The Business Meeting of the Appleton Historical Society will be at 6:30 PM on Monday, December 1. All are welcome.

Camden resident Ken Gross will present his slide talk on "The ‘Electrics': Knox County Trolleys 1892-1931”, at the meeting of the Appleton Historical Society on Monday, December 1, at 7:00 pm, at the Appleton Library. Gross was formerly Director of the History Center at the Camden Public Library. Many of the images are from the collection of the library.

A public trolley system once connected Camden, Rockport, Rockland, Thomaston, and Warren, and even reached Crescent Beach and South Thomaston. For nearly forty years, the “electrics” served passengers and carried freight and limestone. It was a time when New Englanders were crazy for baseball and for dancing – and the electrics carried passengers to ball fields and dance halls, as well as daily commutes to work and chores, piano lessons, and appointments. Before the automobile, the trolley system gave residents freedom and local connections.

The electrical system that powered the electric cars was precursor to Central Maine Power, and supplied power for lighting towns, as well as transportation. The local steam-powered generating plant was at Powerhouse Hill in Rockport. The electrics were reliable and nearly silent — and of course there were accidents!

Monday, December 1, AHS Business Meeting at 6:30 PM, at The Appleton Library. Ken Gross’s Program is at 7:00 PM. The public is invited to both!

As you plan your year end giving, please consider supporting The Appleton Historical Society and the effort to restore the Appleton Meeting House by mailing a contribution to: 

Appleton HIstorical Society

2916 Sennebec Road

Appleton, ME 04862

Please make checks payable to Appleton Historical Society, a 501(c)3 organization. Thank you.