Augusta in Kennebec County, Maine — The American Northeast (New England)
Augusta's Publishing Empire / L'empire de l'édition à Augusta
Augusta, Maine
— The Museum in the Streets® —
These buildings were built to house the E. C. Allen Publishing Company. Allen has been called the forerunner of the advertising agency business, the pioneer of low-priced mail order periodicals, and the creator of the premium idea in the sale of merchandise and magazine subscriptions. In 1880, Allen built a six-story office building across the street (demolished in 1987) and connected it to these buildings with a tunnel. Allen was a director of the Augusta National Bank, the Augusta Loan and Building Association, and the Cushnoc Fiber Company, as well as the largest shareholder of the Kennebec Steamboat Company. He was also president of the Augusta Board of Trade for three years. Allen died in Boston in 1891 at age 42. He is buried in Forest Grove Cemetery in Augusta.
Erected by The Museum in the Streets®. (Marker Number 23.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the The Museum in the Streets®: Augusta, Maine series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1880.
Location. 44° 18.894′ N, 69° 46.468′ W. Marker is in Augusta, Maine, in Kennebec County. Marker is at the intersection of Water Street and Winthrop Street, on the left when traveling north on Water Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 287 Water St, Augusta ME 04330, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Market Square / La place du Marché (a few steps from this marker); Flag Protest ~ War of 1812 / Drapeau en berne - Guerre de 1812 (within shouting distance of this marker); Granite Block / Un Bâtiment en granit (within shouting distance of this marker); United States Post Office / La Poste des Etats-Unis (within shouting distance of this marker); They Were Superior Buildings / Des bâtiments pittoresques (within shouting distance of this marker); The Great Fire / Le Grand incendie (within shouting distance of this marker); Steamboat Landing / L'embarquement des bateaux à vapeur (within shouting distance of this marker); Cornerstone Day / La pose des premières pierres (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Augusta.
Also see . . .
1. Edward Charles Allen. Find A Grave website entry (Submitted on December 5, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. The Museum in the Streets Tour Map, Augusta, Maine. (Submitted on December 5, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on November 17, 2021. It was originally submitted on December 5, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 282 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 5, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.