The Scarborough Historical Society’s Museum will reopen 8 September 2020 to a limited number of visitors by appointment only. Museum volunteers will be following pandemic procedures.
Masks will be worn by all volunteers while visitors are in the building and are required by visitors to protect other visitors and museum staff.
Visitors must verify that they do not feel sick, are not caring for someone who is sick, and had not been exposed to anyone who tested positive for COVID-19 in the past two weeks.
In addition, museum volunteers will collect data from visitors in order to assist with contact tracing should volunteers or visitors test positive for COVID-19.
If anyone (volunteers or visitors) tests positive for the disease, the museum will close again until the situation is resolved. The SHS Board of Directors will monitor updates from the government and public health authorities for guidance on public safety measures and will adopt measures accordingly.
Appointments should be scheduled 48 hours in advance, and may be scheduled for the museum’s regular hours, which are Tuesday 9 AM – Noon or the 2nd Saturday of the month from 9AM to Noon. Email – ScarboroughHist@gmail.com or call (207) 885-9997 to schedule an appointment.
This is one of our most sought after books we have for early records. When using the Bill Tolman Database and a result says to check 89.9.65 1ST CONGO CH, that is this book. It is a transcript of Baptisms at the First Congregational Church in Scarborough, beginning in 1728 and going until 1842.
Microfilm images of the original document are available at a Family History Center or at a FamilySearch Affiliate Library (Note: The Scarborough Public Library is an Affiliate Library. See: https://scarboroughlibrary.org/research for details.) If you are not in Scarborough, there is a map of FHCs and Affiliate libraries here:
Added:Four Corners – 1950 – The Scarboro High School Yearbook – Archive.Org & Digital Maine. Includes Faculty, “Senior Memories,” 36 senior photos, Underclasses, Activities, Athletics, Advertisements, and more.
Added:Four Corners – 1948 – The Scarboro High School Yearbook – Archive.Org & Digital Maine. Includes Editorials, Faculty, 32 senior photos, School Calendar, Activities, Alumni, Exchanges, Underclasses, Jokes, Athletics, Advertisements, and more.
The Town Reports provide a snapshot looking into the past. I find the Town Clerk’s Report particularly interesting for 1920-1921. The number of deaths reported in 1918 and 1919 were higher than the births. I’m sure that was due to the Spanish Flu pandemic. Happily, the 1921 Report (covers February 16, 1920, through February 15, 1921) showed the shift back where births outnumbered deaths.
The terror of the pandemic had subsided, and the joy of new life was ushering in the Roaring 20s. Births in July and August 1920 included the following:
July 2 To Arthur and Jennie Reed, a daughter, Eleanor.
July 5 To Percy and Gertrude Williams, a daughter, Hazel.
July 16 To Francis H. and Iolina Cloudman, a son, Francis H., Jr.
August 11 To Leroy P. and Verba Harmon, a son, Norman Dennison.
August 15 To Clifford and Dorris Leary, a daughter, Letitia Anzonette.
August 17 To Horace and Minnie Frost, a son, Charles R.
August 20 To Edwin and Irma Meserve, a son, Ralph Edwin.
August 27 To Melville and Florence Darling, a son, Raymond E.
Education
Oak Hill, Dunstan, and Black Point had both a Grammar and a Primary school. Other schools included Blue Point, Beech Ridge, Beech Hill, Libby, North Scarborough, Pine Point, Scottows’ Hill, and, of course, the Scarborough High school. Mr. Heald was the Superintendent of Schools.
The big issue of the time was the creation of a junior-senior high school system. There were three major projects planned for the year.
A new grade school at Dunstan.
The purchase of land at Oak Hill near the high school lot to eventually be used for a new high school building.
The erection of a new high school building when the “unsettled economic conditions” pass, [hopefully within the year].
The high school had 59 students during the winter term, and the Beech Ridge School had 18.[i]
The Poor
There was only one person, Charles P. Clancy, at the poor farm. “Off the farm,” The town provided aid to support Mrs. H. S. Rockwood, C. C. Turner, Mrs. Emily McDermit, and a sick tramp that was boarded by Harry Worster.
Law Enforcement
I found it interesting that there were ten constables in Scarborough in 1920 plus one Police Officer at Prout’s Neck. The Prout’s Neck police officer was a separate assessment item as well.
Road Specials
As the town grew, new roads were necessary. There were eight special road assessments in 1920. They were:
Road special, Harmon’s Corner to Prout’s Neck,
Road special, Collins’ Corner to Gorham line,
Road special, Dover Street, at Pine Point,
Road special, Greenwood Avenue, Morning and Vesper Streets,
Road special, Higgins’ Beach streets,
Road special, Spurwink Road, Black Point Road to Higgins’ Beach Road,
Road special, Marsh Road,
Road special, Wescott Hill,
The list of road specials makes me wonder where some places are. I recall hearing Wescott Hill was where Running Hill Road (in Scarborough) is today, but I wonder what they meant when they said, “Marsh Road.”
[i] The Beech Ridge School is of particular interest currently as the Historical Society is working to restore the school. For more information about the project, please see our Go-Fund-Me page. https://www.gofundme.com/f/SHS-Restore-Beech-Ridge-School
You played baseball at Scarborough High School, class of 2012; four years at Boston College, class of 2016; then was drafted by the Minnesota Twins. Your fifth season has been cut short by coronavirus. Dream come true? I have always wanted to be a professional baseball player.
What is your first baseball memory? Going to the Little League field behind St. Max with my parents and playing for hours.
One of the hallmarks of your professional career has been your ability to play 7 positions. Which two have you not played? Catcher, and centerfield.
Joe Cronin Courtesy Photo
What is your favorite position? Shortstop. It’s also fun to pitch at the pro level.
This versatility is rare. I enjoy all positions and play where needed.
Any position you don’t like? Third base can be stressful, especially with a big right-handed hitter at the plate. I‘ve also caught bullpens. Nothing fun about that.
Let’s talk about your career for the SHS Red Storm. Two games you’re famous for— one where you pitched about ten innings in relief. Junior year, 2011, at Cheverus. I came in to pitch in the 5th inning. The game went 14 innings. I finished. We won 6- 3. Some great clutch defensive plays by Nick Bagley, Greg Viola, and Nick Murphy.
Another career game—against Cheverus again, Western Maine Class A finals at St. Joe’s, Standish. Bottom of 7th. 5-5. Two out. Sam Terry walks. I’m on deck, so I’m going to get a shot. Louie Distasio, big right-hander, pitching for Cheverus. Count 2 -2. Fastball, top of the zone. I hit a line drive, left-center, over the fence, to the right of the big scoreboard.
Emotional? I think I ran around the bases faster than I ever have before!
Difficult high school moment? Lost the state title game vs Messalonskee. Most devastating loss in my baseball career.
You played baseball at Boston College. It was great. I got to play baseball in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC—North Carolina, Duke, et al.) and got a great education.
Why did you succeed in college ball? A lot of reasons. I was given a great opportunity by the coaches right away. Also, I was constantly working trying to improve. I think I had a chip on my shoulder, coming from Maine, competing against players from all over the country.
Senior year BC made a serious run at the College World Series. The most fun I have ever had playing baseball. Talented team: 15 players ended up playing professional baseball, Three current big leaguers. Everything clicked. We played the NCAA regional at Ole Miss, beating the Rebels, Tulane, and Utah. We went to game 3 of the Super Regional against Miami. We made school history.
I went to a few games in that final stretch. You played many positions. Errorless ball your last 60 or 70 chances? Shortstop, third base, first base. No errors in the last 20-30 games that year.
The player after whom the “ice bucket challenge” was named as a BC player? Yes. Peter Frates. Played at BC 2004– 07. The most courageous person I’ve ever known.
Senior year, Game 2 Super Regional v. Miami. MLB draft being held. Pressure? Rain delay during the game. Came across Twitter I had been drafted. Found my Dad, a quick hug, back to the dugout. We won the game. Quite a day!
Give us your minor league resume. Five teams across four levels: Rookie Gulf Coast League Twins, 2016; Single-A Cedar Rapids Kernels, 2017; High-A Ft. Myers Miracle, 2018; and Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts and Pensacola Blue Wahoos of the Southern League, 2018-19.
Other than Mike Bordick and Ryan Flaherty, you have lasted longer in professional baseball as a position player than any position player from Maine. Best memory? Being able to play with players from so many different backgrounds and experiences. Being able to play in so many parts of the country I might never have seen otherwise.
What will you do after your playing career ends? Not sure. Just began an MBA program. I want baseball to continue to be a part of my life.
Rotted sills replaced (Photo by Karlene Osborne – June 2020)
Sills replaced and addition floor laid. (Photo by Karlene Osborne – June 2020)
As you can see in these photos, progress is being made on the schoolhouse. Construction to reinforce the main hall and floor systems along with sill work is underway. Future work includes framing out the rear addition walls and roof structure. Also, doors and windows will be replaced and a brick façade installed on the foundation.
Posted inBeech Ridge School|Comments Off on Beech Ridge School Update (June 2020)
Masks will be worn by all volunteers while visitors are in the building and are required by visitors to protect other visitors and museum staff.
