Monhegan Island, Maine

A trip to Monhegan Island

Monhegan Island is about 10 miles from Port Clyde, ME. It is a small rocky island about a square mile in area accessible only by boat. There are no paved roads, no cars on the island only a couple of trucks transporting luggages for tourists as well as supplies to the shops.

Islanders make their living from the sea, fishing and lobstering. In the summer seasons, tourists flocks to this island and the population increases from 50+ to 500+.

Why am I visiting this island? It is in search of the one room school. One room school is still operating in this island since the 1800s. In 1986, there were 13 one room school in Maine, mostly were the island schools. As of this Fall, I believe there will be only 4 remaining.

This is a 1840 picture of the school.

There is the original structure of the school since it's beginning, taken in May of 2009. You can see there are a couple of additions in the back.


The journey and the adventure to Monhegan Island

This is where I purchased the ticket at Port Clyde

The "cruise ship" leaves the port and we are on the way and Port Clyde behind us.

Just like other ports, there is lighthouse to guide the boats

After about an hour, Monhegan Island is in sight.

On top of the hill is the lighthouse of the Monhegan Island. At the right side is the Museum where the records are kept

The port is getting closer. Before you could see the sea port, the sight of the hotel captures your full attention

One third of a mile to where I live, the island "superstore" is on my left.

and the fine dining Carina is on the right.

Further down on the right, I could see ropes and buoys

and lobster traps dotted at the left side of the road

Finally, I see a land mark (The church) where diagonally on the right is the store,

the Black Duck. I am supposed to meet owner of the lodging there and she will show me the way to her inn.

From the Black Duck store, walk around the church, we come to a steep hill. Luckily, I gave the luggage to the truck lady to transport it out to the inn for me.

After another steep hill, there is the sign of the Hitchcock House.

This is it, the island's "Hilton" Hotel.

It is not so bad. The place is clean and "roomy".

After a little rest and get the luggage the truck lady promises to leave at the side of the road, I walk down the hill.

Somehow, I turn my head and see the one room school way off at a distance.

About a mile or so tracing back where I came from, walk pass the T junction toward the school on the left, Icome upon another hill that I need to take to the museum. Mom was supposed to come with me on this trip. I wonder if she could take it.

Here I am, at the lighthouse on top of the hill and a part of the museum. The light house is no long man by the keeper since the automation in the late 20th century.

Here is an Aeriel perspective of where I traveled. In the center is the fancy country inn. To the left about a mile is where I stay, the Hitchcock House. To the right, about another mile is where the road leading to the light house and museum. The one room school is hiding behind the tall pine tree.

Painters come in the summer months to paint the nature wonders of the island. She is an early bird. The season has not started at this point.

Opposite to the light house is the research museum where the records are kept. This is Jennifer Pye, one of the curators who helped me with the research. I am only here for two days. Her help is greatly appreciated. Without her, I couldn't have done it all.

School is also the public gathering place. It is the life and blood of the community. Without the school, the community will die. In fact the school did close down for a period of 7 years waiting for the young islanders to grow up to attend the school. This is the "billboard" in front of the "superstore" encouraging people to participate in the kick ball event. The kick ball event happens to be on the day of my departure from the island.

Because I leave in the noon hour, I am able to take some pictures of the event. This is after the kick ball and the adults cook the traditional great American lunch. You guess it, hot dogs and hamburgers.

At the dock, I took this picture of a distinguished red house, I believe this is the only red building on the island.

The storage shed with the hotel in the background

and the lobster boats.

Upon departure, this lady plays the hand organ to the guests to wish them goodbye.

Looking back to the island on the boat, I could now identify the school house. It is the second one from the bottom right corner of the picture.

Goodbye, Monhegan Island. "It has been a slice."

This is the "cruise ship", Elizabeth Ann .

It was such a lovely day, people are on deck soaking up the sun and saying goodbye to the island.

The light house is once again in sight, signaling the arrival to Port Clyde shortly.

Welcome back to the "in shore" as the islanders would have said. The mainland if you may.

Here I am. The car is parked on top of the hill for the past 3 days. There is another 2.5 hours drive to Bangor.