TEIA History

Brief History of TEIA
The Trefethen-Evergreen Improvement Association Clubhouse, at the corner of Island and Trefethen Avenues on Peaks Island, was originally constructed in 1912 as the Dayburn Casino Dance Hall. The Casino was built as a dance hall as a business venture by two young men from Boston, but the timing was wrong. Because so many young men were off fighting in World War I, the dancing audience was limited. The building itself has been attributed to architects John Calvin Stevens and John Howard Stevens of Portland, Maine.

Bringing public water to Peaks Island was among the early civic contributions of Trefethen Improvement Association. In the 1920s, TEIA and the Forest City Improvement Association worked to bring Sebago water to the island. After many difficulties, legislation was passed in the Maine state capital of Augusta to extend a submerged water cable to Peaks. On May 28, 1920, Sebago water flowed through the mains of Peaks Island, bringing its residents into a new era of health of convenience.

In 1922, the Association purchased the Dayburn Casino Dance Hall as its new clubhouse. Prior to that time, the group had met in the upstairs hall of the local grocery market, Webber’s Store. The clubhouse at Trefethen’s Landing was particularly desirable, being served by steamships from Portland, and having a maple floor considered “the best dance floor this side of Boston.” The purchase price was $3,600, plus the land previously obtained to construct a clubhouse. The cash was raised by donations and loans from 110 members, including substantial donations from the Association founders and future benefactors, Mary and Mabel Davies.

The Association was granted tax-exempt status by the state in recognition of its commitment to provide religious services, civic improvements, educational programs, use of its hall by other civic or charitable organizations, as well as its dedication to cheer the sick and bereaved.

During this time, social and entertainment activities were many. They included vaudeville shows, beautiful house expos, professional readers and speakers, pianists, solo and duet singers, ballet dancers, magicians, community singing, plays, box lunch suppers, bird lectures by the Davies sisters, seaplane rides at the annual fair, and luncheons with the ladies of Great Diamond Island.

Trefethen-Evergreen Improvement Association
PO Box 87
Peaks Island, Maine 04108
Phone: 207.766.2622
email: Information

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