peaksportlandme.html

1909 Greenwood Grove on Peak's Island near Portland,Maine was looking for concessions of all kinds,including chutes and a roller coaster.....

The most populated island in the bay, Peaks Island became a popular summer resort in the late 1800's, with numerous hotels, theaters and amusement parks. When World War II arrived most of the southern part of the island was taken over by the U.S. Army as the site of a coastal defense installation.

By the 1890's Peaks Island provided all types of accommodations, entertainments, and other facilities. 16 hotels and inns, and hundreds of cottages were built.... 3 summer theatres and an amusement park were established....dozens of shops and restaurants lined the streets of Forest City...and a dancehall was established at Trefethen. Twelve steamboat lines brought thousands of visitors to Peaks Island daily during the short summer season. The press labeled Peaks Island the "Coney Island of Maine".

In 1880 an amusement park was erected with balloon assentions and the old opera house was converted to the Gem Theatre. Opening night at the Gem was a social event of the season for all of New England.

When the Grand Trunk railroad offered service between Portland and Montreal, thousands of Canadians flocked to Peaks to enjoy summer theatre too.

---- early 1900s. In those days, Peaks Island hosted several grand hotels, roller skating rinks, theaters, and an amusement park. Known as "Coney Island of Maine," Peaks Island was far from an isolated coastal community.

Travelers could book direct boat trips to Peaks from Boston or New York. When they weren't patronizing the many amusements, they could stroll along the crowded wooden boardwalk that looked out over Portland Harbor. Little shops lined the boardwalk, elbowing each other and vying for the tourists' business.

CREDITS:Various Excerpts from 'papers' courtesy of Portland Library