Bodwell Granite Company Store

By Charlie Bodwell

The Bodwell Granite Company Store stands as a fascinating chapter in the history of Vinalhaven, Maine—an ambitious retail venture that served both the bustling granite quarries and the island community. Operated by the Bodwell Granite Company, the store initially provided a vital resource for quarry workers and townspeople, offering groceries, dry goods, and hardware. Employees could shop using "trade tickets" or company-issued scrip, enabling purchases between paydays. However, this convenience often left workers with little of their earnings unspent by payday.

Established in 1859, the Company Store emerged during a period of rapid population growth on Vinalhaven, spurred by the granite industry. Quarry work was grueling and poorly paid, leaving many workers struggling to make ends meet. For a time, the store was popular among employees and locals alike, offering competitive prices made possible by federal contracts and the company’s built-in profits. It became a social hub—a central meeting place for the community—reflecting the close-knit life on the island.

By the late 19th century, however, cracks began to show. The store's prices became less competitive, and it transitioned from being a convenience to a symbol of growing tension between labor and management. This shift mirrored broader political and economic changes sweeping through the United States, which the company could not control. What was once a source of pride for the company and a necessity for its workers evolved into a flashpoint in the widening divide between the granite workers and the company.

The rise and fall of the Company Store reflects not only the changing dynamics of Vinalhaven’s community but also the larger story of company towns in the 19th century. Much like the "truck" systems of England, where workers exchanged labor for goods provided by their employers, these stores often monopolized local commerce. In many such towns, they were the only retailers, creating a dependency that could breed resentment.

The Bodwell Granite Company Store itself underwent transformations over the decades. In 1879, it relocated to the Masonic Block building, an elegant structure designed in high Victorian style, complete with mansard roofs, Greek key moldings, and Italianate pediments. Costing $11,515.42—a hefty sum at the time—the building symbolized the company’s prominence on the island. Yet, despite its architectural splendor, the store could not escape the broader economic forces and shifting labor relations that ultimately diminished its role.

This story, intricately tied to the history of labor, commerce, and community life, highlights both the promises and pitfalls of company-owned enterprises. The legacy of the Bodwell Granite Company Store offers a window into an era when industry dominated daily life, shaping not only economies but also the very fabric of society.

Workers could shop at the Company Store between paydays using "trade tickets" or company-issued scrip, often leaving them with little of their earnings remaining by the time payday arrived.

See a much longer write up on the store here.

Contact:  charlie@bodwellfamily.org