The Gilley and Salisbury plumbing shop was at first built by George H. Gilley on his lot near his home on the Main Road and was used there as a plumber's shop for some years. Then it was moved to its present situation and in 1929 it was moved to the rear of the lot and the show rooms and upstairs living apartment were built. Mr. Gilley's grandson, Wendell H. Gilley, now carried on the business. Gilley Plumbing was a part of the Gilley family for at least three generations. Maud Holmes Gilley ran the business with her son Wendell after the death of her husband, Frank Gilley, in 1920.
Description: The Gilley and Salisbury plumbing shop was at first built by George H. Gilley on his lot near his home on the Main Road and was used there as a plumber's shop for some years. Then it was moved to its present situation and in 1929 it was moved to the rear of the lot and the show rooms and upstairs living apartment were built. Mr. Gilley's grandson, Wendell H. Gilley, now carried on the business. Gilley Plumbing was a part of the Gilley family for at least three generations. Maud Holmes Gilley ran the business with her son Wendell after the death of her husband, Frank Gilley, in 1920. [show more]
The boatshop of Clifton Melbourne Rich. C.M. Rich built the Dory BLB for the Kellams. His sons Robert (Bobby) and Roger also became boat builders, starting their own shops, the Bass Harbor Boat Shop and Rich and Grindle Boatbuilders, respectively.
Description: The boatshop of Clifton Melbourne Rich. C.M. Rich built the Dory BLB for the Kellams. His sons Robert (Bobby) and Roger also became boat builders, starting their own shops, the Bass Harbor Boat Shop and Rich and Grindle Boatbuilders, respectively.
Ronald Dean Rich's boat shop. Ronald was the son of Clifton Melbourne Rich and the brother of Robert "Bobby" Rich and Roger Clifton Rich, all other skilled boat builders.
Description: Ronald Dean Rich's boat shop. Ronald was the son of Clifton Melbourne Rich and the brother of Robert "Bobby" Rich and Roger Clifton Rich, all other skilled boat builders.
Started as a contracting business in 1949, Archie McEachern bought out his uncle Jasper Hutchins in 1957 and transitioned the business to a lumber and hardware supply. The store expanded to multiple locations and was taken over by Archie's son, Les.
Description: Started as a contracting business in 1949, Archie McEachern bought out his uncle Jasper Hutchins in 1957 and transitioned the business to a lumber and hardware supply. The store expanded to multiple locations and was taken over by Archie's son, Les.
In 1936, Nelson Herrick bought 140 acres of land in Tremont and 18 cows and following in his father's footsteps, began dairy farming. When the children got old enough they helped run the milk route and do other chores
Description: In 1936, Nelson Herrick bought 140 acres of land in Tremont and 18 cows and following in his father's footsteps, began dairy farming. When the children got old enough they helped run the milk route and do other chores
John C. Ralph’s Studio has a complicated history. The J.C. Ralph Studio and Store, on Main Street in Southwest Harbor, proclaimed itself, "Eyeglasses and Spectacles - Jeweler and Optician." "Jeweler John C. Ralph moved from Bar Harbor to Southwest Harbor in 1888 to open a jewelry window in J.T.R. Freeman's store. Over the course of his 22-year tenure in Southwest Harbor, this ambitious man established many businesses...As described in the newspaper, Ralph never walked when he could run." -“Mount Desert Island - Somesville, Southwest Harbor, and Northeast Harbor” by Earle G. Shettleworth Jr. and Lydia B. Vandenbergh - Images of America Series, p. 57 – 2001. “John D. Lurvey purchased the lot and built thereon a small building which he used as a storehouse for coffins which he made, as he was a skilled carpenter and cabinet maker. Later this building was used as a public library and was twice moved; once to the northern end of the lot and again to the place now occupied by the Lawton Variety store, where it was used as a drug store, a jeweler’s store, a barber shop and the post office. John C. Ralph kept the post office there and enlarged the building.” - “Traditions and Records of Southwest Harbor and Somesville, Mount Desert Island, Maine” by Mrs. Seth S. Thornton, p. 148 – 1938.
Description: John C. Ralph’s Studio has a complicated history. The J.C. Ralph Studio and Store, on Main Street in Southwest Harbor, proclaimed itself, "Eyeglasses and Spectacles - Jeweler and Optician." "Jeweler John C. Ralph moved from Bar Harbor to Southwest Harbor in 1888 to open a jewelry window in J.T.R. Freeman's store. Over the course of his 22-year tenure in Southwest Harbor, this ambitious man established many businesses...As described in the newspaper, Ralph never walked when he could run." -“Mount Desert Island - Somesville, Southwest Harbor, and Northeast Harbor” by Earle G. Shettleworth Jr. and Lydia B. Vandenbergh - Images of America Series, p. 57 – 2001. “John D. Lurvey purchased the lot and built thereon a small building which he used as a storehouse for coffins which he made, as he was a skilled carpenter and cabinet maker. Later this building was used as a public library and was twice moved; once to the northern end of the lot and again to the place now occupied by the Lawton Variety store, where it was used as a drug store, a jeweler’s store, a barber shop and the post office. John C. Ralph kept the post office there and enlarged the building.” - “Traditions and Records of Southwest Harbor and Somesville, Mount Desert Island, Maine” by Mrs. Seth S. Thornton, p. 148 – 1938. [show more]
After earning an associate's degree from a college in northern Maine, Stanley returned to Southwest Harbor. Not sure what occupation he wanted to pursue, he decided to try to build a boat. So he earned the money he needed to buy wood and other construction materials and, during the winter of 1951-1952, he built a 28-foot lobster boat. The boat turned out well and a local person bought it. This led to orders for other boats. "I've been building (boats) ever since," he said. Stanley learned how to build boats not by apprenticing himself to another boatbuilder but mainly by keenly observing and using boats and by observing the activities of several professional boatbuilders who specialized in the Mt. Desert Island version of the Maine lobster boat.
Description: After earning an associate's degree from a college in northern Maine, Stanley returned to Southwest Harbor. Not sure what occupation he wanted to pursue, he decided to try to build a boat. So he earned the money he needed to buy wood and other construction materials and, during the winter of 1951-1952, he built a 28-foot lobster boat. The boat turned out well and a local person bought it. This led to orders for other boats. "I've been building (boats) ever since," he said. Stanley learned how to build boats not by apprenticing himself to another boatbuilder but mainly by keenly observing and using boats and by observing the activities of several professional boatbuilders who specialized in the Mt. Desert Island version of the Maine lobster boat. [show more]
Description: These images depict businesses that archivists have not yet identified. Please let us know if you know anything about these businesses or the photos.
The title was given by Henry L. Rand when he catalogued the photograph. Clearly visible on Mr. Higgins’ anvil is the distinctive eagle and anchor mark that distinguishes it as a Fisher & Norris Eagle Anvil. Mark Fisher founded the company in Newport, Maine in 1843. The company later moved to New Jersey. Mr. Higgins left hand is on the lever that controls the air coming into the fire. And a bucket of water stands nearby.
Description: The title was given by Henry L. Rand when he catalogued the photograph. Clearly visible on Mr. Higgins’ anvil is the distinctive eagle and anchor mark that distinguishes it as a Fisher & Norris Eagle Anvil. Mark Fisher founded the company in Newport, Maine in 1843. The company later moved to New Jersey. Mr. Higgins left hand is on the lever that controls the air coming into the fire. And a bucket of water stands nearby.
Southwest Harbor School House with Bell tower on the left.
Image, Photograph
Businesses, Store Business
Places, Town
1896 c.
Southwest Harbor
Clark Point Road goes off to the right in the foreground. The Left side of Main Street: J.C. Ralph's Studio is the first whole building visible on the left. One of the old street lights and the wall of the Southwest Harbor Public Library are visible on the far side of the Ralph building. The Right Side of Main Street: The "fountain" sitting in the road in just about at the corner of Clark Point Road, is a horse watering fountain. The white two-story building with the belfry was Southwest Harbor’s first high school before the building was turned ninety degrees and moved to become the Harmon Block at 337 Main Street. Gilley Plumbing, later the Gilley Plumbing Company, is visible beyond the school building.
Southwest Harbor School House with Bell tower on the left.
Item:
5533
Type:
Image, Photograph
Subject:
Businesses, Store Business
Places, Town
Date:
1896 c.
Place:
Southwest Harbor
State:
ME
Description: Clark Point Road goes off to the right in the foreground. The Left side of Main Street: J.C. Ralph's Studio is the first whole building visible on the left. One of the old street lights and the wall of the Southwest Harbor Public Library are visible on the far side of the Ralph building. The Right Side of Main Street: The "fountain" sitting in the road in just about at the corner of Clark Point Road, is a horse watering fountain. The white two-story building with the belfry was Southwest Harbor’s first high school before the building was turned ninety degrees and moved to become the Harmon Block at 337 Main Street. Gilley Plumbing, later the Gilley Plumbing Company, is visible beyond the school building. [show more]
Description: The cars are a 1954 Ford on the left and a 1956 Chevrolet on the right. The building just visible on the far right is the Mobil gas station.