RCHS hosts second segment of popular Canal Boat presentation

By Ed Pierce

Back in July when the Raymond-Casco Historical Society hosted a discussion and presentation about Canal Boats on Sebago Lake by historian Mike Davis at its museum in Casco, every seat in the house was filled as participants found the subject fascinating.

The steamboat Hawthorne travels through Songo Lock from
Sebago Lake into the Songo River in the 19th century. A
second presentation by historian Mike Davis about the 
early days of water transportation in the Lakes Region
will be offered at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 15 at the
Raymond Casco Historical Museum, 1 Shadow Lane
in Casco. COURTESY PHOTO 

Davis is returning at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Sept 15 to continue with a second segment of his presentation and RCHS organizers say interest is building once again to hear the former Assistant Director of the Bridgton Historical Society discuss 19th century water transportation in the Lakes Region of Maine.

“He last talked of the lumber and logging industry in the Sebago Lake district during the early era of the earliest settlers,” said Sue Pride of RCHS. “He talked about the transportation of logs, particularly the ‘Kings Pine’ from this area to Portland by other teams.”

He discussed having straight roadways with no sharp turns for hauling these pines, and shipping lumber and supplies by barge over Sebago Lake.

“Part II of his presentation will continue talking about the progress of using Sebago Lake and canals in making deliveries of goods possible throughout the area even when the lake was frozen,” Pride said.

She said Davis is such an engaging speaker with a great knowledge of history.

“His local stories and tall tales are sure to be enjoyed by all in attendance,” Pride said.

Copies and photos of the steamships will be available for purchase at the event.

RCHS President Frank McDermott said that canal boats in the 19th century carried all kinds of goods through the region, making it a lifeline and a connection to the outside world for Lakes Region residents.

“Really, the boats would bring anything that needed to be shipped such as lumber, food, or goods,” he said. “It was the quickest and most convenient way to move things to the Lakes Region. This included getting things out to places in the area that were not on the lake.”

McDermott says the upcoming presentation by Davis will be not only educational but also highly entertaining as well.

"It’s a really interesting topic,” he said. “Canal boats have wide appeal, and it is fun to learn more about the history of our area waterways.”

The second part of Davis’ presentation will be held at the RCHS grounds located at 1 Shadow Lane in Casco. The museum will be open early at 5 p.m. so participants can take advantage of all the RCHS facility has to offer free of charge.

To learn more, visit https://raymondcascohistoricalsociety.org/ or visit Raymond-Casco Historical Society on Facebook or call 207-655-6389.

The museum is open from noon to 3 p.m. May through October on Saturdays and Sundays. Most weekends there is a blacksmith working on site giving live demonstrations for museum guests. Group tours are also available by request. <