| OLD WINTERPORT COMMERCIAL HOUSE CIRCA 1945-1950 |
The town of Winterport lies on the west bank of the Penobscot River (a salt water
river), 10 miles from the city of Bangor. It was a part of the old town of Frankfort
and became a separate town in March 1860 just before the Civil War.
The Old Winterport Commercial House continues in the tradition of the original
Commercial House, as it was known when it opened in 1834. Originally this building
was a stopping point on the stage line from Belfast to Bangor and it served the
traveling public who came here by boat. It was also the scene of the celebration of
incorporation when Winterport became a town in March of 1860.
A survey of the river was made in 1873 and 1874. Alexander Longfellow, brother of
the poet, was then in the service. His name appears on the old Commercial House
registers and he often was a guest at the house of the Honorable T. Cushing.
The central area of the town including Main Street and portions of several side streets
are considered of such architectural and historic significance that the area has been
named the Winterport Historic District by the U.S. Department of Interior.
Not every small town has incidents of national importance. But twice Frankfort saw
battles on her waterfront. First in 1779 when an American fleet failed to capture
Castine, the British chased the ships up the Penobscot where, in order to escape
capture, they were burned and sunk by the crews. The flagship Warren was scuttled
off Oak Point and is now the object of an intensive search by naval archaeologists.
Again in 1814 the townspeople watched the British come up the river in an attempt to
seize the USS Frigate Adams at Hampden (next town above Winterport.) The militia
from this area was no match for the seasoned British troops put ashore at the Cove.
Tobias Oakman from Frankfort was killed and several others were wounded in the
fray. Captain Morris of the Adams spiked his guns, blew up the ship, and narrowly
escaped being taken prisoner.
The Penobscot River has always had a great influence on the well being of Winterport.
Prior to the coming of the railroad to Bangor in 1855, most freight and travelers came
to the city on vessels sailing up the river. In the winter months before the days of ice
breakers all goods and travelers had to be off-loaded at Frankfort (Winterport) and
transported to Bangor and points north by wagons or sleds. Because the river was ice
bound beyond this point this was a true "winter port" making it an important location.
Many people earned their living in support of the river transportation and ships
were built here. By 1880 140 sailing vessels had been built in the area but this
industry came to an end with the coming of the iron steamship. There was passenger
service via the Boston boats of the Eastern Steamship Co. up until 1935. Today river
traffic consists mostly of oil tankers.
Many businesses have been in town including livery stables, blacksmith shops, one
room schoolhouses, and a corn and flour mill. On Steamboat Avenue there was a
vinegar factory along with cooper shops, fishermen's shacks and the wharf for the
Boston boats.
The Union Meeting House on the terraced slope above Main Street is a fine example of
Gothic Revival architecture and although its function as a church has changed since its
construction in 1833, it still adds dignity and grace to this river town. The bell in the
tower was cast by the firm founded by Paul Revere and bears the marking "Revere
Boston." It is one of only 112 known to still exist of the 400 Revere bells cast between
1792 and 1839 and has been rung on memorable occasions. The clock in the steeple,
with its four faces, was installed in 1861 with funds raised locally by the church
members. It was manufactured by the E. Howard Company of Waltham,
Massachusetts and, like the bell, can be regarded as an authentic antique with its old
and interesting works.
river), 10 miles from the city of Bangor. It was a part of the old town of Frankfort
and became a separate town in March 1860 just before the Civil War.
The Old Winterport Commercial House continues in the tradition of the original
Commercial House, as it was known when it opened in 1834. Originally this building
was a stopping point on the stage line from Belfast to Bangor and it served the
traveling public who came here by boat. It was also the scene of the celebration of
incorporation when Winterport became a town in March of 1860.
A survey of the river was made in 1873 and 1874. Alexander Longfellow, brother of
the poet, was then in the service. His name appears on the old Commercial House
registers and he often was a guest at the house of the Honorable T. Cushing.
The central area of the town including Main Street and portions of several side streets
are considered of such architectural and historic significance that the area has been
named the Winterport Historic District by the U.S. Department of Interior.
Not every small town has incidents of national importance. But twice Frankfort saw
battles on her waterfront. First in 1779 when an American fleet failed to capture
Castine, the British chased the ships up the Penobscot where, in order to escape
capture, they were burned and sunk by the crews. The flagship Warren was scuttled
off Oak Point and is now the object of an intensive search by naval archaeologists.
Again in 1814 the townspeople watched the British come up the river in an attempt to
seize the USS Frigate Adams at Hampden (next town above Winterport.) The militia
from this area was no match for the seasoned British troops put ashore at the Cove.
Tobias Oakman from Frankfort was killed and several others were wounded in the
fray. Captain Morris of the Adams spiked his guns, blew up the ship, and narrowly
escaped being taken prisoner.
The Penobscot River has always had a great influence on the well being of Winterport.
Prior to the coming of the railroad to Bangor in 1855, most freight and travelers came
to the city on vessels sailing up the river. In the winter months before the days of ice
breakers all goods and travelers had to be off-loaded at Frankfort (Winterport) and
transported to Bangor and points north by wagons or sleds. Because the river was ice
bound beyond this point this was a true "winter port" making it an important location.
Many people earned their living in support of the river transportation and ships
were built here. By 1880 140 sailing vessels had been built in the area but this
industry came to an end with the coming of the iron steamship. There was passenger
service via the Boston boats of the Eastern Steamship Co. up until 1935. Today river
traffic consists mostly of oil tankers.
Many businesses have been in town including livery stables, blacksmith shops, one
room schoolhouses, and a corn and flour mill. On Steamboat Avenue there was a
vinegar factory along with cooper shops, fishermen's shacks and the wharf for the
Boston boats.
The Union Meeting House on the terraced slope above Main Street is a fine example of
Gothic Revival architecture and although its function as a church has changed since its
construction in 1833, it still adds dignity and grace to this river town. The bell in the
tower was cast by the firm founded by Paul Revere and bears the marking "Revere
Boston." It is one of only 112 known to still exist of the 400 Revere bells cast between
1792 and 1839 and has been rung on memorable occasions. The clock in the steeple,
with its four faces, was installed in 1861 with funds raised locally by the church
members. It was manufactured by the E. Howard Company of Waltham,
Massachusetts and, like the bell, can be regarded as an authentic antique with its old
and interesting works.
| email: ann@antiquesandreusables.com www.antiquesandreusables.com |
| Pair of Onyx and Marble Lamps with Eagle Motif. 32" Tall $495.00 |
| Assortment of books including old cook books, first editions, books about Maine, etc. |
| Pair of Family Portraits. $895.00 / Pair |
| 114 Main Street, PO Box 589 Winterport, Maine 04496 207-223-5854 after 6 p.m. 207-223-4965 Owners: Ann & Ray Ronco |
| ODD FELLOW'S BUILDING |
MAIN STREET EARLY 1900'S
(ROAD STILL JUST DIRT)
(ROAD STILL JUST DIRT)
MAIN STREET AROUND 1900
(OUR BUILDING ON FAR RIGHT.)
(OUR BUILDING ON FAR RIGHT.)
| RESIDENCE OF CAPT. WALTER McDONOUGH |
OUR PLACE PRE 1907
WINTERPORT MARCHING BAND
| OLD TOWN PHOTO. OUR BUILDING IS ON THE LEFT. |
| 114 Main Street, PO Box 589 Winterport, Maine 04496 207-223-5854 after 6 p.m. 207-223-4965 Owners: Ann & Ray Ronco |
USS BELFAST
Eastern Steamship Co.
Eastern Steamship Co.
Old State Bank
| Pair of Old Lion Statues 20" high, 16" long $225.00 / Pair |
| Art Deco Armoire - Inside Lined with Birds Eye Maple (see picture below) 20" deep, 63" tall, 34" long $845.00 |
| English Metal Fireplace Front 37" high, 30 1/2" wide $425.00 |
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