Belfast in Waldo County, Maine — The American Northeast (New England)
The Oldest Manufacturer / Le plus ancien fabricant
Belfast, Maine
— The Museum in the Streets —
Photographed By James True, September 1, 2012
1. The Oldest Manufacturer Marker
Mathews Brothers Company, started in 1854 by Spencer Mathews and his two brothers, is the oldest manufacturing company in Belfast. After fire destroyed the original factory in 1873 (panel #24), the company reopened just 70 days later on this site. The mill produced doors, windows, and sashes, as well as custom ordered mouldings and trim, for a wide variety of customers. In 1899, after the deaths of the brothers, female members of the family took charge, making it the largest business owned and operated by women in Maine. The mill moved to a former shoe factory south of town in 1988 and the old building was removed in 1997. Mathews Brothers workers (photo c. 1890) pose for the camera before returning to their saws and planers.
Erected 2004 by The Museum in the Streets®. (Marker Number 27.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the The Museum in the Streets®: Belfast, Maine series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1854.
Location. 44°
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Broiler Capital of the World / Capitale du poulet rôti (here, next to this marker); On this site (a few steps from this marker); Five-Masted Beauty / Une beauté à cinq mâts (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); A Benevolent Bequest / Un legs généreux (about 700 feet away); Regal Passenger Steamer / Un paquebot à vapeur majestueux (about 700 feet away); The Finest and the Fastest / Le plus rapides et les plus racés (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Great Conflagration / La grande conflagration (approx. 0.2 miles away); Captain Albert W. Stevens / Le Capitaine Albert W. Stevens (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Belfast.
More about this marker. Marker #27 (of 30) in "The Museum in the Streets". The text on the Marker is in English, followed by a French translation.
Photographed By James True, May 29, 2012
2. The Oldest Manufacturer Marker
Photographed By James True, May 29, 2012
3. The Oldest Manufacturer Marker
Photographed By James True, September 1, 2012
4. The Oldest Manufacturer Marker
Two markers side by side...Marker 27 (The Oldest Manufacturer) is on the left. Marker 28 (Broiler Capital of the World) is on the right.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 2, 2021. It was originally submitted on September 16, 2012, by James True of Newark, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 518 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 16, 2012, by James True of Newark, New Jersey. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Transcription of the French text • Can you help?
