Rockland history

Foundation and First Mentions

The history of Rockland is inextricably linked to the development of the Maine coast. Initially, this territory was part of the town of Thomaston. The first European settlers began establishing themselves here in the late 18th century; it is believed that John Lermond established a camp here around 1769, and for a long time, the place was known as "The Shore" or "Lermond's Cove".

Official administrative formation took place in the mid-19th century. In 1848, the district separated and became known as East Thomaston, and in 1850, the town received its modern name — Rockland. By 1854, it was granted city status.

Key Factors of Development

The rapid development of Rockland was predetermined by a combination of geography and unique natural resources:

• Limestone Deposits: This was the main driver of the economy. The city's name ("Rocky Land") reflects its geological essence — vast reserves of limestone were located here.
• Convenient Harbour: Its location on the shores of Penobscot Bay allowed for the creation of a powerful port. A deep-water harbour was essential for exporting raw materials.
• Shipbuilding: The need to transport lime to New York and other cities stimulated the development of shipyards. Local shipwrights built schooners specifically designed for carrying heavy cargo.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

In the 19th century, Rockland became famous as an industrial centre, often called the "Lime Capital of the World". The city's landscape was defined by numerous lime kilns operating around the clock. This created the specific atmosphere of a working industrial city, distinguishing it from the quiet fishing villages nearby.

The economy also relied on granite quarrying and fishing. The culture of early Rockland was formed around hard labour and the sea, creating a community of skilled workers, sailors, and shipbuilders, whose legacy is still felt in the city today.

Major Historical Milestones

• 1769 — John Lermond establishes the first settlement on the site of the future city, originally called Lermond's Cove.
• 1848 — The territory separates from neighbouring Thomaston and is incorporated as a separate town named East Thomaston.
• 1850 — The town receives its modern name, Rockland, reflecting the rocky landscape and rich limestone deposits.
• 1854 — Rockland is officially granted city status, cementing its administrative significance in the region.
• 1871 — Construction of the Knox and Lincoln Railroad is completed, connecting the port with the rest of the country.
• 1889 — The luxurious Bay Point Hotel (predecessor to the Samoset Resort) opens, marking the beginning of tourism development.
• 1947 — The Maine Lobster Festival is held for the first time, becoming a major annual tradition and the city's calling card.
• 1948 — The opening of the Farnsworth Art Museum lays the foundation for transforming the industrial port into a cultural arts centre.
• 1958 — The end of the era of mass industrial lime burning leads to a reorientation of the economy towards the service sector and fishing.
• 1990s — The beginning of a large-scale revitalization of the historic centre, turning former industrial buildings into galleries and restaurants.
• 2005 — The Maine Lighthouse Museum is founded, housing a unique collection of Fresnel lenses and maritime artefacts.
• 2008 — Rockland is officially awarded the honorary title of "Coast Guard City" for its long-standing ties with the US maritime service.

Stages of Transformation: From Industry to Art

The development history of Rockland is an example of a city successfully adapting to changing economic conditions. Over two centuries, it has journeyed from a rugged industrial centre to the cosy cultural capital of the Maine coast. Here are the key milestones that defined the city's modern appearance:

• Rise of the "Lime Capital" (Mid-19th Century)

  Significance: The discovery of huge limestone deposits and the construction of kilns for burning it became the foundation of the economy. This turned Rockland into an industrial hub, provided jobs for thousands of immigrants, and formed a dense urban layout oriented towards the port.

• Arrival of the Railroad (1871)

  Significance: The completion of the Knox and Lincoln Railroad branch connected the isolated port city with the rest of New England. This simplified cargo logistics and opened the region to mass travellers for the first time, launching the tourism era.

• Era of Grand Hotels and Tourism (Late 19th Century)

  Significance: The construction of the luxurious Bay Point Hotel (now the Samoset Resort) marked a change in image. The city began to attract a wealthy audience from metropolises, which stimulated the development of the service sector and the improvement of coastal zones.

• Creation of the "Lobster Capital of the World" Brand (1947)

  Significance: The establishment of the annual Lobster Festival was a brilliant marketing move. This event not only supported local fishermen but also gave the city a recognizable international brand that attracts tens of thousands of tourists annually.

• Cultural Breakthrough: Farnsworth Museum (1948)

  Significance: The opening of the art museum was a turning point in the city's history. This event laid the groundwork for transforming industrial Rockland into a centre of American art, closely linked to the legendary Wyeth dynasty of artists.

• Revitalization of Main Street (1990s — 2000s)

  Significance: A large-scale programme to restore the historic centre (Main Street) allowed for the reimagining of old brick buildings. Former trade warehouses and offices were converted into galleries, boutiques, and restaurants, making the city comfortable for walking and living.

Architectural Appearance and Urban Planning

The architecture of Rockland is a stone chronicle of its industrial past. Unlike many pastoral New England towns with white wooden houses, Rockland's centre is distinguished by monumentality and the predominance of red brick. The city's urban development was dictated by the needs of the port and the lime industry, which formed a dense built-up area along the coastline of Penobscot Bay.

Main Architectural Styles and Eras

The appearance of the city was formed primarily in the second half of the 19th and early 20th centuries, when Rockland was experiencing an economic boom. Several key directions can be highlighted:

• Greek Revival: Characteristic of early development in the first half of the 19th century. This style was often chosen for the homes of wealthy citizens and sea captains. Strict lines, columns, and pediments symbolized the democratic ideals of the young nation.
• Italianate: The dominant style of the historic centre (Main Street). After a series of fires in the 1850s, wooden structures were replaced by robust brick buildings. They are characterized by wide cornices with decorative brackets, arched windows, and flat roofs. This gave the city centre the appearance of a unified commercial ensemble.
• Queen Anne and Victorian Style: In the residential areas surrounding the centre, many wooden mansions from the late 19th century have been preserved, featuring asymmetrical facades, turrets, verandas, and intricate decor reflecting the wealth of the "Gilded Age".
• Industrial Architecture: Remnants of industrial complexes and shipyards, many of which are today adapted for modern needs (lofts, galleries), remind one of the city's status as a centre for lime and granite extraction.

Landmark Buildings and Structures

The architectural fabric of the city is woven from buildings, each telling its own story of Rockland's development:

• Main Street Historic District: The heart of the city, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This is one of the best-preserved examples of 19th-century commercial architecture in Maine. Brick facades of shops and offices create a cosy and cohesive corridor for strolling.
• Strand Theatre (1923): A striking example of early 20th-century architecture. Built during the heyday of silent film, the theatre combines elements of early Art Deco and Classicism. After restoration, it remains a cultural landmark of the city.
• Farnsworth Museum Complex: An interesting example of urban integration. The museum occupies not just one building but an entire block, uniting historical structures (including the Greek Revival style Farnsworth Homestead of 1850) and modern gallery spaces, harmoniously blended into the old environment.
• Rockland Breakwater: Although this is a hydraulic structure rather than a building, the granite mole, nearly 1.5 km long, is a crucial architectural object of the city. Built in the late 19th century from local granite, it culminates in a lighthouse (Rockland Breakwater Light) in colonial style, which has become a symbol of the city.
• Custom House and Post Office: A monumental building emphasizing Rockland's importance as a seaport. The severity of forms and the use of granite reflect the Federal style and the reliability of government institutions of that era.

Distinguished Figures Associated with the City

Rockland has been the birthplace or home to many talented people whose names have entered the history of art, politics, and industry in the USA. Here are key figures who left a noticeable mark on the city's legacy.

• Edna St. Vincent Millay
  Poet and Playwright
  One of the most famous American poets of the 20th century, born in Rockland in 1892. She became the first woman to receive the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry. The house where she was born has been preserved and marked with a memorial plaque, and her work is inextricably linked with the imagery of New England nature.
• Louise Nevelson
  Modernist Sculptor
  An outstanding figure in 20th-century art, known for her monumental wooden collages. Although she was born in the Russian Empire, her family emigrated to Rockland when Louise was five years old. It was here, watching her father work with wood, that she began her journey into art.
• Adelbert Ames
  Army General and Politician
  A native of Rockland who became a hero of the US Civil War and was awarded the Medal of Honor. Subsequently, he served as Governor of Mississippi and a US Senator. His long life and career made him one of the most influential political figures of his time to emerge from Maine.
• William A. Farnsworth
  Industrialist and Patron
  A businessman who made a fortune in limestone mining, the main branch of Rockland's economy in the 19th century. His will and funds allowed for the founding of the famous Farnsworth Art Museum, which transformed the industrial city into the cultural capital of the region.
• Maxine Elliott
  Theatre Actress and Entrepreneur
  Born in Rockland as Jessie Dermot, she became one of the brightest stars of the American theatre in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Elliott became famous not only as an actress but also as a successful businesswoman, becoming one of the first women to build her own theatre on Broadway.
• Hiram Rhodes Revels
  Clergyman and Senator
  The first African American elected to the US Senate. Before his major political career began, in the 1850s, he lived in Rockland, where he served as pastor of a local church, playing an important role in the spiritual life of the community.