E.C Nichols Dry Goods Co. Bangor Carnival Parade Float, June 18, 1912

Creator

Preview

Description

From the Wednesday, June 19, 1912 Bangor Daily Commercial newspaper:

"The biggest carnival parade ever seen in Bangor, probably the longest parade of any sort ever seen here, passed through the city Tuesday. It was a magnificent aggregation of artistic arrangement of decorative material, beautiful women and children and fine rigs.

From where the processions rear rested far down on the Hampden road to the food of Exchange Street, there was almost a continuous line of floats, wagons, carriages, and fire apparatus, the entire horse drawn equipment of the Bangor Fire Department being in parade.

As the procession passed along the music of the two bands, the various floats were loudly applauded as now one, then another, party of friends discovered familiar faces or firm names on the floats."

"The Nichols Co. had a handsome float in line, one that was most noticeable in the long parade, where all were good and none were poor. It was the result of a great deal of thought and a great deal of time on the part of the professional decorator of the firm E.F. Hartwell.

Seated on a throne in the center of a large platform sat Columbia, representing the United States, and at each corner of the pedestal upon which the throne rested were four pretty girls each dressed in a different costume, one representing Cuba, another the Phillipines, another the American girl, and another an Indian maiden. At each corner of the platform of the float were white columns, gilded at the top, and the entire float was appropriately dressed. Two horses, hitched tandemwise, hauled the float. At the head of each horse were two attendants who were four young men dressed in the costumes of the Indian, the Phillipino, the Cuban, and the Mexican."

The E.C. Nichols Dry Goods Co. operated at 35 Main Street. Charles A. Robbins served as company vice president and superintendant, William E. Quirin as president and treasurer. Robbins lived in Bangor, but his partner Quirin, according to the 1912 Bangor city directory, did not live in the Bangor area, as Manchester, New Hampshire is listed as his residence. The company ad on page 253 of the city directory calls the company the "Shopping Centre of Eastern Maine."

Everett F. Hartwell ran a decorating business at 35 Main Street.

Keywords

Bangor Carnival 1912, Bangor Maine history, E.C. Nichols Dry Goods Co., Charles A. Robbins, William E. Quirin, Everett F. Hartwell

Medium

photograph

Dimensions

20.6 x 15.1 cm