The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-08-28
SOnth FreepOrt.
SOUTH FREEpoRT, Aug. 1877:

SOUTH FREEPORT, Aug. 1872
In all our summer sojournings we have never
happened upon pleasanter place than the one
from which this is written-pleasant from its
truly beautiful surroundings, and doubly pleas
ant from the social character of its inhabi-
tants The only unpleasant aspect to the place
is its deserted ship-yards. Formerly a large
business was done here in ship-building, for
which the place is admirably adapted. Vessels
of seventeen hundred tons burthen and over
have been launched from its ways, giving en-
ployment to hundreds of workmen and making
the place hive of industry. But at the pres
ent time nothing is doing in that line, and the
unoccupied workshops and silent shp-yards
present marked contrast to the life and activ-
ity they once exhibited. When the ship build
ing interest again revives, and let us hope that
time is not far distant, then South Freeport will
undoubtedly resume its wonted animated ap-
pearance.
Freeport possesses mines of wealth in her
vast granite quarries, the stone of which is of
superior quality. one of which ON the borders
OF Yarmouth, is now actively worked, giving
employment to a large number of men. They
are now getting out material for the State
House at Albany N. Y. The stone is dressed
on the ground, taken to Yarmouth Junction,
and transported thence to it's place of destina-
ton by railroad.
Within pistol shot from where we write
there is ledge, easily accessible to tide-water,
containing sufficient material to build half
dozen cities. From what we can learn it will
not be suffered to remain long unimproved-
The quarrying of this ledge would give liveli-
er aspect to the village, and we have not the
least doubt would result in "pocket full of
rocks" to those engaged in the work.
From an exposed point in this ledge we have
an extensive view, both seward and landward.
The former view is particularly attractive, en-
bracing various points of land, including Harps-
wells Neck, and numerous islands, near and
remote, that adorn Casco bay. The drives about
this place are exceedingly pleasant. A few
days since we went out ON picnic, for which
the place is famous, to Staples Point, very
inviting spot, where we can indulge ones taste
in delightful views seward, Or if so disposed,
by taking few steps, can transport himself in
to the very heart, as it were, of the county,
1t is to us the perfection Of scenery where, on
the one hand, we have glimpses of the ocean,
on the other the repose and seclusion of rural
life, and this was what we enjoyed to its fullest
extent on the occasion alluded to. From GER
tain parts of the Point you have limited view
of Portland, portion of the houses on Munjoy,
and of the spires of some of the churches
South Freeport, as you probably well know
is situated at the mouth of the "Harryseekit:'
and when the tide is in We do not know of a
more charming reach of scenery than that to
be obtained from almost every point at the
water-sde. During the running of the Eng
fish steamers to yonr port, they may be seen in
the offing on their way to and from the harbor:
while in every direction we now can see the
glimmering of the white sails of small craft
passing up and down the river or winding
amidst the distant islands.
For the tourist this place offers no public &C
commodations but those who are fortunate as
to have friends here find everything so home
like and genial that they are very apt to put to
a severe test the hospitality of their hosts, who
make their visitors stay so agreeable as to rem
der them wholly insensible to the passage of
time.
By the way, the day we arrived here we
CHANGED to meet with your Uncle Horace, who
arrived at the depot soon after we did. There
was small gathering of men, women and chill
dren, and faint attempt to raise a cheer as he
stepped out of the car and pushed his way with
hand extended through the gathering He
seemed determined, will-he nill-he, to shake
hands with everybody. His Democratic friends
seemed tbs only ones who took an interest in
tba OFF