Maine Memory Network

Thornton Academy Cadet, 1891

Contributed by: Dyer Library/Saco Museum Date: 1891 Location: Biddeford Media: Photographic print

Lincoln Goodale, Thornton Academy, 1891

Contributed by: Dyer Library/Saco Museum Date: 1891 Location: Biddeford Media: Photographic print

Assessor's Record, 15 Cottage Street, Portland, 1924

Owner in 1924: Eve Thornton Use: Garage

79 Anderson Street, Portland, 1924

Owner in 1924: John Thornton Style: Colonial Revival Use: Dwelling - Single family

Port of Portland's Custom House and Collectors of Customs

The collector of Portland was the key to federal patronage in Maine, though other ports and towns had collectors. Through the 19th century, the revenue was the major source of Federal Government income. As in Colonial times, the person appointed to head the custom House in Casco Bay was almost always a leading community figure, or a well-connected political personage.

Wired! How Electricity Came to Maine

As early as 1633, entrepreneurs along the Piscataqua River in southern Maine utilized the force of the river to power a sawmill, recognizing the potential of the area's natural power sources, but it was not until the 1890s that technology made widespread electricity a reality -- and even then, consumers had to be urged to use it.

Farmington: Franklin County's Shiretown - Brief History

"… director.” (Music and Musicians on Maine, George Thornton Edwards) Belcher’s impact on Farmington’s role as a cultural center in Maine is…"

Farmington: Franklin County's Shiretown - Education

"Thornton a grammar and a spelling book Year 1844 X Ad from the Franklin Journal The Eagle Variety Store's Ad for School books and supplies 1875…"

Annette Addorio: 100+ years of memories from full life
by Biddeford Cultural & Heritage Center

From 1914 to 2018, highlights from my life in Biddeford

Spiros Droggitis: From Biddeford to Washington DC and back
by Biddeford Cultural & Heritage Center

A Greek family's impact: from the iconic Wonderbar Restaurant to Washington DC