Kennebunkport's Enduring "Silent Policeman Turns 100!

If you’ve ever navigated the bustle of Dock Square on a warm July afternoon, you know that traffic in Kennebunkport is nothing new. But rewind nearly a hundred years, and you’ll find that the town was just beginning to grapple with the "modern" problem of the automobile.

It was 1926. The Roaring Twenties were in full swing, and the quiet carriage roads of Maine were suddenly filled with the roar of Model Ts and touring cars. To bring order to the chaos, the town installed a peculiar new official at the end of Ocean Avenue: the "Silent Policeman."

The Problem: A Traffic Tangle

By the mid-1920s, Kennebunkport was transitioning from a sleepy shipbuilding village to a premier summer destination. As the mass production of the automobile made travel easier, more visitors flocked to the coast.

The intersection where Ocean Avenue met Dock Square became a notorious choke point. Drivers, unused to heavy congestion and often ignoring the "rules of the road" (which were still loosely defined), would cut corners, create gridlock, and pose a danger to pedestrians. The town’s small police force couldn't be everywhere at once.

The Solution: The "Silent Policeman"

In response, the town appropriated funds to install a traffic control device (AGA or Acetylene Gas Accumulator) known commonly as a "Silent Policeman."

Unlike the electric traffic lights we know today, this was a solid white monument, essentially a heavy obelisk, placed dead-center in the road. Its job was simple but effective: it forced drivers to go around the center of the intersection rather than cutting the inside corner. It acted as a physical divider between lanes. Usually with large letters telling a driver to “Slow Down” and “Keep Right” and an acetylene gas powered blinking beacon on top.

It never took a coffee break, never slept, and never needed a salary, Though town records show it did require occasional repainting.

Nearly a Century on Duty

The installation of the Silent Policeman in 1926 marked a turning point. It was an admission that the leisurely pace of the 19th century was gone.

But here is the most remarkable part of the story: the Silent Policeman never left his post.

In an era where historical infrastructure is often paved over or replaced by modern technology, this steadfast marker has stood its ground for nearly one hundred years. It has weathered decades of brutal nor'easters, witnessed generations of vacationers, and silently guided millions of vehicles, from Packards to Teslas.

Today, it is more than just an old traffic device; it is a beloved, enduring landmark. It serves as a tangible anchor to the past, connecting the modern bustle of Kennebunkport to the dawn of the automobile age.

Next time you drive to the end of Ocean Avenue: Give a little nod to that white pillar. He’s been on duty since Coolidge was President, and he’s still getting the job done.

We at Outatime Tours especially appreciate him seeing our tour groups safely across the intersection while exploring beautiful Dock Square!