Harbor from Phoenix House

Harbor from Phoenix House

Harbor from Phoenix House This is a view of the harbor and waterfront from High Street. The brick building (partial view) seen on the left is the Phoenix House Hotel and stable (located where present day MacLeod's Furniture is located).The Belfast & Moosehead Lake railroad yard can be seen at the foot of the hill. One of the small steamers which served Belfast can be seen tied up at the Lewis Wharf. To the left the stern of a schooner can be seen tied up at the Railroad Wharf. The harbor and the East Side can be seen in the distance. PHEONIX HOUSE The Phoenix House, opposite the North Church, on High Street between Market and Bridge streets was built for a store in 1816, by Ralph C. Johnson. It was opened as a hotel, July 27, 1837, by Ebenezer W. Hilton, being then only two stories high. In 1857, a third story was added, the walls enclosed in brick, and other improvements made by Josiah N. White, who became the owner in 1850. For a short time after the latter year, it was called the Belfast Hotel. Mr. Hilton died from the effects of an accidental gun-shot wound, in 1838. Thomas W. Lothrop succeeded him as landlord, followed by Daniel Ring, in 1844; by James 31. Torrey, in 1845; by Martin Cross, in 1848; by Josiah N. White, in 1850; and afterwards by Jesse Black, Joel F. Berry, Nathaniel W. Holmes, Josiah N. White, and Roscoe H. Mitchell. The premises were purchased by the latter in 1874. From 1875 to 1878, R. H. Mitchell conducted it. He was succeeded by A. M. and J. C. Robbins, Jr., who continued as proprietors until 1883; the landlords after that year were: J. C. Robbins, to 1886; Charles A. Ellis, to 1890; and Frank E. Nash, the same year. In 1891, Leonard L. Gentner became the owner and landlord. For a short time, in 1889, the name of the house was "The Belfast Tavern." The hotel stood where MacLeod's parking lot is currently and the attached stable was where the furniture store is now. The stable was Shute & Shorey's Garage before it was MacLeod's. In 1904, Sherriff Amos Carleton searched the Phoenix House in a tactful and thorough manner and confiscated six barrels of beer, ale, whiskey, rum and brandy. The proprietor, W. S. Edminster was found guilty, fined $100 plus court costs and sentenced to 60 days in jail. He appealed the jail term and went back to business (Prohibition laws were enacted in Maine in 1846 and continued on and off until the repeal of federal prohibition in 1933). The Phoenix House was destroyed by fire, rebuilt and finally razed in 1943