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1973 Articles about the Augusta House Hotel Augusta House Hotel

Kennebec Journal

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This scene from a 1917 postcard shows the intersection of State and Grove Streets, and Western Avenue. The trolley at left is on Western Avenue; the one Old Augusta at right on State Street, while a horse-drawn Vehicle is approaching on Grove Street. The rooftop in the foreground is probably the street car waiting room . that once stood beside the Augusta House.

PlACE 1 STAMP HERI:

POST CARD DOMESTIC ONE Ct:Nl FOREIGN T YO CENTS ,______! THIS SIDE FOR THE ADDRESS Kennebec JournalJourn•f /I FILESftlES arly photo of Augusta House with two entrances show a handful of men,men. presumably state legislators,legislators, posing on one stair, while twotwo women watch fromfrom far.far. Augusta House: Easing pain, fretting over future While many scurry, others Receivers are concerned over future start fund By DAN SIMPSON for hapless KJ staff writer By MARY PLUMER While dozens of individuals and agencies are scurrying KJ staff writer around finding places for homeless people living at the Augusta House, others are starting to voice concern over long-range A fund of $300 has been crea­ ted to help Augusta House resi­ effects of closing the 141-year-old hotel. dents secure housing in an at­ The immediate situation for those at the hotel does not ap­ tempt to ease the bind of the pear to be too bad. Mrs. Mary Dionne, manager of the after Monday shutdown. care unit at the Health and Welfare Department’s local office, Robert G. Fuller Jr., a re­ said Friday there apparently are enough rooms available to ceiver with Bruce R. Livingston house the 15 of the 63 guests that have no place to go. in the closing of the historic hostel, said his law firm of The other persons either work at the hotel or have made Doyle & Fuller, and Livingston’s their own arrangements. employers, the law firm of Lip­ man & Gingras, and Mrs. Mary Mrs. Dionne added, however the department would still like Acheson, who holds two of the to hear from persons who have rooms or apartments to rent. five mortgages on the operating Even Monday would not be too late, she added. firm, had each donated $100 to assist the residents. “I’m still fearful we may not have found everybody who needs help,” she explained. Fuller said this move was in Although some guests are former Augusta State Hospital partial response to some of patients, Mrs. Dionne said she did not expect any would have the feeling of Augusta House residents that “Fuller and Liv­ to be returned there. The agency talked with guests Thurs­ ingston are a bunch of black day and Friday and took calls Friday morning from people hats.” willing to rent rooms or apartments. Now they are matching the former Augusta House guests Responding to comments with the available space. made by Augusta House resi­ “We wouldn’t move anyone into a place they couldn’t afford,” dents who complained in a KJ story Thursday about the Mrs. Dionne said. “Most are living on very small incomes— short notice given them that all $150 a month apartments are out of the question. facilities would be shut off Mon­ Augusta has had a limited number of rooms and apart­ day, Fuller said “no one is more ments available because of the continued discharge of patients distressed than Mr. Livingston from the Augusta State Hospital and Togus Veterans Admin­ and myself about the fact that istration Center. there are 30 or 40 people in Au­ gusta House who apparently To both the state and city health and welfare departments, Checking out have no place to go.” and to other social agencies, the Augusta House has long been Fuller said early Friday morn­ ing that he had been on the a haven for persons who are. temporarily without housing. Now Miss Roselle Somerville, who has lived at the phone to city hall, the Maine that it is no longer available, the agencies have no place to Augusta House for the last several years, bids a sad Housing Authority, the Dept of house homeless people. Civil Defense “and to just about farewell to Frank Toothaker, desk clerk for 25 years, everyone else I can think of in (Continued On Page 2—Col. 2) as she checked out Friday night. (KJ Photo by Potter) city and state government and so far have not had one con­ crete response.” Fuller said some had said they would look around to see if something could be done. “We’re not standing idly by, wringing our hands at the plight of these people. We’re concern­ ed about these people. They Jiave human needs and we’re ’onccrned about them.” Fuller added, however, that they could not keep operating the hotel indefinitely “at a sub­ stantial loss.” Tlie local attorney said “Mr. Old hotel helped many out of jams Livingston and I have less than $200 in the receiver’s checking . (Continued from Page One) Some stayed. One woman we eight to 10 cases a month were account. We have substantial : “I just wish there were a put there temporarily last fall referred to the Augusta House, fuel oil bills, power bills etc., ■ hotel for the elderly in the stayed and has been quite con­ sometimes as many as three to pay with no prospects of in­ area,” Mrs. Dionne said. ‘‘The tent. This is a sorely needed or four in one week. Most of come coming in.” Augusta House has been a very resource in the community . . these cases are individuals, but convenient resource in the com­ Michael Saycr. an attorney some are families. ruiier saia "anyone in stale munity—we are going to miss and housing specialist for the “It is the only place we had, government or at the city level it. Community Action Program, really,” he commented. “It Is or, indeed, from anyplace who “It was centrally located, was also concerned with long going to be awfully hard (to wants to come forward and as­ which was good for the elderly. range effects of the hotel’s clos­ place) the next person who sume our weekly operating If you couldn’t find another ing. comes in.” deficit of some several hundred place you could always put the Working in conjunction with Asked where the next person dollars, I’d be pleased to hear person in the Augusta House. the Pine Tree Legal Assistance or family would be placed, be from them.” organization, he said his imme­ said he would cross that bridge diate concern is to “insure when he came to it “but I He said “we simply can’t pay people are not abandoned . . . don’t know where it will be.” the fuel bills and light bills and and pushed out into the street The city had an arrangement that’s that. It would be unfair or forced into substandard with the Augusta House that \ to the creditors to carry us any places that pass as housing.” allowed It to pay the hotel on longer.” Additionally, he said, a weekly basis for persons who added time would only “hold Sayer said it has been his ex­ up false hopes to people in the perience in working with both would be staying a week or more. This is considerably building that something could agencies to refer people to the be done.” Augusta House when no apart­ cheaper than paying daily rates. The Augusta House Is the only Fuller said the fuel bill is ment or houses were available. place that can accommodate a running in excess of $100 a day “We know of many people family. More important per­ “and we're not taking in that who stayed there Jn emergency haps, Lacasse said, the hotel amount of money.” situations,” he commented, was always there when it was Sumner Lipman of Lipman & lie mentioned specifically one needed. Gingras, took issue with the client in Litchfield who was be­ “It's going to make it very Thursday KJ story that indi­ ing evicted. Both the man hard here,” Hie director said. cated the Augusta House was evicting him and town officials “In the past years we have cold. Lipman said the heat had tried to convince the person to used tlie Augusta House quite not been turned off and the go to the Augusta House, where often.” same amount is being used as the town would pay ills rent un­ before. til he could find a place of his own. Roy Mullins, executive direc­ Fuller said he was in the Au- tor of the area Community Ac­ jgusta House lobby Friday and tion Program, said the demise bit was “comfortable.” He said ‘‘This has happened often of tho Augusta House leaves no [i there are no thermostats in the enough for a pattern to have place of crisis housing for per­ place “you turn one valve and dearly developed.” Saycr said. sons evicted or otherwise with­ , the whole place gets heated “The Augusta House Is clearly out living space. i up.” the only place suggested as such i Spending Friday chasing down a place (a home for emergency ] alternatives for the Augusta situations). Towns often look to Although (lie CAP agency it as a solution, at least tem­ does not provide money for per­ House homeless. Fuller met in porarily.” sons needing housing, It is often 1 the afternoon with one of Gov. the agency that refers these i Kenneth M. Curtis’ aides in an He added there is no other needy people to health and wel­ i attempt to come up with a solution because there is no fare officials. • temporary shelter at the arm- public housing in southern Ken­ Mullins also noted I lie sl ate (ory or at Augusta State Hospi­ nebec County. It is particularly “docs have some responsibility, tal. The Hill Mansion was also difficult in the area to find and some blame really” fox' the J investigated as a possibility, he emergency bousing for families. hotel. He noted when it shut said, but is not heated beyond “There is no other place in down its facility for elderly men ,the first floor. southern Kennebec County that in Jefferson two years ago — j Late Friday, Fuller reported I know of,” Sayer said. “I know it was sold to a Massachusetts received word from Wil- of no alternative.” firm — many of the men moved Atls Johnson of the governor’s to Augusta and to the Augusta ’office, that the Oblate Retreat Some dispossessed families House. House had agreed to provide have stayed at the Augusta At one time the Jefferson fa idemporary facilities to those House for weeks at a time until ciiity had 288 persons. Mullin: lhvith absolutely no place to turn. housing elsewhere opened up. estimated about 30 moved ti « The Rev. Real Bourque said Abraham Lacasse, director of Augusta. rthis help could not extend be­ the city health and welfare de­ Lacasse said he did not knov yond next Friday because of partment, called the old hotel if any of the elderly men win lithe nature of the continuing pro­ his “ace in the hole.” moved here are still living a grams at the Retreat House. Lacasse said an average of the hotel. !£He said it would be impossible to keep anyone there beyond a n„apv tomnnrarv” situation.

Fuller said the current Augus­ ta House crisis is “a commu­ nity problem and I would like to see a community response to it.” He urged area residents with extra rooms in their homes to assist, at least temporarily. “If anyone has any bright / ideas, now is the time to come forward”, Fuller said. In the meantime, he said, any Augusta House residents need­ ing financial help to secure a rent should contact him at his -office on Western avenue. Augusta House 1973 No elderly ladies out in snowbank; & Fuller. “We don’t anticipate company, perhaps sell it or By I,AN SIMPSON liquidate it. Any proceeds would) KJ staff writer closing it down.” of the principal creditors of The other receiver, Bruce R. the Capitol City Hotel Inc. The go to the creditors. The Augusta House will con­ Livingston, an attorney with corporation is the operating The future of the building ’ tinue operating at its present Lipman & Gingras firm, added company, leasing it fro in itself will be up to mortgage1 level until at least after a meet­ there “won’t be any elderly la­ Acheson Hotel Inc., the corp­ holders of Acheson Hotels Inc. ing of its creditors sometime in dies in the snowbanks of Au­ oration owning the land and Mrs. Acheson, one of five mort­ gusta,” a reference to the building. gage holders, has started fore­ February, the two attorneys closure proceedings which come named as receivers said Tues­ number of elderly persons liv­ Lipman said the Capitol City ing in the old hotel. due in June. Once other mort­ day. Hotel Corp, consented to the re­ gage holders are provided for, “We plan to continue running The bar and eating facilities ceivership. “Everybody agreed she has the option of selling the the hotel as a hotel . . as long at the Augusta House have it was in the best interest of hotel, tearing it down or keep­ as feasible,” said attorney Rob­ been closed since Friday, when the hotel,” he commented. ing it going. ert G. Fuller of the firm, Doyle it went into receivership. These The receivers act. essentially as agents for creditors. They Livingston said the credi­ will remain closed, at least for tors he has talked with want the time being, but the hotel arc not responsible for debts incurred before they took over. to see the hotel kept as a go­ will continue to rent rooms and ing business. service them. This means es­ A receivership is not usually a long-term vehicle hut is used The receivers said it appears sentially providing heat, lights, their income from rents will and other utilities to the hotel’s to wind up the affairs of a cover the reduced operating ex­ permanent residents, transients company for creditors. penses with the closing of the and legislators. Presently Livingston and Full­ bar and dining room. The beauty salon and barber er are determining who the shop which rent space will also creditors are and how much Both, however, said the fuel be open. each is owed. They will also bill was very high. Because of The receivers said they have hire someone to take an in­ the hotel’s age there are no enough problems with supervis­ ventory of Capitol City Hotel thermostats to control Indivi­ ing tenants’ rooms without be­ Inc. assets, which are principal­ dual rooms, and a plan to keep ly the furnishings of the build­ guests in one section of the ing bothered with overseeing ing. hotel and shut off heat to other the restaurant. Sometime in February the sections Is apparently not fea­ There is no definite decision creditors will meet, and decide sible because of the plumbing concerning the bar, but if it is what to do with the operating structure. reopened it will be a leased operation to “someone respon­ sible who will exercise some degree of control over the patronage,” Fuller said. The receivership was initiated by Sumner Lipman, acting for his client Mary Acheson, one

Augusta House hobbles along under traumatic conditions

By STAN EAMES thousands of tourists and wan­ KJ News Editor derers. talked about the six-story hotel Mrs. Hector Pelletier, whc The Augusta House, hobbling It has been a stately man­ managed the dining room there along on an extremely shaky sion, a political and social land­ said it was “like home. I hate(j financial base for rnore than a mark, a hangout and, finally, to see it like it is. I h

The foreclosure date for the Ferris Jr., the attorney for the company Is a separate entity Augusta House was Sunday, but former owner Richard Schenk. from the building and land; it •the future of the city’s oldest Neither the buyer nor the owns only the furniture and hotel remains in limbo. sale price were revealed at that other such assets. On the foreclosure the proper­ time or since. The sale was Smith said these assets have ty reverted to Mrs. Mary Ache- made to a Portland attorney, been appraised at $18,000. son. a mortgage holder, ac­ Roger A. Putnam, who was act­ cording to her attorney Sumner If the court accepts the pe­ ing as a trustee for the party. tition. it means bankruptcy pro­ Lipman. Putnam’s name is the only one ' Lipman added, however, the cedures will follow federal ra­ listed at the Kennebec County ther than state guidelines. This property is still subject to an­ Registry of Deeds. other mortgage holder and cer­ could be important for the em­ Putnam was not available for ployes. because under federal tain liens, mostly taxes. comment Monday. ♦ Lipman will be meeting with procedures they are paid first In other developments con­ after the attorneys once the Mrs. Acheson Wednesday to dis* cerning the hotel, attorney Jef­ assets are sold. Under state cuss the hotel’s future. frey Smith of Gardiner said ;The attorney added he has procedures they are farther Monday he has filed a petition down on the lost of creditors. not heard from the mysterious of bankruptcy with a federal “buyer” recently. Lipman said Smith said he will eventually bankruptcy court in Maine on represent all 15 or jg former lie was asked not to reveal the behalf of three former em­ purchaser's name. employes. Most are owed less ployes. than the maximum of $600 they -Sale of the Augusta House to The petition asked the court the mystery party was an­ can get from the bankruptcy, to declare the Capital City Ho- but a few are owed $1,000 or nounced March 16 by Ralph tel Co., Inc., bankrupt. The more.

CLIFFORD L. SWAN CO., INC., Auctioneers, Portland, Maine TRUSTEE'S SALE AT AUCTION

By Order of the U.S. District Court. Hon. Richard E. Poulos, Esq., Bankruptcy Court Judge. Casa #73-26K Capital City Hotel, Inc. AUGUSTA HOUSE . AUGUSTA, ME. Furnishings of 200 Bedrooms — Lobby Cocktail Bar - Lounge — Kitchen — Dining Room FRIDAY, SATURDAY, NOV. 9th X 10th at 10.00 a.m. OPEN EACH DAY AT 8.00 A.M. FOR INSPECTION.

Friday will sell kitchen, dining room, cocktail lounge, lobby, office and part of bedrooms. Saturday sell bedrooms. You will be able to buy piece by piece as well as many bedrooms by room. This is one of Maine’s largest hotels — ' antiques and modern.______* 5

■ronooMS - Mahogany spool beds 4 matching chests, dressers, stand, desks, chairs also maple sets with innersor?na mZttre»es and bVx springs, also odd beds, ches, bureaus desk!i chairs (all types), either wall to wail carnet or room flit rugs in every room, floor A table lamps. Lots of bedding including sheets, pillow "8" X blanTets, etc. COCKTAIL LOUNGE - Recently new y turn,shed 18 ft. bar & back bar bar- tenders’ sink bar stoo s, cocktail tables with cushioned arm chairs, iMtMr lounges, lot ot glasses, etc. LOBBY Lounge chairs and sofas, desks, odd chairs, two upright and grand pianos. KITCHEN - Hobart dishwasher, chefs range, grills, broiler, deep fat fryers, steam table, steam cooie? To^mTste? ov« bakers oven, Hobart table 4 flior model mixers, S. S sinks, Bunn-o-m.tk coffee ~ warmer /slice toasters, work tables, walk-in box parts, compressors, etc. Lots of Mts Dans rTtlerv ’chin/ Slass etc etc. DINING ROOM - 150 Winchendon dining arm chairs with 5 sea’s 4 back (sams» a s' new alsoISO other chairs, round 4 square Form ca top tables, serving tables, etc MisrPLi AMBnill iim mmc triple washer, Unimallc dryer (looks new), fire extinguishers, TV sets, costumers ^'n^many“Ur itUs* OFFKE -two & W* «*ag. cabinet, show case 4 counters, Speed-O-Print photo copier, etc. JAMES B. GOODMAN. ESQ., TRUSTEE — GREGORY A. TSELIKIS, ESQ., ATTY. 'Extreme emergencies' Evicted hotel residents seek homes

The Augusta House lobby was trying to legally stop the evic­ Augusta House Friday to inter­ help,” she told him firmly and at the Augusta House for 25 freezing cold Thursday, tion or at least postpone it. view tenants interested i n went back to her solitude. years, obviously sad, said, “I’m residents wore outdoor clothing John Westcott and Joyce relocation at market rates. “We going up to Strong, store my and pathetic expressions. It was Saldivan, social workers for the have no funds to subsidize,” Another elderly lady who had stuff and rest, then I’ll see.” just a few hours after they had Dept. of Health and Welfare, Lenna said, “but we can lived at the Augusta House for Miss Mardel J. Witt, who had been told they were to be were trying to determine how allocate up to five emergency years, weary from a sleepless lived at the Augusta House evicted on Monday. many hotel residents were placements in case of ‘extreme night of worry, said she had about four weeks, sat clothed There were elderly persons dependent on the depailment emergency’.” been out pounding the pave­ in outdoor coat, hat and muffler who had lived there for years and what problems they were As far as the Augusta House ments all morning and hadn't stroking the house cat, had only and not so elderly who had lived facing. tenants were concerned all had found anything. She said she this to say, “I feel this building there only a few months. They The Maine Housing Authority “extreme emergencies.” heard people pacing the floors has a spirit that wants to live had similar problems, no place people were hot on the phone all night. on.” She too didn’t know w’here to go, no relatives, very little to see what they could do. They A little old lady who had lived Elwin Small, currently to go. money and no transportation. were limited in their efforts, there for years had locked her­ unemployed, said, “I put my A handful of young people however. A freeze on federal self in her room and refused last $15 down on a room at the Frank Bridges, who i s known as the Maine Housing funds has severely limited theii’ to budge. She talked to only one Lawrence House this morning. receiving help from the Dept. Coalition were there to see if activities. Augusta House employe and He said he had applied for of Welfare, was bitter about the there was anything they could Robert Lenna. a spokesman was finally convinced to talk unemployment and has n o eviction. “I have no idea what do to help. Gerry Smith, their for the Authority, said they briefly with Westcott, the social income. spokesman, said they were would have people at the worker. “I don’t want your Frank Toothaker, a deskman (Continued On Page 2—Col. 2) Solons won't try to save Augusta House By ERNIE STALLWORTH with a smile when asked what Richard W. Berry, R.-Cape “I’ve heard nothing about legislators might do. Elizabeth, said some state anyone picking it up,” Sproul KJ staff writer More seriously, MacLeod, a boards such as the ‘Maine said. “It’s going to be an incon­ Private business interests will Brewer Republican, suggested Industrial Building Authority venience for the people living have to save the Augusta House, that a modern five-story hotel might help with loans for a new there. I’m sure the people in if it is to be saved at all. with underground parking would building, but the legislature city government will help be filled constantly if it were won’t help directly. -» relocate people or do anything Legislative leaders of both built on the Augusta House site. they can.” parties agreed Thursday that “I don’t think the legislature there wouldn’t be any attempts “There’s a lot of nostalgia should become engaged in Sproul, who is also a Republi­ around here,” Sen. Joseph P. private business,” House can House member, said he to revive the old hotel at tliis Brennan, D.-Portland, said, “but Speaker Richard D. Hewes, R.- thought a new hotel would be session. we have no responsibility for the Cape Elizabeth, said. “I would a fine business for someone. hotel.” be opposed. This is not to say “I’d like to see it, (a new In fact, there was we might not be interested in facility), happen,” Sproul said. considerable sentiment for Brennan, the Senate minority the land at a later date. We “I’m disappointed at the tearing the building down leader, said a number of legisla­ are definitely not interested in closing. It was serving a pur­ and constructing a modern hotel tors would like to live within its operation.” pose for some of our senior complex on the grounds. walking distance of the State Augusta Mayor Stanley E. citizens and some legislators.” House and a modern facility Sproul said he had been hopeful “We’re going to have a party would also help with some of one of the several potential David N. Elvin, city council and draw straws to see w’ho’ll the parking problems. buyers might step forward be­ chairman, said Wednesday he go burn it down,” Senate Presi­ fore the hotel closed, but that dent Kenneth P. MacLeod said Senate Majority Leader now seems unlikely. (Continued On Page 2—Col. 3) Evicted residents Solon's won't (Continued from Page One) Mrs. Drago was there trying (Continued from Page One) I’m going to do, scream bloody to help the residents with their didn’t think the city would ball murder I think. How can this problems. out the hotel, and social workers lawyer say he wouldn’t evict us The biggest problem seemed from the state health and wcl* and then do this. He’s not much to be that a lot of elderly of a person. After he made that people, unable to cope with the statement everyone felt safe.” situation were about to be fare department began working evicted from what they Thursday to relocate tenants. Harold Brook who lives on a considered their home. small pension, said, “I’m going Mrs. Dorothy Pelletier, dining Mrs. Peter Dionne, a depart­ to Bond Brook road with friends room hostess for 20 years, ment representative, said she is if I don’t land in the hospital summed the situation up very concerned for the 60 o>f the 66 this afternoon.” well. “I’m just sorry about the permanent residents who are Frank A. Folsom, another whole thing,” her eyes filled recipients of state assistance. long time resident, said, ‘‘I paid with tears, she said, “I could "There’s no such thing as 60 my rent a month in advance, just cry.” vacant rooms to let in this how can they evict us in four area,” Mrs. Dionne said. “It’s days.” a shame they (the receivers) Pat Faucher of the Augusta had to do this. I don’t think Post Office, was there to see they know just how tight the what would be done about housing situation is.” . residents’ mail when the hotel Mrs. Dionne said Augusta i closes. “We can hold it at the State Hospital and health and post office for a while,” he said. welfare aid recipients live at the A frightened cat running Augusta House. State health and Snow bank? around the lobby was causing welfare workers will meet some concern. Mrs. Hazel Friday to discuss the situation, Miss Mardel J. Witt sat in the ice cold Augusta Drago, whose husband formerly she said. House lobby Thursday, fully clothed for outdoor managed the Augusta House, The hotel will close its doors weather, holding the house cat, watching forlornly as said, “I don’t know what they’re Monday. frantic residents scurried around trying to figure out going to do about the cat. I what to do about eviction day on Monday. (KJ Photo hope some one will take it.” by Potter) tx-tenants all housed * Augusta J House closes By ERNIE STALLWORTH KJ staff writer All of the Augusta House's 66 residents have found tem­ porary housing, and most of them moved out of the facility over the weekend. “This will ease the burden on their part, the immediacy and the pressure,” James H. Murphy of the Southern Kenne­ bec Valley Community Action Program said Sunday. Well still be working this week to find them places in Augusta.” Utilities are scheduled to be shut off at 5 p.m. Monday, bringing the 141-year-old his­ tory of the hotel to a close. The residents, who have been scrambling to find shelter since Wednesday when the hotel’s re­ ceivers announced the closing, are not yet quartered properly, but they will be housed this week. “There are apartments avail­ able in the area, like Gardiner, but many of the people don't have transportation,” Murphy said. “They’ve been living in Augusta a long time, and most of them want to stay. We're still trying to find places, and I hope we’ll be successful.” Residents are staying with relatives, friends and in lodg­ ing provided by some religious Aerial photo shows the Augusta House which will close today organizations. Calls are still coming in, though, and more permanent housing may be piBsi found by the end of the week, Murphy said. ; Augusta House closed, padlocked By STAN EAMES KJ News Editor A Maine landmark died Monday night of a lack of money' and too many mortgages. The Augusta House, once-renowned center of Maine political and social activity, closed for good at 5 p.m. after receivers struggled for 15 days to find a way to keep the old hotel going. Robert G. Fuller, one of the two men appointed to oversee the death throes, said Monday the hotel has been stripped of anything of value. “All the liquor is-gone, and all the valuable equipment and furbishments are gone, stored under lock and key elsewhere,” he said. Fuller added that the hotel will be guarded at night. We’ll have a night watchman there. It won’t be an empty shell open for the vultures to pick at,” he declared. Augusta Police said they would keep no special watch on the 141-year-old hotel. The fire department said it hoped the hotel would not be a target for arsonists. “We haven’t had too much of a problem with things like that,” said Battalion Chief George Bean. “Of course there’s a chance that fire may occur there now that the automatic sprinkler system is disconnected and it could create a major problem if fire should start there, but we’re not expecting that,” he added. Fuller said the place had been “officially closed” at mid­ afternoon. “I’m just handing out the last paychecks to the few people who are left,” he said. He said he hopes the security will deter vandals, tramps and that ilk. Fuller also said that three or four persons have telephoned him expressing interest in buying the Augusta House. “But when they hear about the number of mortgages on it, they back off,” he added. Mrs. Mary Dionne, manager of the after care unit at the Health and Welfare Department's local office, said the response to the plea for rooms has been surprising. “The problem is,” she said, “that the 10 or 15 people we would help are very independent, -they want to live in Augusta Padlocked and they have a limited income. Receivers Bruce Livingston and Robert noon Monday, officially closing the city One person is staying temporarily at St. Paul’s Retreat G. Fuller snap the padlock on the front landmark after 141 years of operation. door of the Augusta House at mid-after­ (KJ Photo by Roach) (Continued On Page 2—Col. 4) The Augusta House will be torn down One of the city’s oldest land­ substantial deterioration scheduled to begin until late marks, the Augusta House, during the period from this year. will be torn down to make way February 1973, when the hotel “However,” the spokesman for a new bank. closed, to October,” the added, “because the building spokesman added. in its present condition poses a The long-awaited announce­ In place of the hotel will be considerable hazard to the ment came Monday from a Casco-Northern National community in terms of fire Casco-Northern Corp., which Bank, the first Casco branch and vandalism . . . Casco has bought the hotel site in Oc­ in this county. announced its decision to tober. The bank cited major begin demolition im­ structural defects, making The final chapter in the mediately.” renovation “economically un­ hotel’s history began Monday The demolition is being car­ sound,” as the reason for with engineers taking test ried out by Callahan Bros. In- demolishing the building. borings of the soil in c., general contractors from preparation for the new struc­ Mechanics Falls. A bank spokesman said pos­ ture. sibilities of restoring the After salvageable material building were thoroughly in­ The spokesman said pre­ is removed, the company will vestigated, but that “expert liminary engineering studies start razing the building. The opinion had convinced the of the site are still in process work is expected to be holding that this would not be and as yet no details about the finished by mid-April. feasible.” new bank are available. Further, there had been Construction is not (Continued on Page 2 Col. 3) TU d y,J , ' 7

Beginning olof the endend...... An employe of Maine Test Boring Inc.Inc. ofof Brewer readies his muchint•machine as samplessamples ofof t~ethe ground atat thethe Augusta House sitesite were takentaken Monday. Razing ortheof the hotel will begmoegin laterlater thisthis week. (KJ(KJ Photo by Stratton)Stratton) —KJ-KJ Photo by Allan B.B . Roach Goodbye old neighbor says Rotary Cleaners' sign as demolition of the Augusta House nears completion Augusta House is sold to mystery man By DAN SIMPSON completed for another two or He refused to speculate when new owner has taken over all KJ staff writer three weeks. the purchaser, the price and the mortgages, taxes and attach­ purpose would be revealed. ments that had caused the old The Augusta House was pur­ The sale was made t o hotel to close a month and a chased Friday by an unknown Portland attorney Richard A. Farris said there were no half ago. party for an undisclosed price Putnam, acting as a trustee for realtors involved. He said the These encumbrances total for an unknown purpose. the mystery party. purchase involved only himself, about $256,000 and will probably The certificate at the his client, and the trustee, who be settled for around $225,000, Ralph Farris Jr., attorney for Kennebec County Registry of was working for the mysterious Farris thought. owner Richard Schenk, said the Deeds listed only Putnam’s party through a Portland bank. The purchase is for the build­ sale took place unexpectedly. He name. Putnam declined to say if a ing and land only. The had been negotiating with this Putnam cited “attorney-client bank was involved. furnishings are still in the particular party, but had not relationships’’ as the reason for While not revealing the expected the transaction to be not disclosing any facts. hands of the receivers of the' v price, Farris commented the Capital City Hotel firm. The receivers would have to move or sell the furnishings if the lliotel is to be razed. Sumner Lipman, attorney for the Acheson family which holds the second and third mortgages on the Augusta House, said he could not have sold the hotel until June. “All we want is to be paid off,” he added. He was not aware of the sale when called Friday. The hotel went into Augusta House is dropped receivership Jan. 19 at the request of Lipman, acting in behalf of his clients. Receivers tried to keep the doors open until it could be sold, but the into ditch, load at a time financial burden of keeping the massive 141-year-old structure By DAN SIMPSON Foss said the contractor, fill will continually settle as the operating led them to close the KJ staff writer hotel two weeks later Callahan Bros, of Mechanic wood decays. The “hush-hush” atmosphere The remains of the Augusta Falls, will cover the fill with The City Council passed an surrounding the sale does little House are finding a useful, gravel. The resulting parking ordinance at its January to halt speculation over the final resting place — the base lot will be for store customers meeting prohibiting the hotel’s future. for a parking lot behind the and tenants in the apartment remains of buildings from Various suggestions have been State Street News. But the city above the store. being dumped anywhere in the that the state purchase the is not very happy about it. Both City Engineer Oliver city except at the Hatch Hill property, that the hotel be torn Robert Foss, owner of that Coulling and city Building In­ disposal area. The ordinance, down, that it be restored, that store and Mr. Paperback, ar­ spector Archie Bickford objec­ although passed as an the land be used for a parking ted to the material being used emergency measure, does not garage, or that a new hotel be ranged with the contractor go into effect until Feb. 20 30 constructed on the site. tearing down the old hotel to as fill. While the primarily wooden days after the meeting. have the material dumped in Foss argues that the the 50 to 60-foot gully behind material does not present a fire hazard, Bickford said the material will not settle as the small market-book store. much as the city claims because it is being packed down. “It will settle slowly, because it is covered," he said. “There will be a couple loads of gravel put on each year to keep it up.” He expects to have a parking lot 75 by 100 feet in size on what was essentially useless land. The parking lot “will be a big help,” Foss said. “You know what parking is like on State street. A cherrypicker bucket deposits debris as Augusta House demolition begins Tuesday Augusta House (Continued from Page One) It is often said that more “The creditors have been legislation was written, understanding, including the approved or killed in the lobby mortgage holder, but a lot of of this hostelry than in the State complaints came from tenants House or Senate. in the hotel,” Ferris said. Richard Nixon held a recep­ These complaints led to 17 tion in the hotel in 1951 as part inspections by state and local of his vice presidential governmental agencies in the campaign, and movie stars last three months, three alone Dorothy Lamour and F a y from one state Department of Emerson arc two of the more Health and Welfare team, well-known guests who have Schenk said. stayed there. For 10 days, the hotel has The scene at the hotel Friday • been operating with no tele­ was peculiar. phone service and “that can’t be done” Ferris said. An ancient adding machine He commented that “outside belonging to one of the staff pressures have been exerted” members sat forlornly in a but in such a way that no kind chair beside a row of personal; of coercion could be proved. belongings — a policeman The Augusta House was put standing guard nearby. up for sale last June for Confused elderly women $275,000, but there were wandered through the lobby, apparently no serious nibbles dressed to kill with no place after the Bradford offer which to go and no one paying them was withdrawn. any attention. Acheson, a Hallowell painter The 175-room, six-story build­ who was tapped by Lipman to ing, constructed in 1831 as a stand in for Mrs. Acheson, Iris four-story hotel, was valued on mother, during the day, found city tax rolls in 1968 at $180,990 himself answering question and the parking lot for an addi­ after question with a sorrowful tional $3,860. It is bounded by T wish I could help you, but. . the Memorial Circle, and State, The lobby scene was one of Grove and Hichborn streets. mournful bustling. Its history is linked with the A legislator Thursday who legislature. Reuel Williams built was leaving for home for the — KJ Photo by Veilleux the hotel and it opened a day weekend had obviously heard before the 1832-34 legislative rumors of trouble for the hotel. The Augusta House as it looked in 1965 session. The top two stories “It’s been a wonderful place for were added in 1910 when me, to me,” said Rep. John B. Augusta was made the Cottrell, D.-Portland. “I hope permanent seat of state govern­ everything works out,” he told ment. Schenk. Augusta House plunges info receivership

By STAN EAMES Fuller and Livingston, the KJ News Editor temporary receivers, work for the law firm of Lipman & The Augusta House, one of the Gingras, which acted for Mrs. landmarks of Maine social and Acheson, who lives in Hallowell. political history, plunged into Lipman said Friday night the receivership Friday night. Quite receivers “have no intention of simply, it ran out of money. evicting the tenants. For now, And the future is most uncer­ things will just go along under tain for the 141-year-old hotel. the receivers until we can get Owner Richard L. Schenk was this straightened out.” not available for comment. His private telephone at the hotel The options open to the had been disconnected. His receivers are threefold: Let the (^■lawyer v"'e no indication as to Augusta House run in a limited the owner’s plans, either. fashion (with the bar, kitchen Receivers Robert Fuller and and dining facilities closed): sell Bruce Livingston said they had it and hope that the buyer con­ no knowledge of what is planned tinues its operation: or close it. for the future of the institution. “Our main concern, and Mrs. Tlie tenants who are there Acheson’s, is the creditors,” now — including some 40 elderly Lipman said, moments after women who have made the hotel receiving the order from Justice their home for decades — will Webber. “The Capitol City Hotel not have to leave, the receivers Co. Inc. is, insolvent.” said, adding that that will be Schenk said earlier this week up to whomever purchases the the hotel grossed a half-million landmark. dollars last year, “the best year since I’ve been here,” h e First word of the action remarked. There are about 150 filtered through Friday after­ guests and 70 employes — many noon when the hostelry’s bar, of both categories elderly. He kitchen, dining room and pool began there as a cook in 1940. room were ordered closed. The Schenk has remarked that he tenants were not officially told has been unable to get financing what was happening. from either Augusta or Lewiston Robert Acheson, son o f banks. His attorney, Ralph mortgage holder Mrs. Mary L. Farris Jr. acknowledged that Acheson, was in the lobby, Schenk Friday was "sick over directing traffic and trying to the whole thing.” answer questions he said he “It is with deepest regret, due “really didn’t know the answers to circumstances beyond his to.” control that Mr. Schenk will be A policeman was on guard in unable to continue with th the lobby, too, to prevent, in operation of the A g „ c t G the words of attorney Sumner House,” Farris said. 1 a Lipman, ‘‘anything from going He added that *‘a' lot out of the hotel that belonged things added up to big thi^n to the hotel.” and forced the issue ngs Closed Supreme Court Justice Donald a Massachusetts com nA S said W. Webber, acting as a Superior owns the BradfoMP»y,'tU Court justice, granted the re­ Boston had express-,,11? ?' i” The Augusta House went into receivership Friday, quest for temporary receiver­ last summer in i lnterest and the bar, kitchen, dining room and pool room were’ ship against the Capitol City hotel, but it was i\aSlng tIle closed. This is the chained-off entrance to the bar off Hotel Co. Inc., one of two firms irawn. vas ]ater with- the lobby. (KJ Photo by Roach) involved in the operation and ownership of the historic hotel. tContinued On Pair. „ age 2—Col. 4) —KJ Photo by Roach Lamps surrounded by would-be buyers at the Augusta House Augusta House goes by bits and pieces By BETTY POTTER The old dining room was stacked Friday with furniture, KJ staff writer linens and a huge pile of wastebaskets. Paint chips hung from . hhv t pern cd with activity once again the ceiling and only one of the original chandeliers remained The Augusta House lobby . in place. Bare bulbs provided the lighting. Friday, but the setting was Pg and mnns o{ Everything in that room has been sold, including the mg A well-worn rug was littereu ■ people Stood by just waiting to get.a barga y b (10 cents a yard). soldVUhy0 "ft‘marked th" en“d d^“orT^ere* won't be All the kitchen equipment went on the first day: A big bread mixer for $175, a small mixer for $25, the ranges went for $25 a toothpick left kv tho time the big ball hits this building on Wednesday,” WlhJ menworbng for the auction people apiece and so on. said. The chandeliers ranged in price. Two sold for $60 apiece, The magnificent oid Augusta House which once catered to one sold for $100 and the rest went for $37.50. Captain’s chairs state legislators, visiting dignitaries and the elite of Augusta, sold for $38 and mate’s chairs for $37. r^No^ ? I’ad fer^’tle capital city 141 years. The Casco-Northern banking firm now owns the site. (Continued on Page 2—Col. 6) Nearly.. arly gone down and the crane is hooking onto the sign atop the The crane in the background is mostly hidden, so it down and the crane is hooking onto the sign atop the Tht> crane in the background is mostly hidden, so 1t hostelry. All that’s left is the outside two aa looks as though the elderly Augusta House has grown hostelry. i\11 that's left is the outside two II and looks a!! though the elderly t\ugusta Ho.use has grown theythey will go probably today.today. (KJ!KJ Photo by Roach)Roach> antennae. NtUNot so. The old structure 1.IS nearly torntorn Augusta House - part of the convention scene By KARLENE K. HALE through the lobby and the hospitality to the armory,” Schenk said. Staff Writer rooms over the years. "There was never "I remember one time giving Sen. any fighting, or vandalism, or trouble. Just Margaret Chase Smith and a group a AUGUSTA — Future governors, power­ a lot of people staying up late and having a ride. They were speculating on what ful senators, presidential hopefuls and lot of fun.” John Kennedy must have had to give small-town delegates — as manager of the Back then, before the Augusta Civic Lyndon Johnson to be vice presi­ old Augusta House, Richard Schenk met Center was built, conventions were held at dent. Johnson was a man who didn't them all, laying on service and courtesies, the Augusta State Armory, then spilled take second place to anyone, they food and drink. into the city's schools and other public said,” Schenk recalled. "Generally speaking, convention dele­ buildings for smaller meetings. "A very, very lovely person,” is gates were good people, easy to please," Activity centered around the Augusta the way Schenk describes former Sen. said Schenk, 67, who started at the Augusta House in the evenings. Smith, a Republican. "And she has a House as a bellboy in 1940, then ran the "We had a full-time staff of 125, tremendous memory,” he added. place from 1957 to 1971. It was torn down and 125 part-time staff that we could For years, Schenk said, Republican and in 1974. call on,” Schenk said, "if you had "They all had fun,” he said of the adequate staff, there were no problems. See: AUGUSTA hundreds of conventioneers who -passed "We used to provide courtesy cars Page 12 Augusta House — part of the convention scene ► FROM PAGE ONE registered Republican. Democratic conventions alike were held either in Bangor “Anyone in the hotel business was not to partisan,” ' or Portland. Augusta was never considered. he said. “I think I registered as a Republican so I could In the late 1950s, he recalled, former Augusta vote once for someone in a primary.” legislator Russell Brown was chairman of the Republi­ When a convention was not in town, the hotel was the can Convention Committee. He was instrumental in hub of activity when the Legislature was in getting conventions to come here, Schenk said. session. “Conventions are a great help to a city and to the “Years ago, the old Augusta House was the place for economy,’’ he said. “We had information from the all the lobbyists and the legislators,” Schenk said. “A National Chamber of Commerce that a delegate would lot of legislation was passed in the lobby.” spend three times the . price of their room and Certain lobbyists and powerful legislators almost meals while they were at a convention.’’ always could be found in the same spots, he said. There was “tremendous” support for Augusta as a “They had their little chairs and their little places where they did business,” Schenk said. convention site, Schenk said, from city officials, the “Louis Jalbert. He would take time to read and school department and everyone else who would be understand the state budget. That’s how he knew as affected. much as he did, I don’t think he had a “They were willing to provide extra police and fire room, but he was in the hotel a lot, talking, visiting with protection, anything,” Schenk said. “Of course, the lobbyists,” Schenk said of the late representative when Sen. Hubert Humphrey came and spoke, that from Lewiston. broke the budget, in terms of police protection.” The Augusta House also served as the governor’s Months before the conventions rolled into town, the mansion for awhile. committees would book rooms — at least 125 at When Gov. Clinton Clauson died in office, Senate the 200-room Augusta House. President John Reed became governor. Reed told Some rooms were set aside for special functions, the Clauson family they could stay at the Blaine House particularly hospitality suites for gubernatorial and as long as they wanted, Schenk said. congressional candidates. “Reed set up his executive suite at the Augusta House. In 1952, when there were three candidates running for He had his aides conducting the business of state right governor in the Republican primary — Neil Bishop, there at the hotel.” Burton Cross and Leroy Hussey — it was Schenk’s job When asked if he would like to be back at the old to make sure there was no favoritism. place during this weekend’s Republican Convention, “The hotel had to make sure the hospitality rooms Schenk declined. were equal in size and in access,” said Schenk, a “That’s for a younger person,” he said. AUGUSTA. MAINE WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18,1981 Page 13

The Augusta House in an undated photo. Opened in 1831, the landmark hotel was razed in the 1970s to make room for a bank. (KJ file photo) 'Lost Augusta' Group hopes to spark interest in landmarks

By DEBBIE SLINE School (1900) and the Bond House, circa 1805. That house, lo­ KJ staff writer cated on State Street, was the first brick house built in the city. The society believes an inventory must be made of all such The Kennebec Historical Society will launch a search tonight landmarks and Douin suggested that Mayor David N. Elvin for “Lost Augusta” in an effort to spark renewed interest in could create a committee to survey historic buildings in Augus­ local landmarks. ta. Society President Anthony Douin said the group hopes through this meeting to promote public interest in the preserva­ Eventually, Douin hopes, a historic preservation ordinance tion of Augusta’s historical buildings. will be possible. He admits, though, that such a measure may be “The challenge is: Can we in Augusta save as well as we can difficult to establish in Augusta. destroy?” Douin said Tuesday. “It’s tricky, because when you talk about a historic preserva­ tion ordinance, you’re actually talking about zoning, which has Douin said historic preservation has been difficult in Augusta, never done well in Augusta.” because the city lacks zoning or preservation ordinances. He Several unsuccessful attempts were made in the 1960s to con­ noted that several old landmarks have been razed recently, in­ trol development through a comprehensive zoning ordinance. cluding the former Dirigo Building on Western Avenue and the The only zoning in Augusta today is that affecting development Milliken house on Melville Street. within the state capitol complex, which is regulated by an indi­ “I think the failure is because we're really operating in a vidual planning commission. vacuum,” Douin said. “There are no procedures or methods to go about saving these buildings.” The possibility of creating an effective historic preservation ordinance will be discussed tonight by Earle Shettleworth Jr., Douin claims Augusta is the only major Maine city which director of the Maine Historic Preservation Commission, and doesn’t have a preservation ordinance or active local land­ Dr. Debra Thompson of the Bangor Historic Preservation Com­ marks group. He noted Bangor has such an ordinance, while in mission. The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. session at the Hill Portland, historic buildings often are saved by Greater Port­ House conference room, State Street. land Landmarks Inc. Besides focusing public interest on Augusta’s landmarks, “Augusta has none of these things,” Douin said. “This meet­ Douin said the meeting is designed to make the society a more ing is like testing the wind to see if there is any interest. active organization. The 40-member society has been hand­ “Augusta, although it has lost a lot, still has a lot of nice build­ icapped in the past by a lack of funds and headquarters, but ings left.” Douin hopes those problems will be eliminated soon. He mentioned, for example, that the old Bond Brook Feed He said the society, which now stores its artifacts in the Hill Store on the Bond Brook Road is believed to date back to the House attic, will consider whether to establish a headquarters late 18th Century, possibly 1789. ,The store now serves as head­ in a building on Oak Street. The group also hopes this spring to quarters for a local club known as the NSKK. acquire funds by selling some items from its collection which Other buildings he said should be saved include the Nash are unrelated to Augusta’s history.

« 4* Kennebec Journal / FILES Early photo of Augusta House with two entrances show a handful of men, presumably state legislators, posing on one stair, while two women watch from afar. Remembering the Augusta House

By CAY GALLANT turn of the century, were escorted to a table of balanced The late Ruth Henderson, women’s editor of the KJ Contributor beauty, sparkling crystal glasses, polished silverware, Kennebec Journal, resided at the Augusta House and and linen. termed herself a permanent guest. There also EB. 11, 1974, IS A DATE IN THE HISTORY The menu would consist of several courses. One were other retirees who made their home at the hotel. of Augusta that brought sadness to its example from that earlier day included oyster on the Writing of the Augusta House, Ruth Henderson told residents. half snell or quartered melon, Fish timbale with cream of the famous people who had registered in the past; of FIt was the day the grand old lady of hotels, the sauce, spring lamb or filet mignon, mashed potatoes, Hannibal Hamlin, Holman Day when he filmed Rider Augusta House, went down to dust, never to rise cauliflower, apricot salad, Choice of biscuit, yeast Of The King Log, Ben Ames Williams, Gen. John J. again. bread, or brown bread, and ice cream or lady cake for Pershing, and many of the greats of history. After the dust had settled and the last of debris was dessert. carted away, a stillness crept over the city that evening. Passengers in cars looked with disbelief at the vacant N 1831, THE AUGUSTA HOUSE WAS lot. The chill of the February night didn’t seem to actually built as a home for legislators, two years bother the people standing and mourning what once after the cornerstone of the State House was laid. stood as a sentinel to the city of Augusta. The IIt became a part of the political arena. Prior to 1831, the 143-year-old Augusta House had gone. Maine Legislature had always met in Portland. The small loyal group began to disperse. Upon The first manager of the Augusta House was Thomas leaving, an elderly gentleman sighed: “A lot of Stevens of Gardiner, who invited 160 guests to a gala memories, a lot of memories, but at least I got a picture dinner party to celebrate the city’s new hotel. The first post card of the way she looked.” editor of the Kennebec Journal, Luther Severance, was A colorful post card of the 1960s depicts the Augusta among the invited. House as a graceful Federal-design building of six The hotel was open only for the legislative floors. Its entrance displayed three columns on each season. side of the steps. These pillars supported a large cornice It was said that more legislation was discussed in circling a top balcony where the American flag was on heated arguments in the rooms of the Augusta House display. The proud brass rails that adorned the central than on the floor of the State House. Temperance and steps gave a prestigious welcome. slavery were great topics of the times. Maine granite formed the building’s base, and Years rolled on without change at the Augusta House off-white bricks reached the top to a frieze, frosting-like until the Civil War began. It was then the lawns of the design, topping the entire structure. Capitol became camping grounds for the Maine The sign atop the roof could be seen from many regiments. In order to accommodate relatives of directions with the lettering of the “Augusta House.” soldiers, the Augusta House was enlarged and Two large elm trees guarded the front. opened all year long. The back of the post card reads: “The Augusta Fifty-four years later a political bloc was almost House located in Maine’s Capital City, finest dining successful in having Portland restored as the seat of room in Maine, recommended by Duncan Hines, An government. One of the reasons cited was the lack of Acheson Hotel.” proper housing for the increasing number of The front door of the Augusta House was never legislators. locked, welcoming guests in the fashion of old New Augusta banker Charles Hitchborn proposed the England. enlargement of the Augusta House again, and a bill making Augusta the permanent capital eventually ooking back over the years, the passed in 1911. Augusta House changed quite a bit. When it The Augusta House endeared itself to the community was first built in 1831, there were only three through the years with social gatherings, dances, Lfloors and six huge chimneys to accommodatewedding the receptions, and luncheons for the Kiwanis and bedroom stoves and fireplaces. There were two Rotary clubs. The hotel became a hub for small and HEN AUGUSTA CELEBRATED ITS Postcard shows Augusta House entrances on the front of the hotel, with ornate large conventions. 100th year in 1897, many people returned on rotary. The back says it was balconies above each entrance. From one of those In 1932 the late Conrad Kennison the first radio for “old home week” and stayed at the "recommended by Duncan balconies President Teddy Roosevelt made a dramatic station in the capital at the Augusta House. AugustaW House. Ladies in elaborate gowns escorted by Hines,” and could be reached by speech in 1902. The studio was located in the rear of the hotel. men in formal dress met in the lobby for the phone at May Fair-3-3821. When the railroad came to Augusta in 1851, guests In 1939, the Augusta House was renovated to “cope festivities. were brought to the Augusta House via an elegant with modern times,” and a cocktail lounge was added. A small portion of one of the speeches they would buckboard with a proud team of horses. James Acheson, who owned many hotels, known as the hear that day was this: “Augusta, may it never lose the When guests entered the hotel, an order was given to Acheson Chain, leased the Augusta House in 1941. impress of its founders; material developments and a lackey who would take wood for heat to their rooms, Through his administration, the hotel flourished and material possessions do not constitute a great city. It is along with candles for light and soapstones to warm the became the place to go and gather for tourists, in the heart of man to see the dignity of this city is not beds. Later gaslight took the place of candles and still servicemen, and local residents. diminished by greed, and self-interest. May it be later electricity. After Acheson’s death in 1963, Richard Schenk entrusted in the future to generations who will take care When electric cars (trolleys) entered Augusta, an became owner and manager, carrying on the traditions of our beloved beautiful Augusta.” elegant waiting room was erected beside the Augusta of the Augusta House until its demise in 1974. The family-style year round hotels have slowly House. It was advertised that electric cars came by the “Luncheon At The Augusta House” became a disappeared from our modern day. Augusta House every 15 minutes. noontime habit over a local radio station. Lakewood The giants of Maine, such as the Poland Spring The maids wore freshly starched uniforms with white stars and celebrities staying at the hotel were interviewed Hotel, the old Somerset, The Belgrade Hotel, and the caps while waiting on tables. Spotless high-collared prior to lunch. Personalities of the community would Augusta House and others leave us with a memory and uniforms were worn by the busboys. Guests, near the air their interests on many of the programs. a post card to remind us they did exist. Kennebec Journal 150th Anniversary Edition, Augusta, Maine, Saturday, July 12, 1975 — D-3

Line drawing of Augusta House, reproduced from an 1856 menu Augusta House

Reprint, July 30,1947 More Laws Made In Augusta House Than Capitol, History Indicates

More laws have been made and more Reuel Williams was president of the State Street and 100 feet deep, the build­ men have been elevated to high office in company and Thomas Stevens of ing was painted a drab free stone color, Maine from the smoke-filled rooms of Gardiner, formerly of Massachusetts, with Brown stone trimmings. There the Augusta House than in any other was the manager of the completed hotel were 120 rooms “with the appointments Maine building — including the State which opened for business December 29, and conveniences of modern first-class House. 1831. hotels.” It was 1934 ... Mr. & Mrs. J. A. Corkum, in Many years ago a prominent Maine By 1864 the need for more accommoda­ The expense of the building and partnership with their daughter Beatrice, politician, who should know, made this tions had become evident. Throngs of furnishings was about 865,000. Originally opened the Accessory Shop, aptly named for remark, half in fun and half in earnest. people had gathered here during the it had cost $26,000 to build the hotel in featuring hats, scarves, handbags, and ac­ He was probably more than 50 per cent war, filling hotels to overflowing. 1831. cessories. Success brought expansion — to in­ correct, however. Some of the more enterprising clude dresses, coats, lingerie, and sportswear The Augusta House was built in 1831 to Augustans decided to build a new hotel When the building was rebuilt in 1865, the association was greatly in debt and it — and then, like Topsy, we just "kept on grow­ house the legislators who were members which should be “kept as a first class ing!" The shop moved to its larger, present of the first Legislature to meet in house.” Since funds were not readily mortgaged the property to Joseph H. Williams and George W. Stanley for location on Water Street in Gardiner in 1946, Augusta in the winter of 1832. available the city agreed to subscribe for allowing us to branch out into all fashion lines. two-fifths of the amount required which $23,000. The mortgage fell due in 1868 The Augusta House has weathered 116 and the association sold the right to re­ Eight years later the Accessory Shop was sold years of Legislatures and the conven­ was not to exceed $60,000. to Edward R. Wehrwein, Bea’s husband. tions which follow them. “Whenever two The plan included the erection of a deem to a company of men for about people get together they plan a conven­ house on the Hartford lot at the junction $1,000. tion in Augusta’’ is very true since a of Green, Grove, Water and Gage In 1910, the Augusta House was again capital city seems to be a magnet for Streets, looking down on Water Street. enlarged during a controversy to move every association, club and organization Investigation showed that the expense the capital of the state to Portland. One in the state. would exceed the sum which could be of the chief arguments raised in favor of During the summer of 1831, however, provided, however. the move by Portland was the inade­ the citizens of Augusta had only one Major Harrison Baker, who owned the quacy of hotel accommodations in thought — how they would accommodate Augusta House, was persuaded to sell it, Augusta. the legislators. however, for $16,000. Again a prominent Augusta man came Boarding houses were provided, hotels The building was remodeled, enlarged to the rescue and provided money to were enlarged and renovated, and the and refurnished and was reopened for enlarge the Augusta House. This was a Augusta House was built by an en­ business January 1, 1865, with Major deciding factor in the defeat of the pro­ In November 1961 Ed and Bea opened Town n Country Fashions, one of terprising group who incorporated a Baker as the manager. posed removal of the state capital to the original Augusta Plaza tenants. This popular shop was completely re­ firm for that purpose. Then 110 feet long across the front of Portland. novated in 1973, the same year that Greg Wehrwein, Ed and Bea's son, joined as Administrative Assistant. Yes, we've enjoyed our 41 years of serving Kennebec County with quality fashion reasonably priced, and we congratulate the Kennebec Journal on its celebration of 150 years of service! Ours has been a rewarding and most pleasant association; with that friendship as a basis, the future looks even better than "the good old days!"

Augusta House and waiting station This scene from a 1917 postcard shows the intersection of State and Grove Streets, and Western Avenue^The trolley at left is on Western Avenue; the one Old Augusta at right on State Street, whil£ a horse-drawn vehicle is approaching on Grove Street. The rooftop in the foreground is probably the street car waiting room that once stood beside the Augusta House. 8 Kennebec Journal, Augusta, Sat., January 19, 1974

Oldtime photo of Augusta House, looking south from Grove St. and Western Avenue Some magic moments relived

By RUTH HENDERSON he ad libbed without restraint. He was quite taken by interests. Of course Camden and environs were finally of all the gals. There were corsages for all the women shy and pretty little Ann and he plied Ann and her chosen for the “shooting” of that now gargantuan and also there were Margaret Smith shopping bags, Now that it is about to be razed out of existence and mother. Ivy, with questions. production. Much like Mr. Feeney's turnip, “It grew temptingly displayed in the lobby, which were awarded everyone says “Isn’t it too bad?’’ let us recall some of When he learned they had recently returned from and grew” and is still growing in the TV world. to the women with the lucky tickets. Very often the men the “good old days’’ of the 142-year-old Augusta House, England and that their favorite place there was the very The women who sojourned at the Augusta House dispensing the corsages would decorate us “perms,” just about the last of the old time Maine “Home away place he liked very much, he declared Ann was to be his while their husbands were making laws on The Hill much to our delight and their evident enjoyment. from Home” abodes. next wife and they were to go there on their were friendly with us “perms” and included us in many The steamship round of western steer beef vied in ; ; The Augusta House has afforded folks from all walks honeymoon! of their doings while in town. The friendships also exten­ popularity with the Maine seafood newburg, Swedish of life shelter and food, hotel living as to the individual's Jessel had stopped over at the Augusta House en route ded to their homes and many of us were invited to visit meatballs, deep dish chicken pie, baked red kidney • liking. to Lewiston, where he was to give a program for the with them. beans and many other goodies on the long tables at the Many people have made the hotel their permanent Jewish relief that evening. As he left the dining room, Of course there were women also serving in the kitchen entrance of the dining room. Dress was semi- home; some have stayed there regularly in the course he gave little blushing-pink Ann a kiss and renewed his Legislature and we got to know, appreciate and respect formal but the men were instructed to wear their fez. cA business, oVbevs have lusV sVoppeA onw vAgbV. And promise she was to bo No. ? Mrs. (r. J. them foe the roles they were carving out. Mrs. Jane The gigantic fez that hung over the front entrance of - there have been many who returned on their anniver­ Faye Emerson. Ah, there is a lovely person and we so Kilroy, still very much on deck, was always and still is the Augusta House during the Shriners’ big doings was saries, because they honeymooned at the Augusta did want to get an interview with her before she left for a breeze to meet up with. She has piled up a a three-footer in height and about two and a half feet House. City Hall, where she and Gary Merrill were giving a remarkable career through the years. across the bottom. It was made by Harry B. Jackson, One dear old couple, we recall, said they were there program that evening. Time after time we sent up word Mrs. Marguerite Smith, owner and operator of Smith co-chairman with Charles A. Crockett, for many years on their honeymoon and their eyes were shining as they to the 19 suite which had been redecorated in honor of Farms, can make the best apple pie. To that we can at­ general chairman. lived over those days and compared how it looked a her coming, we had been given to understand earlier. test because she used to bring them to Augusta during In 1971, 460 Shriners and their ladies attended that good 50 years back and how it looked on their return And time after time she sent back word putting us off. her term in the Legislature. She and three other, or was gala occasion at the Augusta House. visit. Finally, as the last straw, she alighted from the elevator it four other women, shared one of the No. 11 suites. In But to go further back in history teUs us the Augusta Fifty years back there was no center front entrance, and sailed through the lobby like the Queen Mary under the southeast corner of the big living room there was a House played a major role > in all big events down but rather two entrances, with steps leading down to the full steam with nary a look in our direction as we tagged big round table, covered over, when not in use, with through the years, including the wars from the Civil sidewalk. Over each entrance on the front side of the along after her as far as the door. cheese cloth. War down. house, facing State Street, were balconies of ornate Something we learned later might have had some­ Once the cloth was removed there was the table, all Staff writers, taking a stab at the Augusta House in its design. And the elm trees were tall and spindly. thing to do with why the lovely Faye kept putting us off. set up ready to use. Sometimes when they were broiling declining years, said legend has it that more legislation It was from the roof of one of those front door entran­ Skitch Henderson is a former husband of Miss Emerson a specially succulent steak the aroma would seep out was passed in the rooms of the Augusta House than in ces that Theodore Roosevelt held forth in speechmaking and his about-to-be new wife or maybe already Mrs. around the door frame and waft along the hall. “MM- the legislative chambers. Many of the women who came in 1902. It was 73 years ago that the advocate of “car­ Skitch Henderson was named Ruth! mm. The gals are having steak tonight.” to Augusta with their lawmaking husbands lived at the rying a big stick and speaking softly” stopped off, on Remember those days Peyton Place producers were Some contrast to an episode of several years before Augusta House during that time and they enjoyed their one of his many trips through to Bar Harbor to speech- looking around in Maine for the location of that movie? about which we were told. One of the “perms” was temporary home in many ways. make. Wayne Buxton, then associated with the DED, had tip­ cooking some string beans, garden fresh, gift from a During one session of the Legislature, we recall, the The Augusta House supplied the meeting and eating ped us off that Jerry Wald, the famous Hollywood friend. The management phoned up and informed her women — who called themselves the Lobby Club — needs for countless organizations over the years. producer,was coming to town in the course of sizing up the smell was seeping out into the hall and she needs gathered in the room of a member and there spent the Pouring over old account books stored in a basement potential locations for the movie and he was to be must desist! How times did change down through the time doing needlework and other handwork. We were closet we saw the names of many organizations which having breakfast on a Sunday morning at no less a years-. invited by times, to join them for the hot doughnut and met there many years. There also, of course, were wed­ place than the Augusta House. One of the most colorful events, by far, was the Ken­ coffee hour. ding receptions, birthday parties, State Department With Wayne and Wald would also be another tycoon in nebec Valley Shrine Club annual ladies night and poten­ In early March 1965 one night 16 women living at the gatherings, and so on. the movie world having to do with the coming produc tate's reception, smorgasbord and dance. It was usually hotel, enjoyed a bus ride with State Rep. Reta Baker of Many recall how the Augusta House played an impor­ tion. So that morning we met Jerry Wald and his party. held the first Saturday night in February. And how we East Winthrop, as chauffeur. “A good time was had by tant part in their early lives. We learned they had looked over several locations, even “perms” loved it! all.” For instance; Philip Arthur Emerson, who lives in including our home town, Fairfield. Strangely enough, We would plan to get down to the lobby in ample time The dean of the Augusta House Lobby Club, so called, Pittston with his wife, remembers when he as a lad Jerry, a small and surprisingly young man, but keen of to find a good “front row” seat so we could watch the might well have been Mrs. Harold R. Bragdon of worked in the Augusta House as a bellhop. The schools eye and quick of smile, talked about his family and their folks when they came in and later see the pretty gowns Perham because Mr. Bragdon, even as far back as 1967, in the country closed in the winter. Mr. E. said his held the House long-term record. It was his 10th term duties at the hotel included winding the clocks, hopping and the Bragdons, with one exception, had lived at the bells and driving the buckboard to the railroad station hotel during the sessions. Now he is serving his 13th to deliver the home returning guests and to welcome term. new arrivals. That was 60 or more years ago. Remember chic little Mrs. Elmont S. Tyndale of York The tips the legislators gave him and the wages the County, whose husband served in the Legislature and boy earned at the hotel paid for his clothing. He walked also as lobbyist for the Maine Truck Owners Assn.? during the school years to Gardiner High School to fur­ She must have made hundreds of sandwiches during ther his education. the Truck Owners’ open house in No. 311. Dido is the When the lights went out finally early last February, name of the big white poodle Alice Tyndale used to take the neighbors missed the signs of life and bemoaned out for exercise. They made an attractive picture as that fact “it is all so dark and so cold looking.” they raced through the lobby, Dido in the lead and Alice When the Augusta House closed its doors, few were following. Dido was a great favorite with all the folks in left around to watch the proceedings. It was a drastic the lobby and enjoyed their attention after her exercise move indeed, when the old telephone switchboard, a period. relic in itself, was removed from behind the desk and Without a doubt the last organization to meet in din­ carted away. ner session at the Augusta House before the padlock Some of the folks were guessing as to what year the was attached to the front door was the Augusta Business PBX was installed behind the desk in the lobby. Several and Professional Women's Club the Thursday evening came up with the year 1920, although it could not be before that fateful Feb. 5. verified through the telephone men who unhitched the It cannot be said of the Augusta House, that it, like the switchboard, hoisted it over the big counter and hauled Chicago Sherman House “went out like a champion.” it away. A funny thing happened Jan. 15 forenoon. A crew was And speaking of the telephone switchboard we find hurling strips of deer blue carpeting and yards and our thoughts going toward the “hello” girls who yards of rug backing material out of an upper story win­ operated the service over a period of many years. They dow on the Augusta House main house south side. got to know the frequent guests, specially the members People were buying the items hardly before some of the of the Legislature. The girls behind the switchboard mounds settled on the snow bank. were always on the job, knew how to quickly get in Now to get a souvenir of the Augusta House! Fine. So touch with folks for incoming calls. we bought quite a sizeable length of the pretty blue car­ There were Molly, Mabie, Hazel, two of them, Stella peting, which we recall when much of it was laid not too and many others. They always regarded the “perms” far back in the better priced rooms. So now we have a as members of the “family,” and might let us in on relic of the old hotel, but it would not fit in with the ar­ some of the lobby doings, what lady of the Legislature rangement of our present living quarters and so it is was looking especially lovely that day in a striking en­ beneath a factory-made braided rug. Anybody for a nice semble; what Solon's wife was bringing their grand­ sizeable piece of blue carpeting? children to Augusta to visit at the State House and see “Computer may run hotel of the future” was the Grandpa in action. heading over a Dec. 27 story of the recent National Where else but in a family type hotel where one had Hotel and Motel Exposition. Gone then will be the days lived for many years and recognized anything unusual of old-time hotel family living; the joys, the woes, the about the ordinary trend of events, would one come sadness and yes, by times, the madness of being a down to the lobby a Sunday mid-forenoon between the member of a big family of heterogeneous origin. Even while this story is being read the hundreds of breakfast and the luncheon hour and see, surrounded by a bevy of smiling waitresses, Georgie Jessel, the windows of the old Augusta House may have been famous dealer in rancor? broken in, to make safer the mission for the wrecker's iron ball. He was in extra good humor that morning, though, as 1902; President Theodore Roosevelt speaks from Augusta House porch roof. Central Maine Newspapers New England People Sunday, July 5, 1998 B5 Grand hotels for our out-of-state friends

ecently, friends from out of state visited with us and they had fun trying to pro­ Days Rnounce some of the Maine lakes as printed on a map. Of Maine’s 20 gone by largest lakes, Mooselookmeguntic, Pemadumcook and Ambajejus were Cay Gallant tongue twisters. In looking up some of the hard to pronounce lakes, I found a bit of history that I would like to share with today’s readers. es. Just before the turn of the centu­ The Hotel Maranacook located in ry, Maine took great pride in adver­ Winthrop was once a busy place for tising to the city folks from Boston the tourist trade, as were several of and New York, and other cities in the hotels which became so popular the Midwest, “how great the fish­ beyond the turn of the century on ing, the hunting and fresh air” were the shores of Cobbosseecontee. away from the coal-producing cities The large hotels of long ago have out of state. The fine lakes stocked given way to convenience with the with sturgeon, bass and salmon modern motels, bed and breakfast enticed the fishermen. accommodations and campgrounds In those days, trains would con­ for today’s recreational vehicles. nect with wilderness hotels which I remember, when growing up, outdid themselves in conveniences, there were little cabins along the such as electric lights, pure spring highway in which each was individ­ water and fresh air to cure hay ually furnished with essentials, that fever. Young people of Maine were basic to a person’s sleeping enjoyed the big tips which came needs. While most of these dated their way for being helpful as dining structures have for the most part room workers or a porter of some disappeared, we can still appreciate sort. Families would often stay the the traveling accommodations of whole summer and return to the that time, as seen through old pic­ big city with the beginning of the ture postcards and the precious school fall term. memories of grandparents or trav­ Many of these old hotels of days els later on our own. gone by have been taken down or The grand hotels and inns from destroyed by fire. Today, cars rather out of the past strove to please than trains bring tourists to the their guests with the best of ser­ state. vice, and the kind of comfort they Rangeley, at one time, had its would expect within the confines of Mooselookmeguntic House which their own state. Many visitors who served the fisherman or the hunter came to Maine would often stay in of fall. At the turn of the century, our local area before boarding the large hotels were gracing the north­ train for their summer sojourn. In ern woods and mountains. The Hallowell, the Worster House was a Moosehead Lake area was a popu­ popular stopover. The Augusta lar spot for the summer visitor and House proved to be another favorite sporting types. place to stay before the tourist ven­ The Augusta House. In those early summers, the tured to the lake area. A driving steamship companies were taking park was enjoyed by many visitors passengers to picturesque islands. I to the capital city. And visiting never knew there was once a hotel Maine’s Capitol building was a on Peaks Island named the Corona­ great delight for those who stayed do ... at that time in history it was at the Augusta House. Just before the turn of the century, Maine took great pride a place of luxury. It too has left with Recently, I came across a thank the sands of time. Later, other you letter to my great Aunt Bessie regions of Maine became “the” pop­ when friends had visited her in in advertising to the city folks from Boston and New York, ular place of the moment. The Augusta. With the letter, Aunt Poland Spring House enchanted its Bessie had placed the picture of the and other cities in the Midwest, “how great the fishing, the visitors with the cold, fresh Augusta House and the riding park sparkling waters of natural springs they had enjoyed. hunting and fresh air” were away from the coal-producing which were said to have healing Memories of another time, a spe­ powers. This was a beautiful hotel cial vacation so long ago. cities out of state. The fine lakes stocked with sturgeon, bass which died in fire in 1975. Another regal hotel for summer Cay Gallant, who grew up in and salmon enticed the fishermen. residents was the venerable Bel­ Augusta and is a graduate of grade, overlooking part of a chain of Emerson College, was the first lakes that took on an international woman radio program director in note of acclaim. It too became ash- the Ce. Life *** Central Maine Newspaper A look into the past

IRON MINE HILL FILLING STATION, : : GARDINER, MAINE Augusta’s once-famous hotel Guff, lydrJ and Cities Service Ga*. A. I. McCausland. Prpp. Pennsylvania Oils known as the Augusta House, top, was located on State Street near

the west side rotary. A large build­ ing that now houses Preti,

Cigars Flaherty law offices, along with several other offices sits on that 850 piece of land. Candy.

: Phone

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The Iron Mine Hill Filling Dinners.

Station on Brunswick Avenue in Tobacco Gardiner was a popular spot in the 1940’s to grab a soft drink and Regular hang out, according to James Dorso of Gardiner, who provided these postcards. Rooms with Modern Conveniences Electric Lights Camps and Camping Grounds