Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-01-17

The City Of Gardiner, located on the
Kennebec river, is one OF the most IN
teresting and attractive communities
in the State. 1t is essentially manu-
featuring city, although much resort
ed to during the summer months by
scores of people who come. year after
year, to this charming region. Stu
ated on the west bank Of the river
and on both sides Of the historic Cob
bosseecontee, which flows from num-
berless chains Of ponds into the Ken
nebes river here, it affords unlimited
opportunities for the resorter ana
tourist.
During the past year or so the city
has enjoyed quite a building era
dozens of fine residences and fine
buildings of various kinds having been
erected. At this time there is build
ing a splendid new Post Office struc-
ture which will add much to the at
Effectiveness of the main business
thoroughfare.
AS manufacturing city. its adj
vantages are equalled by few other
New England cities of like size. Be
ing at the head Of deep water naviga-
ton which admits of bringing to the
docks here the largest cargoes OF coal,
lumber and other material carrying
draft Of II or Is feet and having
wharves and docks well fitted for the
unloading of such. Also Gardner Is
blessed with splendid water power
which joins the Kennebec through the
Cobbosseecontee from a considerable
water shed, covering upwards OF aoo
square miles within which are the
Lakes, Cobbosseecontee. Maranacook,
AnnabessacOok, as well as the large
Pleasant, Purgatory and Il score OF
smaller ponds and lakes, all controlled
at their outlets with storage dams,
which admit Of holding back all sur
plus water to be let out as needed our
ing the dry season. Several indus
tries. are located along the line of this
water way, including large mills of the
Ho!lngsworth & Whitney Co, the :.
d. Warren Paper 60. end some small
or enterprises Right in the city one
Of the industries utilizing this water
power was destroyed by fire. recent
~ and X i; understood that the site
Of the factory ard the splendid water
v
river. can bc purchased at a very rea-
soma bic cost. Another important fac
tor in the industrial growth and de-
velopment of Gardiner is the electric
power furnished to manufacturers and
others by the Central Maine Power
Co, Il concern that is one of the larg-
est and best equipped in all New Eng
land, supplying light. heat and power
to dozen of live Maine towns and
cities. Their service is always prompt
and efficient and the rates are most
reasonable, fact duly appreciated
by scores of manufacturing con-
Germs, large and small, that oper-
ate their plants with electric power
provided by this company.
During recent years Gardiner has
become busy center for the shoe
trade, two large plants now being in
active operation--the Hazard factory,
with 1000 employees. the Common
wealth Shoe factory with some 600 or
700 hands. In Gardiner and at South
Gardiner are located some of the larg
est and busiest lumber mills in the
State. the output running from 5000,
900 to 100000 feet of lumber for
each mill. In addition there are cam
ming factories. manufacturers of ma
chinery. automobiles. building ma
terial, beverages, marble and granite.
clothing, carriages and wagons. flour
end feed, leather goods, paper boxes
box shocks. etc. Every encourage
ment is given to those who desire to
locate here for manufacturing pur
poses. and live. progressive Board Of
Trade is a material factor in secur-
ing new industries, municipal i'm
provements. etc.
The transportation facilities here
are unexcelled. both by rail and water.
For freight handling and passenger
services to which the industries are
beholden. first comes the Maine Gem
trail r. r. which has a spur track us
ing a special shifter and connecting
with a majority of the factories and
wholesale concerns of the city and
suburbs. Within a comparatively short
time the railroad has built one of the
finest passenger stations along the
railway system. Next we have the Bos-
ton line Of steamers which gives a daily
service through the summe season and
handles a large amount of freight
promptly and with dispatch. making
the run in about thirteen hours. Dur
ing the summer the line also gives u
daily service to Richmond. Bath and
the islands, which not only affords a
pleasant summer outing but handles
freight, etc. along the line.
For electric service Gardiner is we'll
connected with the surrounding coun-
try. having a direct line to Augusta,
Winthrop and Togus. etc, also to
Lewiston and through to Waterville.
There is also the Kennebec Central