 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Some History |
In 1944 Paul and his wife Alix DeRocher purchased the first lot of
land at what was then known as the Blackstone Colony. They
moved into the little cottage on their daughter’s first birthday. A
couple of years later Paul’s brother, Wilfred, and friend, Frank
Vertilla began leaving their boats at Paul’s. Soon other friends that
worked with Paul asked to leave their boats as well. It wasn’t long
before friends of friends started coming down looking for a place to
keep their boats in the water. Paul, being that kind of guy, was
delighted to oblige. Before long there was no more room for the
DeRocher car to be parked and so Paul and Alix decided to
purchase an additional lot to park other people’s cars. In order to
do this they began charging a parking fee and thus the Marina was
born in 1946.
land at what was then known as the Blackstone Colony. They
moved into the little cottage on their daughter’s first birthday. A
couple of years later Paul’s brother, Wilfred, and friend, Frank
Vertilla began leaving their boats at Paul’s. Soon other friends that
worked with Paul asked to leave their boats as well. It wasn’t long
before friends of friends started coming down looking for a place to
keep their boats in the water. Paul, being that kind of guy, was
delighted to oblige. Before long there was no more room for the
DeRocher car to be parked and so Paul and Alix decided to
purchase an additional lot to park other people’s cars. In order to
do this they began charging a parking fee and thus the Marina was
born in 1946.
It wasn’t long before they realized the necessity of having
gasoline available for their patrons but also for Birch Islanders
who now had to cross from Mere Point, as there was no
longer ferry service from Portland. This was usually an honor
system purchase as both Paul and Alix worked full time during
the week. A wharf and ramp system were built to replace all
the poles and haul offs that had been originally placed.
Moorings started to be set so the boats would no longer be
“high and dry” twice a day. The little wooden skiffs had begun
to be replaced by little longer boats and ones with motors.
gasoline available for their patrons but also for Birch Islanders
who now had to cross from Mere Point, as there was no
longer ferry service from Portland. This was usually an honor
system purchase as both Paul and Alix worked full time during
the week. A wharf and ramp system were built to replace all
the poles and haul offs that had been originally placed.
Moorings started to be set so the boats would no longer be
“high and dry” twice a day. The little wooden skiffs had begun
to be replaced by little longer boats and ones with motors.
Paul DeRocher
By 1954 Paul saw an opportunity for selling lobsters and crabs as well as ice and so that they were added to the plan.
Soon however new wider ramps were exchanged for the old narrow ones. In the 50’s the lobster shack was covered
over and turned into a workshop and a new lobster pound was built on site. In the late 50’s or early 60’s the bulkhead
was constructed and the ramp over the hill was installed. By then, the lobster shed, workshop and lobster pound were
all enclosed by one roof, thus giving us the footprint that holds the present day building. By then candy, food supplies
and hardware were also available for the convenience of the patrons, Islanders, and Mere Pointers.
Soon however new wider ramps were exchanged for the old narrow ones. In the 50’s the lobster shack was covered
over and turned into a workshop and a new lobster pound was built on site. In the late 50’s or early 60’s the bulkhead
was constructed and the ramp over the hill was installed. By then, the lobster shed, workshop and lobster pound were
all enclosed by one roof, thus giving us the footprint that holds the present day building. By then candy, food supplies
and hardware were also available for the convenience of the patrons, Islanders, and Mere Pointers.
In 1976 Paul was diagnosed with cancer. But that didn’t stop him from running the marina. By then he had bought more
land, improved the parking area, set moorings, ran a launch, launched boats, stored boats with a jit-a-bug tractor and
was the unofficial harbor master of Mere Point Bay. After an eight year battle Paul died in September of 1983 and the
Marina passed into the hands of his daughter and son-in-law, Judy and John Marsh. With the help of their two children,
Damien and Helene, they continued the process of building and developing the Marina into what it is today.
In 1986 a crane was purchased to replace the old boom truck to make launching and hauling boats safer and more
efficient. The Marina now was able to offer better service to both mooring and storage customers.
land, improved the parking area, set moorings, ran a launch, launched boats, stored boats with a jit-a-bug tractor and
was the unofficial harbor master of Mere Point Bay. After an eight year battle Paul died in September of 1983 and the
Marina passed into the hands of his daughter and son-in-law, Judy and John Marsh. With the help of their two children,
Damien and Helene, they continued the process of building and developing the Marina into what it is today.
In 1986 a crane was purchased to replace the old boom truck to make launching and hauling boats safer and more
efficient. The Marina now was able to offer better service to both mooring and storage customers.
In 1987 the old building was torn down and a new facility
was erected in the same footprint of the previous one.
The many improvements over the last 20 years were all
done while trying to keep with Paul and Alix’s original
philosophy of a FRIENDLY ANCHORAGE.
It has not always been easy to get to where we are
today. It could not have been done without the help of
family and friends, exemplary employees and loyal
customers.
In 2002 PAUL’S MARINA was awarded the first GREEN
MARINA AWARD given by the Maine Marine Trades
Association in conjunction with the Maine Dept. of
Environmental Protection and Friends of Casco Bay.
We are extremely proud of this distinction and make
every effort to stay a GREEN MARINA.
was erected in the same footprint of the previous one.
The many improvements over the last 20 years were all
done while trying to keep with Paul and Alix’s original
philosophy of a FRIENDLY ANCHORAGE.
It has not always been easy to get to where we are
today. It could not have been done without the help of
family and friends, exemplary employees and loyal
customers.
In 2002 PAUL’S MARINA was awarded the first GREEN
MARINA AWARD given by the Maine Marine Trades
Association in conjunction with the Maine Dept. of
Environmental Protection and Friends of Casco Bay.
We are extremely proud of this distinction and make
every effort to stay a GREEN MARINA.
Paul's Marina Staff - 2003
