From collection Eastern Illustrating & Publishing Company Collection
Main St., Wiscasset, Me.
Main Street, Wiscasset, Me. c.1920s Main St., Street Scene, Buildings, People, Cars, Stores, Signs [Dr. McTeer Dentist, The Boston Store, Webber's Tavern, Mobil Oil, Slow Keep Right], Gas Pumps, Gas Station, Bridge, Waterway, Sheepscot River [included in the exhibit "Main Streets"] Main Street, Wiscasset, Me. 12K. c.1920s This view shows a still shaded and somewhat sleepy Main Street, Wiscasset. By 1910 wealthy urban visitors were bringing their cars with them on vacation. A few years later a single buggy is seen parked among all the automobiles, some of which undoubtedly belonged to tourists travelling on the Atlantic Highway (Route 1). The sounds and smells of the village began to change along with the businesses on Main Street. Gas stations and garages replaced livery stables and blacksmiths. Hardware stores catered to the new machines as well as older farm equipment. World War I accelerated the popularity of automobiles among working and middle class Americans. In 1920, Maine state business directories listed garages separately, but still listed livery stables. By 1930, the transition from 19th to 20th century transportation was complete. Peggy Konitzky
