Scarborough, Maine – Circa 1920
SHS Photo Collection #2014.17.02
By Don Taylor
The Scarborough Historical Society holds many photographs of Scarborough’s early schools. These images preserve not only the buildings but also the students and teachers who formed the heart of those rural communities. This photograph, taken of the “Coal Kiln Corners School,”[i] provides a valuable glimpse into education in early 20th-century Scarborough.
The Photograph
This image shows a group of approximately twenty students posed with their teacher in front of the Coal Kiln Corners Schoolhouse. The building is a modest one-room structure set among tall pine trees.
To the left of the school stands an early automobile, likely an open touring car.
Description
- Image Type: Group photograph (students and teacher), outdoor setting
- Location: Coal Kiln Corners School[i], Scarborough, Maine
- Composition:
- Teacher and older students standing in the rear
- Younger students seated and kneeling in front
- Notable Feature: Early automobile parked to the left of the schoolhouse
Dating the Photograph
Careful analysis of both clothing and the automobile provides a reliable date estimate.
Automobile Evidence
The vehicle appears to be an open touring car, consistent with cars between 1915 and the early 1920s.
Clothing Evidence – Teacher and Older Girls
- High-necked blouses and modest dresses
- Natural waistlines (not dropped)
- Hair worn up or pinned back
Younger Children
- Knee-length dresses, pinafores, and long stockings
- Boys wearing knickers and collared shirts
Interpretation
- Absence of bobbed hairstyles (common after ~1923)
- Prevalence of traditional, high-waisted garments
- Touring automobile typical of the late 1910s to early 1920s
Conclusion
The photograph most likely dates to circa 1918–1922, with a strong probability around 1920.
Identification Effort
At present, the individuals in this photograph have not been identified.
Do you recognize any of these students or the teacher?
Do you have family members who attended Coal Kiln Corners School?
Do you have other photos of Coal Kiln Corners School or its students you would like to share?
Please share your knowledge to help us preserve Scarborough’s history.
Contact:
📧 info@scarboroughhistoricalsociety.org
📞 SHS Phone: 207-885-9997 (leave message)
ENDNOTES
[1] The donor of this photo called it the “Coal Kiln Corners School,” and I used this name in this article. This photo appears to be the same school building as is known as the North Scarboro School. This appears to be an earlier version of the school before it was either rebuilt at the same location or had a major renovation that included a change from two front doors to a single front door with a portico. Also, a change to the windows on the side of the building and electrification in the area.
