This is a first attempt to help Liz at Penobscot Maine Museum with captions for Squirrel postcards from their Eastern Illustrating collection.
In the summer of 1870, a group consisting of Jacob B. Ham, Nelson Dingley and Frank L. Dingley from Lewiston-Auburn were tenting with their families at Boothbay. They had an out-of-door chowder on Squirrel Island and so enjoyed it that Jacob B. Ham bought the island from the the heirs of William M. Greenleaf for $2,200 on July 21.
A Charter Was Obtained from the legislature of Maine, Feb 3, 1871,to organize a corporation to be called the Squirrel Island Association
12 houses were built in 1871. There are 100 today. A wharf, post office, hotel, chapel, library and recreation hall (in Maine, they were called casinos but there was no gambling) followed.
Squirrel clams to be the first of many summer colonies along the Maine coast. Lots are leased for 999 years, instead of owned. This leasing arrangement can best be compared to our modern day condos and the Squirrel Island Association, just like a condo board, has the ultimate say in many decisions. Each lot leasee has one vote in the Association annual meeting, unlike the popular vote at a normal town meeting. Here women voted on absolute equality with men for the first time in Maine and perhaps in New England.