Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-08-05
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SQUIRREL ISL AND.
A Glance at the history Of the Island En-.
terprise-A Popular summer Resort
How the People live there-Future
snecfs.

the island, who lived and died there and whose an
cent family mansion still stands, monument OF
the past insignifcance ofthis locality always pre-
diced, with wise forecast, that the island would
one day bear up populous city. His widest
dreams seem to be in fair way to be realized.
This property was purchased in 1870 by several
gentlemen from Lew iston, IIalowell, Gardiner
and Augusta who formed company, which is
now known as the Squirrel Island Association
and which has been regu larly Incorporated by
legislative enactment The island is mostly OF
granite formation, unfit for working, however,
with quarter, perhaps, Of its surface adapted to
cultivation, ard has several groves of spruce and
fir, with sprinklng of hard wood. Its confgu-
ration such that it is excellently adapted to the
building Of summer dwellings, it being hardly
possible to build one that will obsruct the sea or
harbor view ofothers To the north is the safe har-
Dor and beautiful, quiet village Of Boothbay. To
the southwark stretches old ocean-thc sky and
sea meeting and kissing each other, at the farth-
est boundary of the visions range, with here and
| there an island ON the left, conspicuous among
| them that Of mariscove, where were found the
| curious rock inscriptions, within few years
brought to light by the Maine Historical Society
This portion of the island rises from the water
solid mass Of rock, place that is often visited
by residents of the island and temporary sojourn-
ers to witness the dashing Of the waves when lash
ed to fury, Oh to recline upon the smooth surface
of the rocks when the sea is lullcd 10 an easy,
graceful motion. To the cast there is another
magnificent sea view, with Pemaquid and Monhe-
gan standing as grim sentinels at the gateway of
thp nd Of mil
the left are lIodgdons Mills and its vicinity, the
dark wall of the porgy factories looming up this
being one Of the chief and most profitable indus
tries of the place. To the west may be seen
storm lashed SeguiD, the open again, the PIC
turesque point Of Cape Newasin, and the town
Of Southport Ito which town the island belongsb
incoiporation,) less than two miles across SO 1t
may be seen that pure sea air is assured to all
who dwell this beautiful island in the sea.
At other seaside resorts may be found excellent
hotel accommodations, but they arc isolated from
the sea, or hemmcd in by wood or mountain, SO
tn at breath of the "pure and unadu lterated' is
rare indeed three quarters of the air comes from
the heated town or city. But here every breath
is laden with life giving visor and health from the
clean bosom Of the ocean. 1t comes in its origi-
nal purity, without foreign or extlaneous admir-
ture.
After the formation of the Squirrel Island As
ISOLATION, the island which contains l3l acres, was
divided into lots of oAe-fourth Of acre in extent
and shares sold to purchasers for 800 each.
Each lot originally furnished building accommoda-
tions for one but the island has grown ID inpor
lance, three four cottages arc built upon single
lot, and neighbors become more neighborly. Lots
have increased in price from year to year, many
owners selling enough from their original pur
chases TO partially pay the expenses of erecting
their own cottages. One unincumbered lot was
pointed out TO US the other day, for which one
thousand dollars was recently offered. With the
funds obtained from the sale of lots, the Associa-
ton la. been able TO open avenues and build side
walks TO many portions of the island. Three hum
drcd ard sixty rods of sidewalks have been built
under the direction of Mr.. S. S. Reynolds, who
has also built the roads. The association has al
so built whaif, hall for public worship and bowl
ing allev, spring houses and developed the excel
lent springs, eXpending in all the improvements
made some five thousand dollars. Private individ-
uals in the construction ofcottages have expended
more than fifty thousand dollars. All the fanI-
provements. II is not designed to subvert at all
the original design of the purchasers ofthe island,
viz Ito make it community of restful homes
without any of the show or buster or excitement
of hotel life. Therefore no boarding house Or ho-
tel is allowed there, although John Sidney, the
Scandinavian king of the island, Mr.. Freeman
Barker, and perhaps one or two others, furnish at
times hospitality to those who may desire TO spend
few days there. Some fifteen twenty tents
spread their white canvass at this time, the dwell
crs being allowed to remain during their good be-
havior
There are at the present time SO houses the is
land ranging from the humble one-story rough cot
tase, costing two hundred dollars TO the charming
well finished Swiss cottage, built at an expense of
two thousand dollars, quite deliberately, and in some
cases, elegantly furnished. The value OF the cot
tagc depends of course upon the length of the
purse OF the proprietors. There is no uniformity
in siyle and architecture, and tins is refreshing and
restful Of itself, and in keeping with the diversified
scenery Of the entire island. Such men as Presi-
dent Cheney of Bates College, J. II. Hanson, l..
l.. D., Principal Of Waervile Classical Institute,
Rev. s p. Merrill, pastor of the Baptist church in
Wateryille, Hon. Nelson Dingley, Jr., Governor
/
of the State, F l.. Dingley, Esq, of the Lewiston
Journal, Rev. A. L. Park. pastor of the Cong
regational church in Gardiner, Col. Chase of Au-
gusta President of the Association, S S. Brooks,
Esq, S. c. Whitehouse, Esq, and Freeman Bar
ker, Esq, of Augusta, Prof Ballard Of Lewiston,
c. A. White, Esq, of Gardiner, j. II. Leigh, Esq.
of Hallowell, Judge Butler of Hallowel l.. ID.
Emerson, Esq, of West Waterv lille, have summer
homes on the island to which they gladly fee
from respite from tie cankering cares Of life.
The season" lasts generally two months, begin
ming the first of July, and ending the last of Au-
gust, though few families linger to enjoy the
September glories of sky, sea and landscape. This
being the very height Of the season, there are now
probably four hundred persons on the island. 1t
is the very paradise foi children. While the "od
folks" fit back and forth to attend to the demands
of business, that knows but little vacation, here
the children stay, to romp and play and sing
and laugh and eat and sleep. and luxurate
gencrally-the atmosphere being better than al
the cordias invented for the relief oftIed mothers
Supplies for residents are furnished at the store OF
Z. L. kendrick, an oblgng gentleman, who is