Nineteenth Century Coastal Maine

Harvesting Hay

After the American Revolution there was a large influx of people into Maine. In 1790, when the first federal census was taken, half of the people in the District of Maine lived west of the Androscoggin River.

Between the end of the Revolution and the time Maine became a state in 1820, almost 200 new towns were founded. Maine’s population in 1820 was nearly 300,000, concentrated along the southern coast. From 1800 to 1850 Maine’s population nearly quadrupled, and until 1830 Maine grew at a rate faster than the national average.

Saw Mill, Belfast East Side

In the years between 1845 and 1896, 19 new states joined the Union, all but two west of the Mississippi. The attraction of the American west and the 1863 completion of the transcontinental railroad affected Maine’s population, which declined in the decade after the Civil War. Between 1850 and 2000, Maine’s population did not even triple.

Outing Brand Sardine Can

In nineteenth century maritime communities occupations revolved around the sea. Some workers built ships and loaded them; some sailed to domestic and foreign destinations. Shipbuilding required carpentersCarpenter ship's carpenter

In merchant sailing days, a petty officer responsible for maintenance of all the ship's boats, spars, masts, hull, and fixed rigging; also responsible for plugging any shot holes with special wooden plugs. The ship's carpenter is often nicknamed 'Chips.' A carpenter or ship's carpenter can work in a shipyard also, building vessels.
, joinersJoiner joinery

, riggersRigging

, sailmakersSailmaker

, and caulkersCaulk caulking, corking

. CoopersCooper

made barrels for carrying trade products, and farmers supplied food for the towns and for the voyage.

Mariners learned their trade through on-board experiences. In midcoast Maine, master mariners commanded vessels for shipowners in New York, Boston, and other large cities. In 1880, Searsport sea captains made up 10% of the merchant vessel masters in the United States.

Fishing, however, occupied more coastal Mainers than any other single pursuit. By 1860, Maine had more full-time commercial fishermen than any other state – 21% of the national total. OffshoreOffshore

In fisheries, fishing conducted futher than 3 miles from land. These generally require larger vessels for overnight passages and work.
fisheries were the primary employer in 32 Maine coast towns. Fishing was supported by canning and smoking operations employing men, women, and children.


Traditional New England homes in Maine’s maritime communities reflected the money earned by master mariners and shipbuilders. Maine captains in the deepwater merchant trade often brought back furniture, fabrics, and artwork from around the world and from larger U.S.cities to furnish their homes. Itinerant artists painted murals, silhouettes, miniatures, and portraits. Ship portraitsShip portrait

were commonly hung in the homes of captains and shipbuilders.

Interior view, Searsport home
Interior view, Searsport home
Inside Parlor


Maritime communities offered their citizens more opportunities to travel as passengers to other states and to foreign countries on packet shipsPacket

. The first steamerSteamer steamboat,steamship

began operation in 1816, opening up the Penobscot and Kennebec Rivers. It was possible to travel easily from Bangor down to Boston and to visit towns in between.

Eastern Steamship Company Brochure and Info


Island Communities

Many islands in Penobscot Bay were sources of granite that was quarried, carved, and shipped by water to large cities. Between 1820 and 1930 granite was the primary industry on Vinalhaven, Maine’s largest island, and Vinalhaven’s year-round population was twice what it is today. Cutters, polishers, and shapers came from throughout the United States and from Britain, Italy, and Scandinavia to work the stone. Dix Island, now uninhabited, had a population of nearly 2,000 people. After 1900, however, use of newer construction materials caused the granite industry to die out. Fishing too was a way of life on the islands of Penobscot Bay, until the decimation of the fish populations. Now, lobstering has taken its place.

Granite Eagles, Vinalhaven
Granite Eagles, Vinalhaven
Vinalhaven Granite Quarry
Vinalhaven Granite Quarry