LB2007.1.111453

LB2007.1.111453

Eastern Steamship Lines Inc, Belfast wharf, winter, ice, factory in distance, Commercial Street In June, 1856, the new steamboat wharf which had been built by Captain James Miller, and which has since been purchased and enlarged by the Sanford owners, was first used for their steamers. In 1867, during this season, the "Sanford" owners purchased Miller's Wharf, which they enlarged, and added passenger and freight depots. In 1882 the name of the Sanford Steamship Company was changed to the Boston and Bangor Steamship Company. In 1888 an outlay of $10,000 was made on steamboat wharf and buildings. The wharf is 460 feet in length, and 165' wide across the outer end. Note: At first there was Simpson's wharf, closer to town. It burned in the 1873 fire and was closed to public use in 1880. This left Millers/Sanford's/Boston and Bangor wharf as the only steamboat connection. The Eastern Steamship Company was founded in 1901 by the Wall Street financier C. W. Morse by consolidating six small New England coastwise lines. The Eastern Steamship Lines wharf was located at the foot of Commercial Street and accommodated the various team ships which serviced coastal Maine and Boston, Massachusetts. Leo Lucky refurbished and opened the building on the pier as a dance hall and roller skating rink in 1949. Due to its deteriorating condition, it was intentionally burned in 1959. To the left of the pier Mathews Brothers sash & blind mill can be seen. The sign on the building reads "MATHEWS BROS BUILDERS FINISH" (builders finish is defined as hardware, such as hinges, locks, catches, etc)