Deer Isle and Stonington, Maine 1940s
Home movie- Walter V. Mitton shot the Deer Isle causeway; lobster boats and sailboats in harbor; pan of seaside town; miniature village; flowers; Family shots.
For more, see the Everett Foster Collection at Northeast Historic Film
This project was funded by the Hancock County Fund of the Maine Community Foundation. See more video clips of Hancock County at NHF's YouTube playlist Hancock County, Maine: A Century of Moving Images or visit us at oldfilm.org
Deer Isle-Sedgwick Bridge
The Deer-Isle Sedgwick Bridge in Maine connects the town of Sedgwick with Little Deer Isle. Its minimalist design is the last of its kind for suspension bridges in the United States.
Mountain Biking, Little Deer Isle Maine
In this video i do some biking in Little Deer Isle Maine ware my family has a house that we go to during the Summer.
The News From Deer Isle
Cullen and Gavin came to visit their grandparents on Deer Isle and reported the news of their visit.
Ocean Kayaking in the Deer Isle Region of the Maine Coast – Stonington to Isle au Haut
The Maine Island Trail (MIT) is a 375-mile chain of over 180 wild islands along the coast of Maine. In mid-July friends Dundee, Cully, David and I did a three day paddle on the MIT in the Deer Island Region. The Deer Isle Region extends from Stonington south to Isle au Haut and east into Blue Hill Bay. We tented two days on the two acre Steves Island (name by coincidence.)
We put-in at Stonington, Maine at the Old Quarry Ocean Adventure campground. Click the video below for exciting footage of our trip, including a Google Earth map of our MIT route.
Here are some special notes on our trip.
- Over the years, the pronunciation of “Isle au Haut” has drifted considerably. Nowadays, people who have spent time on the island pronounce it “i-la-HO.”
- Dundee was both our Chef and Navigator. He is top-notch in both areas.
- Where are we in the Atlantic? A map and compass are mandatory in these Deer Island waters. Admittedly we had moments where we were questioning the name of the islands we could see in the distance. Certainly, when fog is present (frequently), you either stay on a known island, use your map and compass to get to your next island destination, or back to the mainland.
Disposal of human waste
The Maine Island Trail Association (MITA) requests all island visitors carry off solid human waste and dispose of it safely on the mainland. The Maine Island trail Guide lists several good carry off methods to help you deal with human waste on the Trail. We chose the Crap Wrap method.
Water
We brought our own potable water. The islands we visited had no drinking water - and remember, we were in the ocean.
Day 1 Old Quarry Campground to Steves Island
A 4.6 mile paddle from Old Quarry Ocean Adventures campground to the 2 acre Steves Island where we camped for two nights
Met Randy and son Steve from Lancaster, PA
First come – first camp. Steves Island 2 acres and three sites – ten max
Put-in and Parking at Old Quarry Adventure Campground
90 plus minute paddle from Old Quarry to Steve’s Island.
Dave caught Mackerel
Day 2 Steves Island to Isle au Haut
11 mile paddle was from Steve Island to Harbor Island, where we walked around the Island. We continued our paddle pass Merchant Island, Pell Island, Nathan Island, and entered the waterway of the Isle au Haut Thoroughfare. We had lunch outside the Island Store. We returned to Steves Island the same route. The round trip was close to 5 hours with windy and choppy seas.
Dundee cooked us McNestlers for breakfast.
Paddle to Harbor Island (went ashore), then to Isle au Haunt. Total paddle back to Steves Island was about 5 hours in windy and choppy waters.
Lunch Isle of Haunt at Island Store
Found mussels on Steves Island for a feast and invited Randy and Steve to join us.
We located mussels on Steves Island. A warming here must be made about Red Tide
Day 3 Steves Island to Crotch Island quarry, pass Stonington and takeout at Old Quarry
- 6 mile paddle passed the George Head island sandbar in a whoop-de-doo surfing wave. We visited Crotch Island which was once a world renowned granite quarry. We went up the “crotch” past hills of waste chunks of granite. We saw osprey and eagles. We continued along the shoreline of the town of Stonington with its many wharfs of commercial lobster and fishing operations. Lobster boats have the right of way and we learned this quickly as our final hour coincided when lobster boats returning in mass to sell their day’s work.
With expectations of a rain and wind storm on Wednesday night, we decided to curtail out trip. After a coffee and orange juice, we hada burrito breakfast of pita bread, eggs, cheese and salsa.
Crotch Island and stone quarry. At the turn of the century, Crotch was one of 33 major island quarries along the Maine coast. They provided work for an estimated 10,000 to 15,000 people, creating a boom-town atmosphere in nearby coastal towns. Crotch Island is an active remnant of what once was a dominant industry and colorful part of Maine’s past.
Crotch Island's 450 acres are littered with the rusted relics of its past, and dotted with hills of waste rock, chunks of granite that didn't break right and couldn't be used. A steam-powered Brown hoist crane with a 40-foot boom stands rusting near the V-shaped inlet that gives Crotch Island its name. We saw an osprey nest on a hoist crane.
To learn about my 2010 trip on the Maine Island Trail (MIT) visit Sea kayaking and Camping on the Maine Island Trail: Outdoor Steve’s Blog post of August 2010
The Maine Island Trail Association (MITA)
The Maine Island Trail Association ( MIT is a must membership for any outdoor enthusiast considering an ocean paddle.
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Everyone must do something. I believe I will go outdoors with family and friends
Deer Isle Causeway Seaweed Snow Plow
It was a super high tide today!
Deer Isle July 4th 2010
Fourth of July parade and town-wide cook out on the harbor. A slice of America celebrating its birthday. Please visit hydren.com for more images taken on Deer Isle, Me. over the July 4th weekend.
Beautiful Place #73 Stonington Maine's Largest Lobster Port A Life Worth Finding RV Lifestyle L@@K
via YouTube Capture
Always has been one of my favorite places in Maine . It doesn't have a commercial feel at all and it's a working port . Actually it's Maines Largest Lobster port . As you can tell Maine is my favorite of the New England states by far . This video captures the beauty of Stonington Maine on a beautiful fall day . It is out of the way but its definitely worth the trip .
Follow me as I travel North America in my vintage camper van hunting down beautiful places. Buckle up for the ultimate road trip adventure hosted by yours truly.
If you enjoy my vids please like share and subscribe. Thanks for watching .
Happy birthday, Deer Isle-Sedgwick Bridge!
Hundreds of people readied themselves on either side of the Deer Isle-Sedgwick Bridge to take advantage of an hour's closure to walk or run across. Many stopped to take pictures, and many more said it was the first time they'd been given that opportunity. The 75th anniversary of the bridge's opening was further cause for celebration as the Bridge End Park, complete with new ramp and float system, was also unveiled to the public after close to a year of steady work on the town-owned site.
Since 2008, the state of Maine has spent approximately $35 million on the 1,088 foot suspension bridge and work will continue into the future as needed and necessary.
It is a forever bridge.
Maine (USA)
Terra di confine e di aragoste, di fari e uccelli marini, nebbie e storie di indiani.
FORT KNOX, MAINE - The History Guy visits a Civil War-Era Fort in Penobscot Bay
Located on the west bank of the Penobscot River in Prospect, Maine, in an area known as the Penobscot Narrows, Fort Knox is one of the best-preserved military fortifications on the New England seacoast. The fort has many unique architectural features, as well as a rich history behind its walls.
During the country’s infancy, Maine was repeatedly involved in northeast border disputes with British Canada. In fact, the area between Castine and the rich lumber city of Bangor was invaded and occupied by the British during the American Revolution and the War of 1812. Fort Knox was established in 1844 to protect the Penobscot River Valley against a possible future British naval incursion.
The fort was designed by Chief Engineer Joseph Totten with a number of other engineers serving as superintendents of construction from 1844 - 1869, among them Isaac Ingalls Stevens and Thomas L. Casey. The fort was named for Major General Henry Knox, America's first Secretary of War, who was born in Boston but retired to Thomaston, Maine in 1796. The fort garrisoned its first troops from 1863 to 1866. These troops were mostly volunteers undergoing training before being sent to their active posts, and included members of the celebrated 20th Maine. Troops were also briefly stationed at the fort during the Spanish-American war in 1898, but never saw military action.
Fort Knox is open May 1 - October 31, from 9:00 - sunset. The grounds are open year round for your visiting pleasure.
Good Will Hinckley Video
Landry French construction receives Build Maine Award for restoration of the Charles E. Moody School.
Eggemoggin Reach Storm, Sedgwick & Deer Isle, Maine
A sudden storm cell passed over the Eggemoggin Reach while we were out on the lobster boat. This film shows how calm the water was before the storm reached us, and how things changed drastically as it passed over us.
There are hardly any waves at the beginning of the film. We could hear thunder occasionally and saw lightning just past the bridge ahead of us.
As the storm moves closer, you can see how low the belt of clouds stretched across the reach, and how fast the clouds were moving. Eventually you can see a wake behind the sailboat moored in front of us.
As the cloud bank passed over us the temperature dropped noticeably, then about 30 seconds later the wind began to increase. At that point white caps were everywhere across the reach. As the storm moved past us a break in the cloud cover let the sun shine down on the water below making it look a beautiful green color. The storm seemed to leave as quickly as it came!
The lobster boat was on the mooring during the entire storm, and all of the footage was filmed from the boat. The entire storm (and original film) lasted just over 18 minutes, which I condensed it into this 3 minute video.
Maine Harbor Town, 1940's - Film 5196
Camden Harbour, Maine, New England U.S.A.
Ship building, fishermen's houses, main street of Camden, shopping in gift shops, mill workers, factories, woollen mill, farming on smallholding, sheep, cooking with mother, holiday makers, ships, hotels, camping, swimming, lumber saw mill
Ocean Kayaking in the Deer Isle Region of the Maine Coast – Stonington to Isle au Haut
The Maine Island Trail (MIT) is a 375-mile chain of over 180 wild islands along the coast of Maine. In mid-July friends Dundee, Cully, David and I did a three day paddle on the MIT in the Deer Island Region. The Deer Isle Region extends from Stonington south to Isle au Haut and east into Blue Hill Bay.
We tented two days on the two acre Steves Island (name by coincidence.)
Click the link below for our video and pictures of our 21 plus mile ocean paddle, including our campsite, eating mussels, mackerel, granite quarry, and a Google Earth map of our MIT route.
We put-in at Stonington, Maine at the Old Quarry Ocean Adventure campground. Let me introduce the below short video on our three day itinerary with two nights camping on Steves Island that included an 11 mile roundtrip to the Isle of Haut.
The video starts with use of Google Earth to show the mapping of our trip. There are 65 islands between Stonington and the Isle au Haut of which there are 28 islands permissible for MIT members. Paddling in this area requires a map and compass – as it is very easy to get lost amid the many islands in this area.
· Day 1 was a 4.6 mile paddle from Webb Cover to the 2 acre Steves Island where we camped for two nights.
· Day 2’s 11 mile paddle was from Steve Island to Harbor Island, where we walked around the Island. We continued our paddle pass Merchant Island, Pell Island, Nathan Island, and entered the waterway of the Isle au Haut Thoroughfare. We had lunch outside the Island Store. We returned to Steves Island the same route. The round trip was close to 5 hours with windy and choppy seas.
· Day3’s 6 mile paddle passed the George Head island sandbar in a whoop-de-doo surfing wave. We visited Crotch Island which was once a world renowned granite quarry. We went up the “crotch” past hills of waste chunks of granite. We saw osprey and eagles. We continued along the shoreline of the town of Stonington with its many wharfs of commercial lobster and fishing operations.
for books by OutdoorSteve including more on the MIT.
See for my 2010 MIT trip.
White-Tailed Deer in Eastport, Maine
White-Tailed Deer in Eastport, Maine - filmed by Dan Daley on March 15, 2014. White-tailed deer are generalists and can adapt to a wide variety of habitats. They are herbivores, leisurely grazing on most available plant foods, even lawns in Down East Maine.
Paddling the Deer Isle Region of the Maine Island Trail – Stonington to Isle au Haut
Maine Island Trail – Steve’s Island off Stonington, Maine
• Member MITA
o The Maine Island Trail (MIT) is a 375-mile chain of over 180 wild islands along the coast of Maine. The Maine Island Trail Association ( MIT is a must membership do for any outdoor enthusiast considering an ocean paddle.
o The Deer Isle Region extends from Stonington south to Isle au Haut and east into Blue Hill Bay It is a very active lobstering community. There are 65 islands between Stonington and the Isle au Haut, of which there are 28 islands permissible for MIT members.
o Our four kayak put-in was in Web Cove on Deer Island.
o Three day Itinerary
Our day one itinerary passed Hells Half Acre island, Camp island, Bare island, St Helena, Wreck island with take-out at Steves Island.
Day 2’s paddle was from Steve Island to Harbor Island, were we stopped and walked around the Island, past Merchant Island, Pell Island, Nathan Island, Isle au Haut Thoroughfare, to Isle au Haut for lunch outside the Island Store. We returned to Steves Island the same route. The round trip was around 5 hours with windy and choppy paddling.
Day3’s paddle completed our trip as we left Steves Island, over the George Head island sandbar in a whoop-de-doo slide, past Sand Island to Crotch Island. We went up the “crotch” past hills of waste chunks of granite, osprey and eagles. We paddled past the town of Stonington, and is many wharfs of commercial lobster and fishing operations. Lobster boats have the right of way, and we passed during the time of day when lobster boats were returning with their day’s work. We continually stopped paddling to give way to boats returning with their catch. We did our final take-out at Webb Cove at Old Quarry campground.
o Dundee. Cully and Dave and I put-in at Stonington, Maine on Deer Island. In my 2010 paddle on the Maine Island Trail I emailed the office of the Maine Island Trail Association, and MITA responded answering my questions about island fire permits (there is a telephone number in the MITA online ( and hard copy guidebook); camp site reservations (There is no need for camp reservations on any of the islands - a MITA member has access to all sites on the trail, at any time, unless the guide descriptions indicates otherwise); The Deer Isle overview page of the guide has a list of put-ins available, and we selected Old Quarry Ocean Adventures
• Four friends
• Dundee our Chief Chef and Navigator.
• Disposal of human waste
o Dave’s picture. MITA requests that all island visitors carry off solid human waste and dispose of it safely on the mainland. The Maine Island trail Guide lists several good carry off methods to help you deal with human waste on the Trail. We chose the Crap Wrap method.
• Water
o We brought our own water. We were prepared to gather rain water if necessary. We curtailed our trip one day early due to an upcoming storm, and we had no fresh drinking water issue.
• Day 1 Old Quarry Campground to Steves Island
o Met Randy and son Steve from Lancaster, PA
o First come – first camp. Steves Island 2 acres and three sites – ten max
o Put-in and Parking at Old Quarry Adventure Campground
o 90 plus minute paddle from Old Quarry to Steve’s Island.
o Dave caught Mackerel
• Day 2 Steves Island to Isle au Haut
o Paddle to Harbor Island (stopped), then to Isle au Haunt. About 2 hours in windy and choppy waters.
o Lunch Isle of Haunt at Island Store
o Found muscles on Steves Island for a feast and invited Randy and Steve to join us.
o We located muscles on Steves Island. A warming here must be made about Red Tide
• Day 3 Steves Island to Crotch Island quarry, pass Stonington and takeout at Old Quarry
o With expectations of a rain and wind storm on Wednesday night, we decided to curtail out trip. After a coffee and orange juice, we had burrito breakfast of pita bread, eggs, cheese and salsa
o Crotch Island and stone quarry. At the turn of the century, Crotch was one of 33 major island quarries along the Maine coast. They provided work for an estimated 10,000 to 15,000 people, creating a boom-town atmosphere in nearby coastal towns. Crotch Island is an active remnant of what once was a dominant industry and colorful part of Maine’s past.
o Crotch Island's 450 acres are littered with the rusted relics of its past, and dotted with hills of waste rock, chunks of granite that didn't break right and couldn't be used. A steam-powered Brown hoist crane with a 40-foot boom stands rusting near the V-shaped inlet that gives Crotch Island its name. Our paddle today we saw an osprey nest (picture) on this hoist crane.
Winter In Maine
Winter day crossing the causeway going from Little Deer Isle,ME to Deer Isle/Stonington, ME
Baxter State Park - Maine
Quick drive through Baxter State Park on Park Tote Rd.
DIS Class of 2003
DIS Class of 2003