Fort Kent in Aroostook County, Maine — The American Northeast (New England)
Rail Fuels Growth, Cultural Change
Le chemin de fer contribue à la croissance économique et aux changements culturels
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 1, 2019
1. Rail Fuels Growth, Cultural Change Marker
1902: The arrival of the Bangor and Aroostook in Fort Kent marked a time of rapid economic growth. Potatoes, hay, lumber, and people were able to move efficiently south. Now, this remote French-speaking Valley with its close Canadian connections would experience increased influence from English-speaking American markets and trade.
Fort Kent's waiting room once bustled with passengers — soldiers going off to war, students away to seminary, young people heading south in search of factory jobs, even elected officials headed to Augusta. The station, retired in 1979, serves the Valley as the Fort Kent Historical Society Museum.
Did You Know?
You can visit the Bangor & Aroostook’s 1910 water tower at nearby Frenchville Historical Society. And the unique railroad turntable at St. Francis Historical Society.
Voices of the Valley
”Everyone wanted to work for (the railroad). It was the highest paying job around but you worked long hours.”
—Hermel Martin, St. Francis
L'arrivée
this page online
La salle d'attente de la gare de Fort Kent en pleine agitation : les passagers sont peut-être des soldats en route pour le front, des étudiants rejoignant leur séminaire, des jeunes en quête de travail dans les manufactures du sud de l'état ou des représentants politiques se rendant à Augusta. Désaffectée en 1979, la gare est devenue le musée de la Société historique de Fort Kent.
Le Saviez-vous ?
On peut visiter la tour d'eau de la Bangor & Aroostook datant de 1910 tout près d'ici à la Société historique de Frenchville. Et la plaque tournante pour locomotives à la Société historique de St. Francis.
Voix de la Vallée
« Tous voulaient travailler pour le chemin de fer. C'était les emplois les mieux payés de la région mais il fallait travailler de longues heures ».
—Hermel Martin, St. Francis
Erected
2. Marker detail: Rail Service /
Le Service de Chemin
Le Service de Chemin
When rail service began, the cost of shipping lumber to Boston dropped 58%. Fort Kent was one of 94 similar stations from Searsport to St. Francis.
Quand le service de chemin de fer commence, les coûts pour expédier un chargement de bois vers Boston chutent de 58%. Fort Kent était l'une des 94 gares semblables entre Searsport et St. Francis.
Quand le service de chemin de fer commence, les coûts pour expédier un chargement de bois vers Boston chutent de 58%. Fort Kent était l'une des 94 gares semblables entre Searsport et St. Francis.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1902.
Location. 47° 15.463′ N, 68° 35.355′ W. Marker is in Fort Kent, Maine, in Aroostook County. Marker can be reached from Market Street (Maine Route 161) just east of East Main Street (U.S. 1), on the right when traveling west. Marker is located near the northeast corner of the Fort Kent Railroad Station parking lot, overlooking the railroad tracks. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fort Kent ME 04743, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. When "going across" Was Like Crossing the Street (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Allagash and St. John Rivers (approx. ¼ mile away); Fort Kent (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Aroostook War (approx. 0.4 miles away); America's First Mile (approx. 0.9 miles away); One People in Two Countries / Une Vallée sans frontière (approx. 0.9 miles away); La paroisse de Ste. Luce 150e anniversaire (approx. 7.8 miles away); Farming Then & Now / L'agriculture d'hier à aujourd'hui (approx. 9½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Kent.
3. Marker detail: Working on the Railroad /
des Travailleurs du Rail
des Travailleurs du Rail
The railroad meant jobs ranging from construction to maintenance.
1902 survey crew on snowshoes (above).
1911 section crew standing on a petite quatraque (below).
Les emplois dans le chemin de fer vont de la construction à l'entretien.
1902 une équipe d'arpenteurs en raquettes (ci-dessus).
1911 une équipe d'entretien sur une petite draisine appelée ici quatraque (au-dessous).
1902 survey crew on snowshoes (above).
1911 section crew standing on a petite quatraque (below).
Les emplois dans le chemin de fer vont de la construction à l'entretien.
1902 une équipe d'arpenteurs en raquettes (ci-dessus).
1911 une équipe d'entretien sur une petite draisine appelée ici quatraque (au-dessous).
4. Marker detail: Fort Kent Railroad Station /
Gare ferroviaire de Fort Kent
Gare ferroviaire de Fort Kent
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 1, 2019
5. Rail Fuels Growth, Cultural Change Marker
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 1, 2019
6. Fort Kent Railroad Station (Museum) / Gare Ferroviaire de Fort Kent (Musée)
Credits. This page was last revised on April 16, 2020. It was originally submitted on April 14, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 157 times since then and 49 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on April 14, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on April 15, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
