(Flyer, Mansion House, 1899)
Luggage Tag, ca. 1910 |
"There were several ways of arriving at Poland Spring. From Washington, Baltimore, or Philadelphia, the trip could be made to Boston via Transfer Steamer. A Pullman would leave Washington, Baltimore, or Philadelphia every P.M., and arrive in Boston the next A.M. to connect with the Poland Spring Express. Ocean trips from New York to Portland left pier 38, East River three times a week. There were through cars from Boston to Portland and Poland Spring every morning and noon by steamer. Trains leaving Boston every evening would connect with the Poland Spring Express in Portland in the morning. There were also two daily trains from Montreal to Danville Junction with connections for the West." (Poland Past and Present, 1795-1970) - |
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"Passengers
from Portland, via the Maine Central and Grand Trunk Railroads to Danville Junction (the
Poland Spring Station), where Poland Spring passengers will find one of the finest
railroad stations in New England, with covered platforms, built by the Maine Central
Railway, with all modern conveniences, for the use of Poland Spring guests."
(Poland Spring Hotels, 1889) "The Boston & Maine R. R. is the
Popular Route to all the Summer Resorts of New Hampshire and Maine. The only direct
route to Wells, Kennebunk & Old Orchard Beaches, and Biddeford Pool. Trains
Leave Boston: For White Mountains and Poland Springs, 8:30 A. M., 12:30 P.M."
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"Guests were met at Danville Junction by Concord & Tally-Ho Coaches for the five mile trip to the hotel. The coaches were handsome English-like breaks with four and six spirited teams. They were made in New England especially for the Rickers. A stop was made at the Spring where attendants brought refreshing glasses of water. From the Spring they were driven up the broad driveway to the Poland Spring House with its fine central tower." "As the guests arrived, they were always met by one of the Ricker Brothers, in the same gracious manner Wentworth extended hospitality over 100 years ago." (Poland Past and Present, 1795-1970) - |
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"...I
fondly remember the lunch boxes that were given to us for our returning home trips.
They were such a treat. The office reported to the Head Waiter the number of guests
leaving that day, and a lunch box for each person was waiting for them as they left the
dining room after breakfast. The boxes were made of a very thin, light wood,
dovetailed and attractively tied. When ready for luncheon on the Pullman car, you
called the porter, who brought a little table which hooked into the wall between the
chairs...On the table we would open the box, and find an attractive napkin, two
sandwiches, a hard boiled egg, a wrapped pickle or olives, and fruit. Also a very
little salt and pepper shaker, which I always wanted to keep. What a treat!"
(Poland Spring Remembered - Recollections of Catherine Lewis Lennihan, 1988) -- |
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"With the advent of the
auto, a new entrance was made at the Poland Spring House to keep the autos from the
carriage entrance. Roads were improved and the hotel was made a part of the 'Ideal Tour
Route.' Added to the other activities were short tours and tours from New York, Boston,
and other parts (Poland Past and Present, 1795-1970) "The first automobile to come to the
famous resort hotel appeared on July 10, 1901, a five-horsepower, one-cylinder De Dion
Bouton owned by Garret A. Hobart Jr., whose father was vice president under William
McKinley. The car was shipped by boat from New York to Portland, then driven to Poland
Spring." |
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Tally-Ho Coach at Poland Spring - |
Stanley Steamer (20 HP Model 78) Mr. and Mrs. F. E. Stanley leaving at The Mansion House assisted by bellman J. H. Neal (1913) |
Early Automobile at Poland Spring |
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The first Aeroplane to arrive at Poland Spring House (Pamphlet, Poland, Maine, 1917) |
Brian Harris 01-February-2004 |