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Today |
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Frenchboro’s Life Forces: Tide,
Weather and Ferry
Frenchboro, the smallest of all towns in Hancock
County, is a place where the sun rises and sets over the ocean.
It’s where farm fresh eggs can be delivered to the doorsteps of
island residents, and where everyone knows each other.
<complete story>
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Frenchboro
School
Four students
attended the
Frenchboro
School with teacher Lorna Stuart last year. They are from
left: Joe Charpentier (Grade 6), Mariner Beal (Grade 6), Lance
Bishop (Grade 1), and Audrey Beal (Kindergarten).
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Memories |
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Lobster Festival Fit for a Superman
Lobster, that Downeast favorite, has a life of its own on Frenchboro.
Much of the island’s history and livelihood is tied to the
crustacean.
And yet, island residents say they never tire of its rich taste.
<complete story>
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Yesterday |
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Foster Children Help Boost
Population
Tiny Frenchboro has had plenty of national media attention—precisely
for its waning population.
It first happened in 1964 when one headline in the Saturday Evening
Post read, “The Island That Borrows Its Children.” Later, in 1980, a
headline in The Star magazine read, “Come Live With Us On Our
Fantasy Island.”
<complete story>
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Neighbors |
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Minister Duo Discover Their Summer
Place
For
more than 30 summers, two ministers, the Revs. John David Stewart
and Jim Miller, have been coming to Frenchboro to offer services at
the island’s church.
<complete story>
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| Written and
photographed by Allyson Brehm. She can be contacted at
667-2576. |
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Go
Figure |
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Acreage:
1,539
Population, 2000: 38
Population, 1990: 44
Median age: 43.5
Schools: Frenchboro Elementary School
Library: Frenchboro Library
Churches: Outer Long Island Congregational Church
Town meeting: June (date is set each year)
<more town facts>
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They
Said It |
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“You
can go away and join the crowd and then come back here.”
—David Lunt,
lifelong resident
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Milestones |
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1813:
First
settlers (the Rich family) establish a community on Rich’s Head about
two miles from the current village.
Late 1800s into 1900s: Population grows to six villages.
1822:
First
island business is established, a store and fish firm.
1890:
Islanders
erect church. Parsonage is built 14 years later.
1907:
One-room
schoolhouse is built.
1910:
Population
peaks at 197.
1956:
Outside
electrical power is added to the island by way of an underwater cable
from Swan’s Island.
1961:
First run
of car ferry.
1973:
Island’s
only telephone service is established, the Island Telephone Co.
Customers within one-mile radius make 3,336 calls to each other.
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