Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE – A project designed to educate the public on some of the city’s more notable historic landmarks is now complete, with the installation of signs throughout the community featuring an image and brief description of the property and what makes it so special.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
PLAQUES THAT NOW adorn properties throughout the community were first unveiled during a Sesquicentennial Committee meeting in 2008. Here, Rep. Patricia Sutherland, D-Chapman, and Ken Arndt, Presque Isle’s director of Planning and Development, look at two of the signs. Anyone interested in learning more about historic sites in the community can do so, either by taking a guided walking tour or venturing out on their own, for a day of exercise and learning as they learn interesting facts about some of the more noteworthy locations in the Star City.
The markers came about as the result of discussions on ways to attract people to Main St. and other areas of the city.
“We (city officials, members of the Presque Isle Historical Society and Downtown Revitalization Committee) were looking at different things – ways to bring attention to Main St. The Historical Society was already giving tours. We thought this was something that would help them out,” said George Howe, of the city’s Planning and Development Department.
Howe said anyone coming in as a sightseer will now have information readily available on various sites in and around downtown Presque Isle.
“Anyone interested in looking at and learning about the various destinations can step up to a building and see its historic significance,” said Howe.
Each sign was created by The Sign Place, said Howe, and includes an image of the property and a brief explanation of its importance in the community.
“The Historical Society, with help from Dick Graves, did the designing of the first – the historic fire station,” said Howe. “The signs give a brief history and include photographs supplied by Dick Graves.”
In all, about 28 signs now can be found throughout Presque Isle.
“They have been installed at various sites throughout town – ones with historical significance, such as the old firehouse and Vera Estey House,” said Howe.
Kim Smith, treasurer of the Presque Isle Historical Society and chair of the Sesquicentennial Committee, said the signage will aid individuals interested in taking an historic walking tour of the city. Smith, who has provided tours in the past to anyone interested, noted that some individuals had expressed an interest in making the rounds on their own. The new signs will allow for that.
“The plaques are primarily designed so that we can offer a self-guided tour, with a brochure. We will put the brochure out in the spring. Guided tours will begin in April,” said Smith. “The properties with plaques are those included on the guided tour as well.”
Brochures will be available at such places as the Presque Isle Area Chamber of Commerce and City Hall.
Smith said while the plaques allow individuals to take the tour at their own leisure, there was still at least one advantage to taking a guided tour.
“With the guided tour, you would get a bit more history than what could be included on the plaques,” explained Smith.
Smith said there are 28 plaques altogether.
“The oldest property with a plaque is the Episcopal Church (circa 1876), as it is the oldest public building still in existence in town,” said Smith.
Some plaques are attached directly to buildings, while others have been installed on posts.
“Some property owners allowed us to install plaques, directly attaching them to the buildings. At other locations, we placed the signs on posts,” said Howe.
Plaques appear on the following properties, listed in no particular order: The Cook (Glidden) House, 239 State St.; Canadian Pacific Railroad Depot, Corner Academy/Howard streets; Academy Training School, 28 Academy St.; St. John’s Episcopal Church, 52 Second St.; Mark & Emily Turner Memorial Library, 39 Second St.; State Street Baptist Church, 225 State St.; Congregational Church, 29 Church St.; City Hall/former hospital, 12 Second St.; Fred P. Stevens building, 431 Main St.; Allen building, 428 Main St.; MFX, 422 Main St.; Braden Theatre, 400 Main St.; Aroostook Valley Railroad Depot, Corner State/Riverside; Historic Fire Station, 11-17 Church St.; Wilder’s, 407 Main St.; Vera Estey House, 16 Third St.; Allen (Czosnek) House, northwest corner State and Third streets; Daggett/Downing/Tompkins House, 234 State St.; Downing Park, State to Academy; Phair/Freeman House, 21 Academy St.; Post Office, 23 Second St.; Presque Isle Opera House, 500 odd side block of Main St.; original site Northern National Bank, 454 Main St.; original site State Street Theater, State Street parking lot between Buck and Maine Public Service; original site Perry Opera House, 190 State St.; Phair Hotel/B&A Railroad, in parking lot by Wilder’s; boundary between Maysville/Presque Isle, railroad tracks at Main/Blake streets; and site of Cunningham Middle School, southeast corner of Third and Blake streets.
