Stonecutters, Rooming Houses, and the Storied Stores of Stonington

Historic downtown Stonington, a crowded collection of 19th century mansard roofed buildings tumbling to Maine’s busiest lobster port, is a model for the type of housing density that has again become desirable for many reasons including costs of production, utility costs, transportation and access to goods and services, and environmental impact.

Stonington’s Main Street was crowded with rooming houses and storefronts because the harbor is where people worked–-whether headed out in boats to fish or by barge to the Crotch Island granite quarries. Access to labor, goods, and services in an era before the automobile and the island was bridged to the mainland in 1937 meant that the harbor, with its steam boats and schooners, was the place to be.

Until the turn of the 21st century, Stonington’s downtown remained richly populated by working families with children who attended local schools. Today, more than 50% of downtown property is owned by non-resident single families and is empty for much of the year.

Are there ways we can understand our history and current external impacts to go “back to the future” and create positive change that benefits our year-round community?

During this year’s 4th annual Jane’s Walk in Stonington, walkers will take a new route along Stonington Harbor, beginning on the east end at the intersection of Seabreeze and Bayview Avenues in front of the Isle au Haut boat company; walking up Seabreeze to Main Street; and spending considerable time in what was the former “Central Square” commercial district at the intersection of Main and Atlantic in front of the former Epstein’s Department Store and current 44North Coffee Shop.

Throughout the walk participants will re-visit the history of the village’s steamboat piers, dense housing, industry and commerce and engage in these stories and conversations with members of the community who grew up in the streets of Stonington.