Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1901-07-03
CASTINGS PRIDE.
Emerson Hall Was Formally Dedi-
Gated Last Week.

Emerson Hall Was Formally Dedi-
Gated Last Week.
Emerson hall, which was built at the
cost OF $4,000 and was given to Castine by
Charles +. Emerson, OF Dixon, ILL.,, was
dedicated last Wednesday with appro-
pirate ceremonies. There was very
large attendance and q great demon
stration.
For many years the municipal business
OF Castine has been transacted in the old
town hall, the age OF which is not exactly
known, but which was originally the
court house at the time that courts were
held there, as early as June, 1870. The
building is old and historic, and contains
much OF the early finish. 1t has been
used as schoolhouse, town house, court
house and church, being occupied during
the past few summers by the Episco-
paliaps. The building is over hundred
years old, and for years it has been the
wish OF the good people OF Castine that
they might have modern building, with
offices for the town officials and suffl-
cient room for entertainments and public
gatherings, which for years have been
necessarily taken to the church.
AT the annual town meeting held in
March, 1900, the matter came before the
residents OF the town for decision by
vote, as to the accepting of the gift OF the
town hall, in an article which reads as
follows:
A.
from Charles +. Emerson, of Dixon, Illinois,
of $4,000 for new town house, subject to the
conditions mentioned in his proposal
The new building is well situated on
Court street, but short distance from
the water front and almost directly across
the road from the old court house, which
has been occupied so long. The building
is an imposing structure. and stands on
the south side OF the street, facing
towards the north. The grounds in front
have been neatly graded and put in fine
condition, and the green lawn now re-
fleets the beauty of the building.
Work was begun ON the foundation
August 20 last, and under the direction
Of the trustees-Messrs. j. n. Gardner,
j. w. Dresser and w. G. Sargent-it has
progressed rapidly, but with the best Of
work. The foundation is good, large rock
and the very best things used and COM
petent masons have had the handling of
the work. The walls are wide and water
proof while the central part OF the build
ing Is well supported by columns of stone,
furnishing the very strongest foundation.
The basement is high, light and cool,
with cement bottom, and the drainage
from the roofs is all carried in pipes
through the basement to the sewer.
This part OF the building will be used for
various purposes and has convenient
entrance from the outside.
Heat will be furnished from two large
furnaces. On the first floor, which is
entered directly from Court street, as one
goes through the large double doors, the
stairs to the hall above wind up grace
fully ON either side, while the entrance
to the basement Is on the right, and a
neat little ticket office and coat room are
on the left. Beyond the stairs on the
left is a large roomy office, which is to be
called the "History ROOM, and will be
devoted to the relics and curios OF
Castine which will be placed there for
preservation. This room when fitted up
will be one of the most interesting
parts OF the hall.
The remainder of the building on that
side is given to a large roomy banquet
hall with wide swinging doors, and IN
the rear are large kitchen and pantry
as well ss serving room, most con-
veniently arranged. A stairway also
gives entrance to the stage on the hoor
above, and also to the basement below
On the opposite side OF the hall are the
various offices, closets and wide airy
hall. These offices viii bs occupied by
the selectmen, clerk, treasurer and large
room at the end OF the hall for the library
and reading room. In here will be found
some 5000 volumes of books, now the
property OF the town. There are TWO
side entrances to this floor besides that at
the front, each model OF convenience.
The floors are all hardwood and neatly
polished, while the walls are plastereo.
A marble tablet on the first landing
OF the stairway reads as follows:
This building erected in. 1901,
Is the gift of
Charles f. Emerson, OF Dixon, iiis''
To the people of Castine
for public uses and for memorial OIL
his father, Henry Emerson,
citizen of the town.
1894 1870.
Emerson ball, named in honor OF
che late Henry Emerson, also .he
founder OF the building, is beautliui
hall. A fine entertainment hall is on tne
second floor, and when ready for occE-
pancy will have few equals. inc man
entrance is directly up from the Iron.
OF the building, with an easy hight OF
stairs on either side of the hall. AT tne
top Of the stairs they verge into one wiue
large entrance to the hall. The nan
Those famous little pills, DeWitt,s LILLE
a audi