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19th Century Inscription Rock

Sandy River, Strong ME

Overview

Along the Sandy River in Strong Maine is a large outcrop of meta-sedimentary rock with narrow bands of instrusive white quartz. The outcrop overlooks the river and provides a picturesque view of the river which is suitable for outdoor picnics, boating and fishing. The popularity of this location is attested to by the hundreds of names carved into the rock’s surface from the 1860’s through the 1930’s. The bulk of the dates cluster in the 1877-1890 period. Several surnames are found repeatedly amongst the names an appear to date from different years suggesting that multiple generations of the same family visited the location over time. The house carving depicts what could be either a small farm house or a seasonal camp. One inscription is inscribed “Lewiston ME” suggesting that at least some of the visitors were within a day’s travel of the rock.

The inscriptions show the full range of carving techniques in use in the late 19th century. Some are straight foward basic block lettering, others are carved in relief, some have the rock surface smoothed (prepared), and the most intrique are inscriptions carved in fancy scripts by professionally trained carvers (possible gravestone carvers, immigrant stone carvers, or stone masons?). All of the inscriptions were carver with metal chisels. These chisels would had to been carried to location for this express purpose.

Strong was served by a narrow guage railroad line which originated in Farmington, Maine and had branch lines to Kingfield, Phillips, and the Rangeley Lakes area. The rail lines operated between 1879 and 1935/36. In the early 20th century the various lines were merged into the Sandy River and Rangeley Lakes RR. The principle business of the RR was hauling freight for various lumber related mills and providing passenger service for tourists visiting the region. In the 1890’s, the RR operate three round trip passenger trains between Farmington and the Rangeley Lakes for tourists.(For more information www.srrl-rr.org)

The dated inscriptions for the most part coincide with the years of operation of the RR. The working hypothesis is the inscriptions were carved by men working on the RR and/or related lumber industries and by tourists. The inscription rock was within easy walking distance of Strong RR station. The RR would have employed stone masons and other skilled labor to built bridge abutments / piers, stone culverts, etc for the rail line. This could account for the unusual highly skilled workmanship of some of the inscriptions. The location was ideal for various outdoor activities would have been attractive to tourists.

Special thanks to Judy and Dave Byrant of the Ancients Ones of Maine (living history group) for bringing this site to our attention. The exact location of the site has been withheld to protect it from vandalism. Qualified historians or researchers should contact us directly for further information about the site including exact location.

CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE
It is difficult to see some of inscriptions well in the thumb nail images shown below. Please click on the image to view the larger photo with much better detail and clarity.

Inscription Rock, Sandy River, Strong Maine

“Inscription Rock” overlooking the Sandy River in Strong, Maine

Photo 1 - Drawing

1-1/2 story central hall house with two chimneys, 3 x 4 pane windows (6 over 6). 19th century camp or farm house?

Photo 2 - Inscription

F MR

1886

Photo 3 - Drawing

Unidentified

Photo 4 - Inscription

F. E. Clark

1879

Photo 5 - Inscription

F H C

Note: Crudely carved straight line letters in an outline box. Geometric design to left of 1st letter.

Photo 6 - Inscription

Frank Bell

MIC.

09 [1909?]

NOTE: “Frank” is carved in caligraphy script while the remainder is competent carved but standard lettering.

Photo 7 - Inscription

T E BELL 1881

Note: carved in low relief inside rectangular box. Small symbol above “BE” - possibly scissors or crossed swords.

Photo 8 - Drawing

Unidentified symbol

Note: Oval surface was prepared either to create a smooth surface or expose a darker color surface. Some later intrusive carvings.

Photo 9 Inscription

R A N

18?0 [1880 or 1890]

Note: Inscription is carved with straight lines with the exception of a crudely carved 0 in the date.

Photo 10 - Inscription

FRANK F. TOWLE

87. [1887]

FRED E. BREVY

LEWISTON

ME

Photo 11 - Inscription

1877

DR. J. B. Twaulle

A.S.M. B?LL

Note: Inside carved outline

Photo 12 - Inscription

D M

K L

     79 [1879]

Note: Carved in low relief inside of heart with crossed arrows.

Photo 13 - Inscription

1890

D A PO?LEP

Photo 14 - Drawing

[Logo or Seal design, inscription around outer edge is not decipherable except for a “W”]

[below]

J. M. L. 186 [date ?]

Photo 15 - Inscription

W P S

1931

Photo 16 - Inscription

  79 [1879]

KELLY

  +

CARL

Note: Carved in low relief with two hearts.

Photo 17 - Inscription

Wm. FARQUHARSON

1888

Photo 18 - Drawing (Unfinished)

Possibly a hammer & sickle design

Photo 19 - Inscription & Drawing

F. E. BeLL

[Bell drawing] May 7 1879

Note: Two different carvers

Photo 20 - Inscription

F E CLARK

May 6 1879

Photo 21 - Inscription

C.E.Dyer.

May 6 1879

Photo 22 - Inscription

G.S. PORTER

1888

Note: inside carved outline. Note 1891 date in upper right of photo.

Photo 23 - Inscription & Drawing

G.C. + L. H. BIRCH

[Christian Cross symbol]

NOTE: This is the only inscription foudn so far which reflects a married couple.

Photo 24 - Drawing

Two five spoke wheels [?] connected with a line

3-dimensional rectangular box

Photo 25 - Inscription

M M M

  A M

  1913

 

 

Copyright (c) 2005-2008, James E. Gage & Mary E. Gage. All Rights Reserved.