History of Calais, Maine, USA

1839 - Calais
Calais, Maine
Washington county. At the head of navigation on the Schoodic, or St. Croix river, nearly opposite to St. Andrews, N.B. The Upper village or Mill Town, is about two miles from tide water. At the Lower village, below the falls, is a bridge to the British side. Calais lies about 28 miles above Eastport, about 35 N. by E. from Machias, and 204 E.N.E. from Augusta. This is a great mart for lumber of all kinds. About 40 saw mills and other machinery are in operation by the great fall of the river. The tide rises here about 20 feet, and large vessels ascend to the lower village. A rail-road is in operation between the two villages; it is to extend to Baring. Incorporated, 1809. Population, 1830, 1,686; 1837, 3,027.
The New England Gazetteer containing descriptions of all the states, counties and towns in New England: also descriptions of the principal mountains, rivers lakes, capes, bays, harbors, islands and fashionable resorts within that territory. By John Hayward, author of the Columbian Traveller, Religious Creeds, &c. &c. Boston: John Hayward. Boyd & White, Concord, N.H. 1839

1854 - Calais
Calais, a post-township of Washington county, Maine, at the head of navigation on the St. Croix river, nearly opposite St. Andrews in New Brunswick, 30 miles N. by W. from Eastport, nnd 264 miles N. E. from Portland. The fulls in the river afford extensive water-power. To the lower falls the tide in the St. Croix rises 20 feet. The town ship contains an upper and a lower village, about 2 miles apart. Large vessels ascend to the latter place. Calais contains a bank. The Calais and Baring railroad was built expressly for the transportation of lumber from Middletown and Baring to Calais. The quantity brought down for the year ending May 1, 1853, was 32,318,715 feet of long lumber, 44,357,1OO laths, 516,550 pickets, and 296,500 shingles. Population, 4749.
A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.

1854 - The Destructive Gate - Its Effects at the East.
...The storm took a very wide range, At Calais, Me., the roads were blocked up with snow-drifts, and the Western mail coach was compelled to return after starting on Saturday...
The New York Times
New York, New York
March 21, 1854

1858 - Fire at Calais, Me.
Calais, Thursday, April 8. Ten buildings in this place were destroyed by fire afternoon. Loss partially insured.
The New York Times
New York, New York
April 9, 1858

1859
CALAIS, a township of Washington co., in the state of Maine, on the St. Croix or Shoodie river, nearly opposite St. Andrews, N. Brunswick, with which it is connected by a bridge, and 200 m. ENE of Augusta. It has an upper and lower village, 2 m. apart, and connected by a railroad. The falls in the river afford excellent water-power, and the tide, which rises 20 ft. in height, admits of its navigation to the lower falls, by vessels of the largest dimensions. Pop. in 1840, 2,934.
A Gazetteer of the World: Or, Dictionary of Geographical Knowledge, Publisher A. Fullarton, 1859

1870 - Fire
CALAIS, Me., March 12. - This morning a fire broke out in the furniture store of Gillis & Gallagher. The stock and fixtures were entirely consumed. The loss is $5,000: insurance $2,000. The books and papers were saved. The building is owned by S. P. Poole, who loses $1.400. He has no insurance. The flames extended to two adjoining buildings, which were damaged to the amount of $2,000; insurance, $1,000.
The New York Times
New York, New York
March 13, 1870

1870 - Extensive Destruction of Buildings in Calais, Me.
CALAIS, Me., Aug. 27. - A fire broke out this afternoon in the rear of Mr. Samuel Ridout's livery stable, which was destroyed, together with stores occupied by Blake & Taylor, Wm. Todd, Jr., M. Silveston, A. E. Neill, James Perkins, Miss Hill, Boardman Bros., S. S. King & Sons, W. P. Harrison, Wadsworth & Kelley, Nickerson & Ridout, Harton Brothers, Geo. W. Eye, Daniel Hill, C. W. Eye, C. Waite & Co., and Bailey's photograph rooms, Calais Advertiser office, Wadsworth & Kelley's grist-mill, Benjamin Hutchins' sail-loft, Hitchcock & Cone's livery stable, Peabody, McDonald & Co's machine-shop, Hamilton Foundry, St. Croix Hall, with the City rooms and Post-office below, many dwellings and tenement-houses, large quantity of lumber, and much wharf property. Also, thirteen vessels lying at the wharves, Nickerson & Ridout's, and Wm. Huid's and Robertson's ship-yards, and three vessels on the stocks, the Marine Railway and Dry Dock, the Congregational Vestry and Masonic Hall. Much property... Read MORE...

1886 - Calais
Calais is situated at the eastern extremity of Washington County at the head of the tide on the St. Croix River. It is bounded by Baring on the west, Robbinston on the south, and on the east and north by St. Andrews and St. Stephens, in New Brunswick. The St. Croix River forms the dividing line between Calais and the two latter places. The area of the town is 19,392 acres. The sheets of water are West Magurrewock Lake in the south-west, and East Magurrewock, stretching from the centre of the town southward, and about these, Beaver, Vose, and Round Lakes. Granite and slate are the prevailing rocks. The territory was formerly covered with dense forests of pine timber. When Napoleon excluded the British from the Baltic, they resorted to Calais for the supplies of timber necessary to their shipyard. From that day to the present the place has been noted for its lumber business. Within city limits are eight valuable water-powers, of which five are improved. These improvements consisted, in... Read MORE...

1890 - July 20 - Snow & hail in Calais, ME

historyorb.com

1895 - Calais
Calais, kál'is, a city of Washington co., Me., is on the St. Croix River, which is part of the boundary between the United States and Canada. It is at the head of navigation, about 12 miles from Passamaquoddy Bay, 82 miles E.N.E. of Bangor, and 27 miles N.N.W. of Eastport. Several bridges crossing the river connect it with St. Stephen's in New Brunswick, a station on the New Brunswick & Canada Railroad. Calais is the southeastern terminus of the St. Croix & Penobscot Railroad. It contains 10 churches, a national bank, the Calais Academy and High School, a public library, 2 weekly newspaper offices, and shoe- and woollen-factories. Its prosperity is derived from ship building and trade in lumber, large quantities of which are sawn in the vicinity and exported. Pop. in 1890, 7290.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott

1899 - DEMAND AN INCREASE
Calais, Me., April 9. - The employes of the dye room at the St Croix cotton mills in St. Stephen are on strike. The strikers say that their wages have been gradually cut to $1 a day, and when an increase was refused they went out.
The Portsmouth Herald
Portsmouth, New Hampshire
April 10, 1899

1902 - LOSSES BY FIRE.
CALAIS, Me., March 1. - A fire in the Calais National Bank Building early today destroyed the upper story, while the entire building was damaged by smoke and water, the total loss aggregating $55,000. W. M. Woods & Co., dry goods, lose $35,000: Odd Fellows and affiliated lodges, $4,300: Calais National Bank, building and furniture, $15,000. The cause has not been learned.
The New York Times
New York, New York
March 2, 1902

1916
Calais, kal'is, a city and sub-port of entry of Washington co., Me., is on the St. Croix River, which is part of the boundary between the United States and Canada. It is at the head of navigation, about 12 miles from Possamaquoddy Bay and 82 miles ENE. of Bangor. Several bridges crossing the river connect it with St. Stephen in New Brunswick. Calais is the southeastern terminus of the Washington County (St Croix and Penobscot) R. Its prosperity is derived from ship-building and trade in lumber, large quantities of which are sawn in the vicinity and exported. It has foundries and machine-shops and manufactures of cot tons and woollens, shoes, calcined plaster, etc. The Calais Academy is located here. Pop. in 1890, 7290 : in 1900, 7655.
Lippincotts New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns, Resorts, Islands, Rivers, Mountains, Seas, Lakes, Etc., in Every Portion of the Globe, Part 1 Angelo Heilprin Louis Heilprin - January 1, 1916 J.B. Lippincott - Publisher

2023 - Here's a list of some of the best places to go and things to do in Calais:
St. Croix Island International Historic Site:

This historic site commemorates the 1604 settlement attempt by Pierre Dugua, Sieur de Mons, and Samuel Champlain. Take a stroll through history and enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings.

Calais Waterfront Walkway:

Enjoy a leisurely walk along the waterfront and soak in the scenic views of the St. Croix River. It's a great place for a morning jog or an evening stroll.

Holmes Cottage Museum:

Immerse yourself in Calais' history by visiting the Holmes Cottage Museum. It provides insights into the local culture and the development of the area.

Whale Watching Tours:

Calais is close to the Bay of Fundy, known for having the highest tides in the world. Consider taking a whale-watching tour to catch a glimpse of these majestic marine creatures.

Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge:

Nature lovers will appreciate exploring the Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge. It's a haven for birdwatchers and those seeking peaceful... Read MORE...