Sears Island

Sears Island. Changing with the Times. , A Century of Sears , In 1806, several men owned shares in Brigadier's Island. David Sears bought out his partners in 1813. The island passed down through four generations of the Sears family, who owned much land in the area now known as Searsport. Farming continued on Sears Island for over a century. While the Sears family never lived year-round on the island, they built a summer home at the southern end in 1853, which burned 40 years later., A Recreation Destination , In 1905 the Bangor Investment Company, part of Bangor and Aroostook Railroad, bought the island to develop a resort, which never happened. Farming continued until 1934 when all buildings were removed. As it returned to a more natural state, locals viewed the island as a public recreation area, even using it as a drop-off point for smuggling liquor during Prohibition., David Sears (1781, 1871) with sons David (b.1822) and Fredric (b. 1824). Detail of painting done in 1840, unknown artist. , , Penobscot Park once stood on land along Kidder Point and Sears Island Road., Old stone wall. Sears Island, Sears Island Today , Sears Island's potential for development has long been recognized. In 1985, the state purchased 50 acres for a possible port site. The causeway was built and the jetty started, but the project ended by 1996. In 1997, the state purchased the remainder of the island, and discussions continued about possible uses. In 2006, Friends of Sears Island was formed to protect the island's natural and cultural) resources, and in 2009, 601 acres of the island were placed under conservation easement. The remaining 335 acres are held for future transportation purposes. Today, Friends of Sears Island manages the conservation area on the island., This sign was made possible thanks to the Maine Community Foundation, GBL Charitable Foundation, and the Town of Searsport