Journeys into the Past at UNE

We would very much like to thank Broad Reach Adventures (https://broadreachadventures.com/) for their hospitality and for helping us complete the archaeological portion of this course. A very big thank you to Keith Landry for permission to use his music. You'll find our theme music, "Into the Light (This Lazy River), on Keith's Alonetone site. The full album is available at: https://alonetone.com/keithlandryacoustic/playlists/saco-river-pirate/into-the-light-this-lazy-river. Finally, a huge thanks to Friends of Wood Island Lighthouse (https://woodislandlighthouse.org/) for showing us around the lighthouse. It's an amazing spot and the tour is utterly fantastic.ReferencesBaum, E. (1997). Maine Atlantic Salmon: A National Treasure. Hermon, ME: Atlantic Salmon Unlimited. 224 p.Bouvé, E.W. Plan of Lands of Saco Water Power Co. at Saco & Biddeford, ME 1846. 1846. Map F157. Maine Historical Society, Portland, Maine.Danforth, R. Fire at Marblehead Boatyard, Biddeford, 1965. May 4, 1965. MMN #31103. MacArthur Public Library, Biddeford, York County, Maine. December 3, 2025.Dyer Library / Saco Museum Collection. Salmon Falls Dam (Photograph). c. 1900. Local Code 40; Main Memory Network Item #22681. Saco Museum, Saco, York County, Maine. Accessed November 10, 2025.History of Saco and Biddeford, George Folsom. Maine Historical Society, Portland, Maine.Kelley, J.T., Barber, D.C., Belknap, D.F., FitzGerald, D.M., van Heteren, S., & Dickson, S.M. (2005). Sand budgets at geological, historical and contemporary time scales for a developed beach system, Saco Bay, Maine, USA. Marine Geology, 214(1-3), 117-142. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.margeo.2004.10.027MERC Trash Plant folder, 1970-2009, McArthur Public Library, Newspapers (Misc.)National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries. (2024). Atlantic Salmon: Protected. Retrieved from https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/atlantic-salmon/protectedNieland, J. L., Sheehan, T. F., & Saunders, R. (2015). Assessing demographic effects of dams on diadromous fish: a case study for Atlantic salmon in the Penobscot River, Maine. ICES Journal of Marine Science, 72(8), 2423-2437. https://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsv083Saco River Folder Archive, Saco Falls and Mill Dams, Biddeford-Saco (Photograph). 1912. McArthur Public Library, Biddeford, York County, Maine. Accessed November 5, 2025Saco Water Power Company. Engineering Notebook #1. 1848. McArthur Public Library Collection; Internet Archive Digital Repository. Accessed November 7, 2025Sanborn Map Company. Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from Biddeford, York County, Maine, Sheet 1. 1885. Library of Congress, Digital Sanborn Maps Collection, Washington D.C. Accessed November 5, 2025.Village of Biddeford Maine 1835-1860. 1860. McArthur Public Library, Biddeford, York County, Maine.Walling, H.F. Map of the Villages of Saco and Biddeford York County, Maine. 1851. Maine Historical Society, Portland, Maine.Laws, Carl H. The Saco River Corridor The View from the Valley. Saco River Advisory Committee. MSD 0028/April, 1973, 33828. McArthur Public Library, Biddeford, York County, Maine. Accessed Oct 29, 2025.Woodlot Alternatives, Inc, 54 Cumberland Street Brunswick, Maine 040111. An Analysis Of Potential Impacts To Wetlands, Wildlife, And Visual/Aesthetic Resources (A Component of The) Spring/Bradbury Alternative Fish Passage Study Cataract Hydropower ProjectSaco River, Maine. Central Maine Power Company Environmental & Licensing Department, Edison Drive Augusta, Maine 04336. Nov, 1992. McArthur Public Library, Biddeford, York County, Maine. Accessed Nov 12, 2025.

We would very much like to thank Broad Reach Adventures (https://broadreachadventures.com/) for their hospitality and for helping us complete the archaeological portion of this course. A very big thank you to Keith Landry for permission to use his music. You'll find our theme music, "Into the Light (This Lazy River), on Keith's Alonetone site. The full album is available at: https://alonetone.com/keithlandryacoustic/playlists/saco-river-pirate/into-the-light-this-lazy-river. Finally, a huge thanks to Friends of Wood Island Lighthouse (https://woodislandlighthouse.org/) for showing us around the lighthouse. It's an amazing spot and the tour is utterly fantastic.Sources-Coll. 2715 Biddeford Pool Collection 1927-1982 Maine Historical Society ArchivesFolder 7 Box 1 photographs and Negatives 1891 Maine Historical Society ArchivesNewspaper clippings of Biddeford Pool Maine Historical Society ArchivesHotel Guest Files Folder 5 Box 1 Maine Historical Society ArchivesHand made tapestry of everyone who lived on Biddeford Pool around the 1960’s Graham, S. (2024). Lost Fortunes Rocks A Maine Summer Colony and the Fires of 1947. Kennebunkport, ME: Susan Graham. Southern Maine. (2022). Retrieved from https://www.northamericanforts.com/East/me4.html#saco2.    (This is the military information)

We would very much like to thank Broad Reach Adventures (https://broadreachadventures.com/) for their hospitality and for helping us complete the archaeological portion of this course.  A very big thank you to Keith Landry for permission to use his music. You'll find our theme music, "Into the Light (This Lazy River), on Keith's Alonetone site. The full album is available at: https://alonetone.com/keithlandryacoustic/playlists/saco-river-pirate/into-the-light-this-lazy-river. Finally, a huge thanks to Friends of Wood Island Lighthouse (https://woodislandlighthouse.org/) for showing us around the lighthouse. It's an amazing spot and the tour is utterly fantastic.BibliographyMaine Historical Society Archives, Portland, MaineBook of Notes on the Norwood Family. G N832. William Otis Sawtelle.Deering Lumber Company Records box 1, 1869-2001, Coll 1922, White Pine on the SacoRiverDeering Lumber Company Records box 6, 1869-2001, Coll. 1922, Maine Sawmills – AHistory 1990McArthur Library, Biddeford, MaineBiddeford History - Records and Vital Statistics, Box 002, 1733-1813, COLL 005.001,Town Records, 1741 - 1755, Grants of Land, 002:0003.Biddeford History - Records and Vital Statistics, Box 002, 1733-1813, COLL 005.001,Town Records, 1779, Marriages 1742 - 1780, 002:00076.Lillian Tarbox’s diary, year 1900, S coll. 5595 Misc. Box 12811 1997. 466Nathaniel Tarbox’s diary (1757-1788) 2016 008 ms 999York County Registry of Deeds (https://www.yorkcountymaine.gov/registry-of-deeds)York County Registry of Deeds, 1760-1885 Grantee Mi-Pe Book (Norwood), Document179, pg. 157York County Registry of Deeds, 1760-1885 Grantee Mi-Pe Book (Norwood), Document179, pg. 157York Deeds Book 1, Portland Pub, John T. Hull print co., 1887, pg. 7 & 27

In this third episode of our series, Falling By The Wayside, Kai Watkins, Marissa Carter, Joe Gagnon, and Lily Furtado recount the story of Alonzo Mitchell, the man who built The Wayside, and his family. We learn about his life and career, his pets, and his operation of a shore dinner hall—a complicated story told through an impressive range of sources.IMAGE: Abbie Flood (holding the cat). (Images courtesy of Peter Thomas).References:“A Cruel Act.” The Biddeford Weekly Journal. January 1, 1892, 3. “Abigail Vaughan Lanphere Mitchell Gookin Flood.” Find a Grave. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/167052633/abigail_vaughan_lanphere_gookin_flood“Alonzo C Mitchell.” Find a Grave. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/94452436/alonzo_c_mitchellBehr, Christian J. History of the Augusta, Maine Police Department 1850-2015.https://cms6.revize.com/revize/augustame/document_center/Police%20Department/APD_history _(1).pdfBiddeford, Maine, City Directory.“Biddeford and Saco.” The Biddeford Daily Journal. August 20, 1885, 3.“Biddeford and Saco.” The Biddeford Daily Journal. December 11, 1890, 3.“Biddeford and Saco.” The Biddeford Daily Journal. May 12, 1891, 3.“Biddeford and Saco.” The Biddeford Daily Journal. December 8, 1895, 3.“Biddeford and Saco.” The Biddeford Weekly Journal. November 26, 1909, 8.“Biddeford and Saco.” The Biddeford Weekly Journal. June 10, 1910, 8.“Blacksmiths’ Field Day.” The Biddeford Weekly Journal. September 20, 1912, 8.“Cameo Club.” The Weekly Record. June 2, 1916, 5.“Died [Lorenzo Mitchell].” The Weekly Record. December 2, 1904, 8.“Doughnut Club Has Outing at Mitchell’s.” The Biddeford Daily Journal. February 25, 1918, 6.“Expensive Shooting.” The Biddeford Daily Journal. February 12, 1892, 3.“Five Dollars and Costs.” The Weekly Standard. February 19, 1892, 3.“Home Personals.” The Biddeford Daily Journal. May 5, 1890, 3.“Home Personals.” The Biddeford Weekly Journal. May 9, 1890, 3.“Illness Fatal to Alonzo Mitchel, Ex-Restaurateur.” The Biddeford Daily Journal. June 20, 1946. “In Injunction Proceedings to be Initiated.” The Biddeford Weekly Journal. May 5, 1911, 6. “Inauguration.” The Union and Journal. March 19, 1880, 2.“Injunction Proceedings.” The Biddeford Weekly Journal. May 12, 1911, 2.“Ira E. Hooper Takes a Bride.” The Biddeford Daily Journal. August 10, 1932, 2.“J.J. Neilon Honor Guest.” The Weekly Record. July 14, 1916, 2.“Locals: Biddeford.” The Union Journal. August 15, 1879, 3.“Lorenzo D Mitchell.” Find a Grave. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/167052607/lorenzo_d_mitchellMaine, Biddeford. Copy of an Old Marriage Certificate. Alonzo C. Mitchell and Rose A. Hill, 1903.Maine, Biddeford. Copy of an Old Marriage Certificate. Alonzo C. Mitchell and Sarah V. Sargent, 1881.Maine, Biddeford. Copy of an Old Marriage Certificate. Lorenzo Mitchell and Miriam Lanphar, 1855.Maine, Biddeford. Record of a Death. Lorenzo D. Mitchell, 1904.“Miriam Lanphere Mitchell.” Find a Grave. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/167052598/miriam_mitchellMitchell, Miriam Lanphar. Letter to Alonzo Mitchell dated December 22, 1913. Provided by Peter Thomas.Mitchell, Thomas. Letter to Miriam Mitchell dated August 23rd, 1904. Provided by Peter Thomas.“New Fireman Appointed.” The Biddeford Daily Journal. March 27, 1896, 3. “Notices.” The Biddeford Daily Journal. April 17, 1924.“Odd Fellows Made Big Strings at Banquet Tables.” The Biddeford Daily Journal. May 13, 1916, 6.“Outing is a Big Success.” The Weekly Record. March 17, 1916, 2.“Personal Briefs and Social Items.” The Biddeford Daily Journal. October 30, 1931, 2.“Real Estate Transfers.” The Biddeford Daily Journal. November 11, 1885, 3.“Republican Nominations.” The Biddeford Daily Journal. March 4 and 6, 1893, 2.“Rose A. Mitchell [about her funeral].” The Biddeford Weekly Journal. May 16, 1924, 8.“Rose A. Mitchell [obituary and funeral announcement].” The Biddeford Daily Journal. December 8, 1924.“Salt Fish Degree.” The Weekly Record. November 21, 1912, 1.“Second Hands York Mfg Co. at Mitchell’s.” The Weekly Record. January 10, 1920, 1. “Short Lobster Complaints Lack Proof.” The Biddeford Weekly Journal. May 31, 1918, 6. “South Biddeford.” The Biddeford Daily Journal. April 9, 1886, 3.“Thirty Years Ago.” The Biddeford Daily Journal. December 17, 1953, 20.Thomas, Leslie L. “The Fall of Pompey.” 1980s. Provided by Peter Thomas.“To Determine the Damages.” The Biddeford Weekly Journal. August 16, 1912, 6.“Trull Alumni Hold Annual.” The Weekly Record. July 19, 1919, 6.“Trull Hospital Graduates at Banquet.” The Biddeford Weekly Journal. July 25, 1919, 6. U.S. Census Bureau. Biddeford, York County, Maine, 1860.U.S. Census Bureau. Biddeford, York County, Maine, 1870.U.S. Census Bureau. Biddeford, York County, Maine, 1880.U.S. Census Bureau. Biddeford, York County, Maine, January 5, 1920.U.S. Census Bureau. Biddeford, York County, Maine, 1930.Uncover Human Bones Where The Road Runs.” The Biddeford Weekly Journal. May 4, 1911, 5.Music: Victor Military Band, “Thanks for the Lobster,” by Chick Story and Jack Caddigan, Victor, 1914, Library of Congress.  Accessed December 1, 2024.  

Episode 2 of Falling By The Wayside picks up the story in a period of major transition for the southern Maine coast. The region was largely fueled by farming and fishing. The advent of large textile mills prompted significant movements of population. In our area, it meant that the City of Biddeford itself moved upstream from the mouth of the Saco to the falls several miles upstream. What were those left behind to do? Nascent tourism provided the answer.In this episode, Jake Tobin, Emma Rose Seger, Quinn Hinsley, and Candace Baker tell the story of what happened next…. Bibliography: Biddeford Weekly Journal. “Shore Dinner Enjoyed.”  September 6, 1912. Bouthillette, ER. A Brief History of Biddeford. History Press, 2017. Brown, Dona.  Inventing New England: Regional Tourism in the 19th Century.  SmithsonianInstitution Press, 1995.  Butler, J. Wildfire Loose: The Week Maine Burned. Down East Books, 2014. Downes, Jacques. A Pictorial History of the Cities on the Saco.  The Donning Company, 1985. Moulton House. Advertisement. The Biddeford Record, September 1916. Tatterson, Estelle M. “A Little of Everything.” Biddeford Daily Journal, June 23, 1928. Victor Military Band, “Thanks for the Lobster,” by Chick Story and Jack Caddigan, Victor, 1914, Library of Congress.  Accessed December 1, 2024.  Image: Flood’s Shore Dinner sign and patrons. (Image courtesy of McArthur Library, Biddeford, ME)

Here is the first of four episodes of our course podcast series, Falling By The Wayside.This episode was researched, written, and produced by Olivia Ellis, Lucas Girard and Peyton Stevens. It traces the history of this area from roughly the last ice age to the nineteenth century, giving a sense of how our house fit into the larger history of the area.Before the podcast, professors Arthur Anderson and Eric Zuelow chat about the Time Team New England! course before introducing this episode.Music: “Thanks for the Lobster,” Girl from Bermuda. File courtesy the Library of Congress.Map: Image courtesy of Old Maps Online.            Interviews:Anderson A. 2024. Dewolfe E. 2024.McDonough P. 2024.            Other Sources:Biddeford History & Heritage Project. Engulfed by Nationalism: Revolutionary Biddeford. [accessed 2024 Nov 6]. http://biddeford.mainememory.net/page/1599/display.html.Bouthillette ER. 2017. A Brief History of Biddeford. Arcadia Publishing.Maine Historic Preservation Commission. Prehistoric Archaeology. [accessed 2024 Nov 6]. https://www.maine.gov/mhpc/programs/education/prehistoric-archaeology. Maine History Online. 1668-1774 Settlement & Strife. [accessed 2024 Nov 6]. https://www.mainememory.net/sitebuilder/site/897/page/1308/print.Maine State Museum. First Peoples. [accessed 2024 Nov 20]. https://mainestatemuseum.org/exhibit/regional-struggle/first-peoples/.McArthur Library. 1945. Stories and Legends of Old Biddeford; Part 1. 1600-1747. Biddeford, ME. https://archive.org/details/storieslegendsof00unse/page/n65/mode/2up.York D. 1945. Stories and Legends of Old Biddeford.