Brief Rockport History
1769
Once located in the township of Camden, which extended from Clam Cove to Ducktrap River and ten miles inland, Rockport, or "the River", was settled in 1769 by Robert Thorndike. Rockport’s first settler obtained land from the Twenty Associates and built a small cabin near the mouth of the harbor.
1812
Eighteen dwellings dotted the shores of Goose River Village. The sole industry was the salt works, on Beauchamp Point, owned by General Estabrook. The "Granite Block" (the present Corner Shop) housed a general store and post office.
1838
William Carleton moved his business ventures from Camden ("the Harbor") to Rockport. This brought shipbuilding, lime burning, and ice exporting to the Goose River.
As Rockport’s first vessel, the 104-ton Lucy Blake, was sailing out of the harbor, the keel was being laid for the Tennessee, the first full-rigged ship at Eells Shipyard.
Under the Carleton Norwood shipyard flag, numerous vessels were constructed, including the largest square-rigger ever built and launched on Penobscot Bay, the Fredrick Billings.
1852
In this year, the good citizens of Goose River voted to officially change the name of the village to Rockport.
1880
Lime was king, and Rockport was one of the greatest lime-producing towns in America. Lime was quarried in the village area and in Simonton’s Corner.
The Joe Shepard, a narrow-gauge railroad, transported lime from the Corner to Rockport Village. The kilns burned night and day, 365 days a year.
The Lily Pond annual harvest of 50,000 tons of ice was shipped worldwide. Rockport Ice Company was known for its famous "Lily Pond Ice", which was so clear that one could read the New York Times through a cake of ice.
1891
The "Bridge Question" divided the towns of Camden and Rockport, and each town became a separate entity.
1892
The Camden-Rockport Street Railway added track to the existing Rockland Street Railway and built a power-house in Clam Cove.
1907
A fire starting in the lime sheds spread across the harbor to the ice houses and became the straw that broke the back of industry in Rockport. Neither industry was ever rebuilt, and the business decline of Rockport began.
During the height of its economic success, Rockport’s business block rivaled those of larger cities and included the first bank in the area.
The Megunticook Golf Club was established as the area’s first golf course and remains today a private golf club.
1920
Central Maine Power Company purchased the RTC Street Railroad and constructed the first amusement park in the area, known as Oakland Park.
1930-1940
Mary Louise Curtis established the Curtis Institute of Music Summer Colony. Musicians came from all over the world to study with renowned artists. Concerts were held in the Eells Boat Barn.
Rockport High School’s Seaside Wonderland Carnival was held at Rockport Harbor.
1950
Rockport’s first park, Walker Park, was built on lime deposits and named for Selectman Arthur Walker.
Maine Coast Artists was established by local artists and then renamed the Center for Maine Contemporary Art in 1999.
Aldermere Farm, owned and operated by Albert Chatfield, imported Belted Galloway cattle to Rockport.
1960
Camden and Rockport school systems consolidated to form Maine School Admistrative District 28.
Andre the Seal became a Rockport celebrity.
1970
Penobscot Medical Center, a 109-bed, full-service hospital, opened in Glen Cove.
Maine Photographic Workshop offered its first workshops and achieved status as Rockport College in 1996.
Lime Kiln Preservation Park was established at Rockport Harbor.
Bay Chamber Concert Series relocated to the Rockport Opera House.
1980-1990
Mary Lea Park was constructed in honor of Mary Louise Curtis Bok and Lea Luboshutz.
Cramer Park was dedicated to Mary Meeker Cramer and Ambrose Cramer for their tireless efforts in preserving local history.
The Rockport Garden Club sponsored a million-dollar restoration of the Rockport Opera House.
2000
Today, Rockport is a community of 3,209 residents who enjoy the ambience of living and working in a village that fosters the arts, industry, and ties to the historic past.