War Years: New Construction Ceases
“For a brief three months of every year, lobstering takes a back seat on many Maine Islands. Its carpentering that comes to the forefront. That’s when veteran carpenter, Oscar Burton gets his tools assembled in his tool chest and heads to Monhegan. Once upon a time he lived there the year round, but World War II saw the family close up their cozy little home and move to Thomaston.” Burton, Clara. On an Island, Carpentering is Strictly Seasonal. Unknown source
Oscar Burton and helper working on a roof
“building new cottages had pretty much come to a stand still after 1941. All buying and selling of properties was on hold with little or no work for the Island carpenters. This is when William Stanley retired and Henry his son moved his family off the Island (in 1942) to find work in Thomaston.”
Faller, Ruth Grant. New Monhegan Press. July, 1994, p.2
Olga Stevens scrapbook. 1942. p.58.
“The war years affected the summer colony also. Buying property virtually stopped and no houses were built.” “There was no construction after the war until 1947”
Faller, Ruth Grant. Monhegan Her Houses and Her People 1780-2000. Mainstay Publishing. p. 80,84.
