the place is hardly inviting. By crossing the harbor to the Ocean House, the view of the mountains may indeed be regained, yet the prospect from the east side is tame.” - Rambles in Mount Desert With Sketches of Travel on The New-England Coast by B.F. DeCosta, p. 45 - 1871 [show more]
Built in 1917 at 329 Main Street by R.M. Norwood Moved across the street to 26 Village Green Way in 1938 Renovated from school building to house fire trucks. Renovated again to house the town offices
Description: Built in 1917 at 329 Main Street by R.M. Norwood Moved across the street to 26 Village Green Way in 1938 Renovated from school building to house fire trucks. Renovated again to house the town offices
The “Masonic Hall was built in 1875 by a stock company formed for the purpose. John D. Lurvey was the builder. The land was purchased from the Freeman family and John T.R. Freeman held the majority of the shares. In 1881 the building was sold to the Masonic lodge and the name of Tremont Hall changed to Masonic Hall. The lodge had the building raised and stores made in the basement with other additions and improvements.” - Traditions and Records of Southwest Harbor and Somesville, Mount Desert Island, Maine by Mrs. Seth S. Thornton p. 151 - 1938. The front entrance was on Main Street. A lobby and auditorium with stage were on that floor. Town meetings and other gatherings were held in the auditorium for many years. The top floor held the lodge hall. The Old Masonic Hall, then known as Tremont Hall, appears in the History of the Southwest Harbor Public Library in 1895. After the dedication of the new (first) Library building the attendees repaired to Tremont Hall for supper. September 1, 1916 - Grace Clark Carroll Clark noted in the Baby Book for her new daughter, Rebecca Carroll Clark, that Rebecca's aunt, Anna Beatrice (Carroll) Kelley, stayed with Rebecca while Grace "went out to hear Fritz Kreisler at the Masonic Hall." Thornton goes on to say that Masonic Hall “was saved during the fire of 1922 by almost superhuman efforts of the young men who fought the flames from the roof until the danger was past.” The Old Masonic Hall burned on January 27, 1939 and a new building was erected in 1940. R.M. Norwood was the builder. “The [Freeman J.] Lurvey building was built as a general store and was conducted by Liston F. Smith for some years. Mr. Smith came to this vicinity some years previous and went over Mount Desert Island with a pedlar’s cart, calling himself “The Live Yankee.” When he settled down to storekeeping this was on his sign and by this cognomen he was known to most of the people. [Later Arther Allen purchased the store. Mr. Smith] moved his goods to one of the stores in the basement of the Masonic Hall where he was in business until failing health forced him to retire.” - “Traditions and Records of Southwest Harbor and Somesville, Mount Desert Island, Maine” by Mrs. Seth S. Thornton, p. 148-149 – 1938 The Hall, built c. 1877 as Tremont Hall, was sold to the Masonic lodge around 1902. The lodge members renamed the building, raised it, and rebuilt the first and second floors to achieve the building shown here. – See the Bar Harbor Times, April 20, 1927, p. 7.
Description: The “Masonic Hall was built in 1875 by a stock company formed for the purpose. John D. Lurvey was the builder. The land was purchased from the Freeman family and John T.R. Freeman held the majority of the shares. In 1881 the building was sold to the Masonic lodge and the name of Tremont Hall changed to Masonic Hall. The lodge had the building raised and stores made in the basement with other additions and improvements.” - Traditions and Records of Southwest Harbor and Somesville, Mount Desert Island, Maine by Mrs. Seth S. Thornton p. 151 - 1938. The front entrance was on Main Street. A lobby and auditorium with stage were on that floor. Town meetings and other gatherings were held in the auditorium for many years. The top floor held the lodge hall. The Old Masonic Hall, then known as Tremont Hall, appears in the History of the Southwest Harbor Public Library in 1895. After the dedication of the new (first) Library building the attendees repaired to Tremont Hall for supper. September 1, 1916 - Grace Clark Carroll Clark noted in the Baby Book for her new daughter, Rebecca Carroll Clark, that Rebecca's aunt, Anna Beatrice (Carroll) Kelley, stayed with Rebecca while Grace "went out to hear Fritz Kreisler at the Masonic Hall." Thornton goes on to say that Masonic Hall “was saved during the fire of 1922 by almost superhuman efforts of the young men who fought the flames from the roof until the danger was past.” The Old Masonic Hall burned on January 27, 1939 and a new building was erected in 1940. R.M. Norwood was the builder. “The [Freeman J.] Lurvey building was built as a general store and was conducted by Liston F. Smith for some years. Mr. Smith came to this vicinity some years previous and went over Mount Desert Island with a pedlar’s cart, calling himself “The Live Yankee.” When he settled down to storekeeping this was on his sign and by this cognomen he was known to most of the people. [Later Arther Allen purchased the store. Mr. Smith] moved his goods to one of the stores in the basement of the Masonic Hall where he was in business until failing health forced him to retire.” - “Traditions and Records of Southwest Harbor and Somesville, Mount Desert Island, Maine” by Mrs. Seth S. Thornton, p. 148-149 – 1938 The Hall, built c. 1877 as Tremont Hall, was sold to the Masonic lodge around 1902. The lodge members renamed the building, raised it, and rebuilt the first and second floors to achieve the building shown here. – See the Bar Harbor Times, April 20, 1927, p. 7. [show more]
In 1973, Audrey and Jeff Berzinis and Bonnie and Tom Sawyer purchased the Southwest Boat Corp. yard and renamed it Southwest Boat Marine Services. It was in complete disrepair. While this reconstruction was going on, many times people would stop by and reminisce about the "good old days." New pilings, piers, buildings and more parking were added. In 1998, the Sawyers' opted out and the yard continues today [2011] with the Berzinis. In 1999, the MDI Community Sailing Center [began] renting dockage, storage, and office space at the site." - "History of Southwest Boat", Southwest Boat Marine Services site, Accessed online 11/04/08; http://www.southwestboat.com/info.html
Description: In 1973, Audrey and Jeff Berzinis and Bonnie and Tom Sawyer purchased the Southwest Boat Corp. yard and renamed it Southwest Boat Marine Services. It was in complete disrepair. While this reconstruction was going on, many times people would stop by and reminisce about the "good old days." New pilings, piers, buildings and more parking were added. In 1998, the Sawyers' opted out and the yard continues today [2011] with the Berzinis. In 1999, the MDI Community Sailing Center [began] renting dockage, storage, and office space at the site." - "History of Southwest Boat", Southwest Boat Marine Services site, Accessed online 11/04/08; http://www.southwestboat.com/info.html [show more]
Built in 1862 at 329 Main Street at the Southwest Harbor Schoolhouse Moved in 1906 to 339 Main Street, purchased by George Harmon and converted in to commercial space and apartments. "In 1906 the new town voted to build a new schoolhouse at the village and raised the sum of $4500 to do so. This sum included the purchase of additional land. The old building stood close to the main road and had but little land surrounding it, and the new one was to be set farther back with a playground in front of it. The old building was sold to George Harmon and moved to the lot south of the school lot where it is now used for stores and apartments. [Now the Harmon Block at 339 Main Street, Map 6 - Lot 93, MHPC #405-0081]
Description: Built in 1862 at 329 Main Street at the Southwest Harbor Schoolhouse Moved in 1906 to 339 Main Street, purchased by George Harmon and converted in to commercial space and apartments. "In 1906 the new town voted to build a new schoolhouse at the village and raised the sum of $4500 to do so. This sum included the purchase of additional land. The old building stood close to the main road and had but little land surrounding it, and the new one was to be set farther back with a playground in front of it. The old building was sold to George Harmon and moved to the lot south of the school lot where it is now used for stores and apartments. [Now the Harmon Block at 339 Main Street, Map 6 - Lot 93, MHPC #405-0081] [show more]