Little River Cottage-Belfast, Maine 402L

Little River Cottage-Belfast, Maine 402L

Little River Cottage-Belfast, Maine. Home on the bay side of Route # 1 at Little River. Small sail boat pulled out on near shore. Center chimney dwelling (originally built as a Cape Cod style house with a second story added later) on the shore with steps to the beach. Swing glider in the large side yard, many ornamental trees. The residence east of the Little River Bridge and on the north side of the Little River outlet into Penobscot Bay was thought to have been built in 1796 by James Nesmith. Nesmith operated a tidewater grist mill halfway between the present Route 1 bridge and the Belfast Water District pumping station. The store was sold to Capt. Samuel Bird in 1801. He used the building as a dwelling house. Capt. Bird was the grandfather of Mr. James C. Durham of Belfast and the property remained in the family for many years. Other owners have included Dr. Arthur Hartley who purchased the dwelling in 1924 and converted it to a two story dwelling; Willis C. Trainor, William Butler, Mr. & Mrs. Ernest Bell and Snelling Robinson (Robinson remodeled the interior and landscaped the grounds of the building when it was the Little River Inn), Mr. & Mrs. Winston Farris. The Little River house was a favorite subject on postcards both as a one story, and later as a two story house. In May 1970, the Farris's reopened the "Little River Inn" and operated it for a short time. It was later owned by Dr. Andrew and Mrs. Judith Gay. Samuel Bird, Sr. had sold the James Nesmith land and store to his brother, Andrew. Andrew died in 1804 leaving, as his heirs, his brothers and sisters. Samuel Bird Jr. never got deeds from his own brothers and sisters and after many years, will and title complications, the house finally became the property of Edwin Darius Bird. The Bird family owned land in both Belfast & Northport at Little River.