Searsport Cyclone
May 22, 1921
It was about 1:30 PM - a hot still afternoon. Thunder clouds built up rapidly. A black funnel cloud appeared northwest of town. The air was full of dust and flying debris. The 1859 Phineas Pendleton House across the street was lifted 8 inches into the air and dropped back on the foundation. The cyclone took the steeple off the Methodist Church, threw a cow into the bay and picked up a barn, leaving the car inside. All this among other strange happenings before moving out to sea and causing a water spout 50 feet high. The photographs show the "before" and "after" destruction of the Havener house located on this site. It was a common local custom for a proud owner to have a professional photograph taken of his home. The "before" photo just happened to be taken the day before the cyclone.
Marker is on West Main Street (Rt. US-1) south of Prospect Street, on the right when traveling north.
Courtesy hmdb.org
