Main Street, Belfast, Maine 14

Main Street, Belfast, Maine 14

"Main Street, Belfast, Maine 14" "Church and Main Streets with the Customs House and Post Office at the left and the Savings Bank building at the right, prior to 1910." --Earle Shettleworth, 2011 POST OFFICE & CUSTOMS HOUSE (ON THE LEFT): The triangular plot of land bordered by Main Street and Franklin Street was purchased between 1856 and 1857 for the Post Office and Custom House for $5600.00 and construction of the Post Office and Customs House was begun with funds appropriated by the U. S. Congress. The cost of construction was $30,983.26.The building was designed by architect Ammi B. Young of Washington, D.C. and built by Belfast contractor Isaac Allard. It was occupied in 1857, the post office occupying the first floor and the customs office on the second floor. An addition to the rear of the building was completed in 1887 at a cost of nearly $15,000.00. The building was provided with steam heat. An addition to the rear of the building, including the round section at the left rear, was constructed in 1909. The addition may have resulted from increased space required with the advent of Rural Free Delivery in July of 1901. RFD: In 1890, nearly 41 million people - 65 percent of the American population - lived in rural areas. Although many city dwellers had enjoyed free home delivery since 1863, rural citizens had to pick up their mail at the Post Office, leading one farmer to ask: "Why should the cities have fancy mail service and the old colonial system still prevail in the country districts?" ON THE RIGHT ( L TO R ) R. J. Ellingwood, Shoe Repairing (rubber heels while you wait) Stewart Block (lodging) R. E. Rhoades, Jeweler and Phonographs Rep. Knowlton & Grant, Cash Grocers offering meats and country produce Dunton & Morse - Attorneys (upstairs)