Peaks Island is the most populous island in Casco Bay, Maine. It is part of the city of Portland and is approximately 5 km (3 mi) from downtown. The island became a popular summer destination in the late 19th century, when it was known as the Coney Island of Maine, home to hotels, cottages, theaters, and amusement parks.
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Notable Items
Hollywood film director John Ford was known as "The Mayor of Peaks Island" because of his great affinity for the island. He vacationed there from boyhood through the early 1960s, worked as an usher at the Gem Theater and was a deckhand on the Casco Bay Lines ferries in his youth. Ford's relatives still live on the island.[citation needed]
Besides the Gem, which featured famous performers including the Barrymore family, two other summer theaters were located on the island. One, the Pavilion, opened in 1887, is said to be the first summer theater in the country. The Greenwood Garden Amusement Park sported the Greenwood Garden Playhouse.
George M. Cohan tried his productions out at the island's theaters before taking them to Broadway. Circa 1908, D.W. Griffith was torn between continuing to appear in plays produced at the island's playhouses as he frequently did or heading to Hollywood. Jean Stapleton's first professional appearance in the summer of 1941 was in a production at Greenwood Garden. Martin Landau also made his professional stage debut in a 1951 production of "Detective Story" at Greenwood Garden where for several seasons he was a resident cast member.
Most of the hotels were lost to fires over the years. The Gem Theater was destroyed by fire on September 7, 1934. 17 buildings burned to the ground on June 2, 1936, including the new Union House Hotel. The only original hotel structure remaining on the island is the Avenue House, which has been converted into condominiums.
During World War II, the island was home to a large military defense installation, including the largest structure, Battery Steele, which housed two 16 inch (406 mm) guns. When Battery Steele's guns were first tested, windows on the opposite side of the island shattered.[1]
Population
According to the 2000 census, Peaks Island is home to 843 year round residents, but in the summer its population swells up to 6,000. The island is served by Casco Bay Lines and is home to its own elementary school, library, and police station.
Politics
In April 2004, after the City of Portland completed a revaluation of all properties in the municipality, average property taxes on Peaks Island increased by over 200 percent.[2] Shortly thereafter, a group of island residents organized a committee to investigate seceding from Portland and forming a separate town.[3] A successful petition drive put the issue to an island-wide vote on June 13, 2006.[4] Of a total of 683 votes, over 57 percent were in favor of moving forward with secession.[5][6]
The Portland City Council unanimously opposed secession.[7] The council and the secession group, after arguing over whether to hold talks in public or private,[8][9] failed to negotiate any terms. In February 2007 the secession group obtained sponsorship for legislation that would formally incorporate the Town of Peaks Island, subject to a successful referendum.[10][11][12] After vigorous debate, the bill was narrowly tabled in committee on May 14, 2007, effectively ending the secession drive.[13]
As a result of the secession fight, and with urging from state legislators, the Portland City Council agreed on May 21, 2007[14] to create a seven-member Peaks Island Council that would provide input about island matters directly to members of the city council.[15] Members of this island council serve without compensation and are elected during November municipal elections for terms ranging from one to three years.[16] The inaugural meeting of the Peaks Island Council was held on November 13, 2007.
References
- ^ The Seductions of Fall , The New York Times, 2004-09-10. Accessed 2009-02-21.
- ^ Home is Where the Heartburn Is , Portland Press Herald, 2004-04-07. Accessed 2009-05-31.
- ^ Website of Peaks Island Independence Committee (IIC), accessed 2009-05-31.
- ^ Minutes of the Portland City Council, April 19, 2006, accessed 2009-05-31.
- ^ Peaks Votes to Secede, The Bollard, 2006-06-13. Accessed 2009-05-31.
- ^ "Peaks Independence committee takes on a new role after island secession vote", Island Times, July 2006.
- ^ Minutes of the Portland City Council, June 19, 2006, accessed 2009-05-31.
- ^ "Peaks secession negotiations at a stalemate", Island Times, August 2006.
- ^ Secession Meeting Turns Nasty, WMTW, 2006-07-21. Accessed 2009-05-31.
- ^ Peaks Island's future a "crapshoot" , The Bollard, 2007-02-11. Accessed 2009-02-24.
- ^ Bill would authorize Peaks vote , Portland Press Herald, 2007-04-25. Accessed 2009-05-31.
- ^ An Act To Authorize Peaks Island, House Island, Pumpkin Knob and Catnip Island To Secede from the City of Portland, accessed 2009-05-31.
- ^ Panel opposes split by Peaks , Portland Press Herald, 2007-05-15. Accessed 2009-05-31.
- ^ Minutes of the Portland City Council, Special Meeting, May 21, 2007, accessed 2009-05-31.
- ^ Amendment to Portland City Code... Re: Peaks Island Council. Accessed 2009-05-31.
- ^ Ibid., Portland City Code, Chapter 9: Elections, Section 9-51(c)
- Notable Items section: Clough, Leon S., editor; Peaks Island 1776–1976 Bicentennial Directory
External links
- Peaks Island community calendar with organization directory
- Peaks Island Council
- Peaks Island community messageboard
- Casco Bay Lines island ferry service
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Coordinates: 43°39′25″N 70°11′46″W / 43.65694°N 70.19611°W
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