Blocks & Lots

In Millinocket’s early days, businesses, doctors & lawyers offices and other establishments located in the downtown area did not have a street address, but were referred to by “block” location. There was the Decker Block, the Moore Block, the Hayden Block, the Rush Block, the Whalen Block and more. All advertisements in the local and Bangor newspapers used a block name. As time passed and new businesses took over a location, some names changed (Decker Block became known as Decker-Gonya Block & later just Gonya Block).

If you were sitting at the site of the current traffic light in the early 1900’s (Penobscot Ave. & Central St.) and looking down Penobscot Avenue, just behind you on your right was Fred Peasley’s Hardware (not referred to by a block name). Peasley had left Norcross and moved to the new town to supply new residents and businesses with items they needed. Later, Peasley’s business became Fogg & Clifford’s Hardware and later some remember it as Fuller Furniture. Looking at old photos, this building’s exterior look has changed little in 125 years (basic building shape & roof).

On the left, across from Peasley’s was the Moore Block, a three-story wooden structure that housed several different businesses. The upper floors of this block and most others had doctors/dentists/telephone operators/lawyers etc. offices on the second floors. The Moore Block was later known as the Bishop Block. S. M. Boynton, jeweler was located there as was J.C. Smith who sold appliances and supplies from his store.  The block was eventually torn down and is now an empty lot.

The first building on the left as you go through the light was known as the Kimball Block.  An advertisement in the Stearns HS yearbook, 1913, says Kimball Trading Company (1^st floor) had two departments, groceries and dry goods. “Everything you want from a Package of Pins to a Bale of Hay.” On the right was the Decker Block, later Decker-Gonya Block that for many years housed a drug store.

Moving down the street, other buildings also were referred to by a block name (usually housed one or two businesses on the first floor and various offices on the second. Most also had some living quarters on 2^nd or 3^rd floors. On the lower end of the street was the Rush Block (Rush Brothers had men’s furnishings, millinery etc.) Later, one store was primarily Harry (HAM) Rush’s business while another building in same block was called the James Rush Block.

The second floor of the James Rush Block was office space and many referred to it as the Doctor’s Block. Listed in an ad in the 1923 yearbook is: Chas. K, Sleight, Optometrist & Optician; J.D. Walker, Merchant Tailor; and Wilfred S. Conary, Attorney & Counsellor, Doctor’s Block, Rms. 9-12.

If you have information and/or photos (interior & exterior) of any buildings and businesses on Penobscot Avenue through the years, consider sharing with the museum.