These 12 Houses In Maine From The 1930s Will Open Your Eyes To A Different Time
By Michelle|Published April 06, 2016
×
Michelle
Author
Michelle's life is a colorful map of exploration and adventure. From the iconic streets of New York to the sunny shores of Florida, the jagged coast of Maine to the rugged terrain of Montana, she's been fortunate to call some of America's most beautiful states home. Beyond the U.S., Michelle's wanderlust has taken her on a motorcycle journey through India, led her to teach English in Hanoi, and saw her studying Spanish in Guatemala. Michelle graduated with a communications degree from the S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University and in addition to a career in advertising has worked with OnlyInYourState since 2016, where her love for travel and storytelling converges. Alongside writing and exploring, Michelle finds joy in photography, staying active, and time with her family.
For questions, comments and inquiries please email: mstarin@onlyinyourstate.com.
Growing up in Maine means strong family values and friendships that have stood the test of time. For many of us, that time was marked by where we lived. Our home is where we laughed, cried, learned and opened our doors for anyone in the neighborhood that wanted a hot meal. Many of our homes have been in the family for generations and it’s a place where we all return to for comfort. It was the same back in the 1930s. These homes from the 1930s will give you a small glimpse into what life was like. For many, it’s not that different!
1. This is the farmhouse of a resettlement client in Waldo County, 1936.
This type of resettlement came just before the creation of the more official "Farm Security Administration (FSA)." Created in 1937 under the Department of Agriculture, it helped with rural rehabilitation, farm loans, and subsistence homestead programs.
The FSA relied on the cooperation between states and county offices to determine which clients needed loans that could not get the funding elsewhere. Farmers could use these loans to buy land, equipment, livestock, or seeds.
The overall goal of this type of assistance program was to see families become self-sufficient after the debilitating Depression that hit the rural areas the hardest.
2. An original hermit of Maine outside his home in Freeport, 1936.
While we've all heard the tale of the recluse (some might prefer to say "thief") living near North Pond as a hermit for 27 years, the man pictured here is the self-professed ACTUAL hermit of Maine. Fun fact: He created a musical instrument made up of two organs and a piano in one, the only orchestral organ of its type. At least, he claims.
Advertisement
3. The interior of the Hermit of Maine's home in Freeport, 1936.
This is another home that was part of the FSA's rural programs to help families become self-sufficient. It was optioned for the Resettlement Administration from the Federal Land Bank.
6. This mansion sits on Main Street in Rockland, 1937.
While this mansion was actually used by an antiques dealer, it is still in stark contrast to the resettlement programs happening throughout rural Maine at the time.
In the 1800s and early 1900s, hitching posts were quite common. Saddle horses, horses pulling carriages and teams pulling wagons were "parked" by tying reins to these posts.
8. The cozy (but very busy!) nook of a home in Rockland, 1937.