Wiscasset in Lincoln County, Maine — The American Northeast (New England)
Custom House - 1870
Wiscasset, Maine
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Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, October 14, 2024
1. Custom House - 1870 Marker
In 1789, President Washington designated Wiscasset an official U.S. Port of Entry. He appointed Francis Cook to be Inspector of Customs. Every ship entering the country had to show documents identifying the vessel, cargo, and country of origin. Customs fees were the government's primary source of revenue in the days before taxes. Cook held the position for 38 years.
This is Wiscasset's third Custom House. The first was a small structure next to Cook's house on Main Street. The second was another brick building, also on the waterfront. It was destroyed in the devastating fire of 1866 that burned most of Wiscasset's waterfront.
This Custom House was built in 1870, with the Custom Office on the second floor and the post office on the first. In 1913, Wiscasset's designation was discontinued. The Custom Office closed, but the U.S. Post Office remained here until 1961. After that, the building became a residence and retail space.
These photos show the Custom House shortly after it was built and, later, a huge crowd gathered to see the Arctic explorer, Captain Donald MacMillan, off on the Bowdoin for his 1925 Arctic Expedition.
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Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings.
Location. 44° 0.021′ N, 69° 39.916′ W. Marker is in Wiscasset, Maine, in Lincoln County. It is at the intersection of Water Street and Fore Street, on the right when traveling south on Water Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 14 Water Street, Wiscasset ME 04578, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Midcoast Maine. It is also in the American Northeast, in New England, and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Welcome to Wiscasset (here, next to this marker); Revive the Wiscasset Schooners with Augmented Reality (within shouting distance of this marker); Wiscasset Sailing Vessels (within shouting distance of this marker); Wiscasset's Railroads 1849 - 2013 (about 300 feet away, measured
Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, October 14, 2024
2. Custom House - 1870 Marker
Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, October 14, 2024
3. The back of the Custom House
Credits. This page was last revised on October 24, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 20, 2024, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 218 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 20, 2024, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.
