Thomaston in Knox County, Maine — The American Northeast (New England)
June 7, 1915
June 7, 1915
A wagon loaded with brooms made by prison inmates makes its way down Knox Street to the Thomaston Railroad Station for shipping. Behind the wagon is the rubble of Watts Hall, collapsed from the recent fire that brought down the entire block on the south side of Main Street.
The low wall in front of the men standing at the still smoking remains was the foundation of the Watts building. Heat from the huge blaze was so intense that it broke many of the windows of the buildings on the north side of the street. However, the canvas awnings on the north side remained intact because the owners of those businesses kept them watered down. The building to the far right of the photograph, housed the business of a glass window maker. The first windows he replaced were on the second floor of his own building. They were of the newest style, with one windowpane of glass over one, and do not match the other windows on the building that were six windowpanes over six.
Le 7 Juin 1915
Un chariot chargé de balais fabriqués par les prisonniers de la prison de Thomaston descend la rue Knox pour livrer sa cargaison à la gare. Derrière ce chariot, il y a les ruines du Watts Hall, détruit quelques semaines plus tôt par un incendie gigantesque qui anéantit tout le pâté de maison du côté sud de la Grande Rue. Sur l'image de droite, le mur que regardent les hommes est tout ce qui reste des fondations de l'immeuble. La chaleur intense du feu a brisé les carreaux des maisons situées de l'autre côté de la rue. En revanche, les bannes en toile sont sauvées par les propriétaires des boutiques, qui les arrosent constamment pendant toute la durée du sinistre. Le bâtiment de droite, quant à lui, est alors occupé par un vitrier qui commence par remplacer les fenêtres du deuxième étage de son propre immeuble. Il profite de l'occasion pour adopter le nouveau style de l'époque, avec deux carreaux, au lieu de quatre ou six.
Erected by The Museum in the Streets. (Marker Number 16.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Industry & Commerce.
Location. 44° 4.724′ N, 69° 10.951′ W. Marker is in Thomaston, Maine, in Knox County. It is at the intersection of Knox Street and Main Street (U.S. 1), on the right when traveling north on Knox Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4 Knox St, Thomaston ME 04861, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Midcoast Maine and on Penobscot Bay. 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: Thomaston's Business Block (here, next to this marker); The Builders, the Captains and the Seamen of Thomaston Ships (a few steps from this marker); Thomaston, Maine (a few steps from this marker); A Case of Modern Technology (within shouting distance of this marker); A Town Landmark (within shouting distance of this marker); Thomaston Historical Timeline (within shouting distance of this marker); Two Historic Churches and Good Neighbors (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Once a Tavern / Une Ancienne Taverne (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Thomaston.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 2, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 27, 2024, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 144 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 27, 2024, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.

