Bar Harbor is a town in Hancock County, Maine, United States. In 2020 there lived 5089 inhabitants in 3639 households on an area of 163.45 km².
Bar Harbor, located on Mount Desert Island in Maine, boasts a rich
cultural heritage and an array of captivating sights, particularly its
historic architecture that reflects its heyday as a glamorous summer
retreat for America's elite in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The town's evolution from a modest fishing village to a high-society
enclave is evident in its preserved structures, many of which survived a
devastating 1947 wildfire that reshaped much of the area. Influenced by
renowned architects and wealthy patrons, these buildings showcase styles
like Shingle, Queen Anne, Colonial Revival, and Art Deco, blending
opulent design with the natural beauty of Frenchman Bay and Acadia
National Park. Today, they serve as museums, libraries, performance
venues, and educational facilities, offering visitors insights into
Native American history, Gilded Age luxury, and local community life.
Several districts and individual properties in Bar Harbor and its
neighboring villages—Hulls Cove, Indian Point, and Salsbury Cove—have
earned spots on the National Register of Historic Places, highlighting
their national importance.
Historic Districts
Two prominent
areas in Bar Harbor have been designated as historic districts,
safeguarding clusters of architecturally significant buildings that
capture the essence of the town's resort-era development:
Harbor
Lane-Eden Street Historic District (listed in 2009, register no.
09000550): This 20-acre coastal enclave along Frenchman Bay represents
one of the last intact groupings of pre-1947 summer "cottages" in Bar
Harbor, built between 1879 and 1936 for affluent families seeking
seasonal escapes. It exemplifies community planning and architectural
trends of the era, with long lots extending from the shoreline to Eden
Street. The district features 16 contributing buildings, primarily
large, wood-frame estates in styles such as Queen Anne, Shingle,
Colonial Revival, and Italian Renaissance Revival, often remodeled to
reflect changing tastes. Notable examples include Fenwold (1893, by John
Calvin Stevens, blending Colonial and Italian Renaissance elements),
Reverie Cove (1893, by Fred L. Savage, with Shingle Style influences),
Bagatelle (1883, Queen Anne/Shingle by Rotch and Tilden), and Witch
Cliff (1936, Colonial Revival by Arthur McFarland). These structures,
designed by prominent architects, highlight the competitive stylistic
evolution among the elite, with features like granite foundations,
shingled exteriors, and expansive views. The district's significance
lies in its role during Bar Harbor's peak as a rival to Newport, Rhode
Island, and its preservation of the town's social and architectural
legacy post the 1947 fire.
West Street Historic District (listed in
1980, register no. 80000226): Encompassing a shoreline stretch
overlooking the Atlantic and Frenchman Bay, this district illustrates
Bar Harbor's shift from rustic boarding houses to lavish estates
starting in the 1870s. Spared by the 1947 fire, it retains 17
contributing buildings, mostly frame structures in Shingle, Queen Anne,
Colonial Revival, and Tudor Revival styles, with minimal alterations.
Development boomed after West Street was laid out in 1886, attracting
high-society figures like S. Weir Mitchell. Key properties include La
Rochelle (1903, French Renaissance brick mansion by Jaques and Rantoul),
Saltair (1887, Queen Anne with towers by Rotch and Tilden), The Bar
Harbor Club (1929-30, Tudor Revival clubhouse once frequented by
Rockefellers and Fords), and Petunia Cottage (1877, the district's
oldest, a Queen Anne rental for early "rusticators"). The area blends
residential grandeur with social hubs, preserving the feeling of a
turn-of-the-century elite enclave through sloping lawns, ocean views,
and intact settings.
Individual Historic Buildings in Bar Harbor
Beyond the districts, numerous standalone structures contribute to the
town's cultural tapestry, each with unique stories tied to exploration,
education, entertainment, and innovation:
Robert Abbe Museum of
Stone Antiquities (listed in 1983, register no. 83000451): Founded as a
trailside exhibit in Acadia National Park, this museum has evolved into
a modern facility in downtown Bar Harbor dedicated to the Wabanaki
Nations (Abenaki, Maliseet, Mi’kmaq, Passamaquoddy, and Penobscot). It
houses collections of Native American artifacts, emphasizing living
cultures, history, and homelands through collaborative exhibits,
workshops, and events. Open seasonally from May to October, it corrects
historical misrepresentations and promotes Indigenous narratives.
Blackwoods Campground (listed in 2007, register no. 07000612): Situated
along State Route 233 in Acadia National Park, this rustic campground
offers a glimpse into early 20th-century outdoor recreation, with sites
amid dense forests near hiking trails and coastal views, embodying the
park's conservation ethos.
Cleftstone (listed in 1999, register no.
99001192): A stately residence at 92 Eden Street, this property
exemplifies late 19th-century architectural elegance, originally built
as a summer home.
Criterion Theatre (listed in 1980, register no.
80000222): This iconic Art Deco venue at 35 Cottage Street, designed by
Bunker & Savage and opened in 1932, originally featured vaudeville,
films, and even a Prohibition-era speakeasy in its basement. With an
877-seat auditorium, ornate lobby, and marquee, it faced decline but was
renovated by a nonprofit in 2015. Today, it thrives year-round with
movies, live theater, and music performances, preserving Bar Harbor's
entertainment heritage.
Eegonos (listed in 1980, register no.
80000223): Located at 145 Eden Street, this estate reflects the Shingle
Style popular among early summer cottages, serving as a testament to the
town's resort beginnings.
The Farm House (listed in 2007, register
no. 07001152): At 15 Highbrook Road, this structure highlights rural
architectural influences amid Bar Harbor's more opulent settings.
Garland Farm (listed in 2005, register no. 05001174): Once the home of
renowned landscape architect Beatrix Farrand, this property showcases
her final designs and gardens, now preserved for educational purposes
related to horticulture and history.
Highseas (listed in 1978,
register no. 78000326): Built in 1912 as a private summer estate south
of town on Schooner Head Road, this grand residence now functions as a
dormitory for The Jackson Laboratory, blending historic charm with
modern scientific use.
Jesup Memorial Library (listed in 1991,
register no. 91000323): Housed at 34 Mount Desert Street, this library
serves as a community hub with special collections like the Jesup
Archive and Maine history files. It hosts events such as story times,
music discussions, and coding workshops, with an expansion planned for
2026 to enhance its facilities.
John Innes Kane Cottage (listed in
1992, register no. 92000275): Off Hancock Street, this cottage
represents the luxurious retreats of industrialists, with intricate
designs from the Gilded Age.
Nannau (listed in 1984, register no.
84000322): On Lower Main Street, this property features eclectic
architectural elements, originally a summer home for prominent families.
Redwood (listed in 1978, register no. 78000166): Situated on Barberry
Lane, it stands as an example of early estate architecture in the area.
Reverie Cove (listed in 1982, register no. 82000743): On Harbor Lane,
this Colonial Revival/Shingle Style home (1893) by Fred L. Savage is
part of the Harbor Lane-Eden Street District, known for its bayside
elegance.
St. Edward's Convent (Former) (listed in 1998, register no.
98001237): This former religious building adds to the town's
ecclesiastical history.
Saint Saviour's Episcopal Church and Rectory
(listed in 1995, register no. 95000729): At 41 Mount Desert Street, this
Gothic Revival church is a spiritual landmark with stained glass and
community events.
Sproul's Cafe (listed in 1982, register no.
82000744): At 128 Main Street, this historic eatery captures everyday
commercial architecture from the early 20th century.
The Turrets
(listed in 1974, register no. 74000155): On Eden Street, this
Châteauesque mansion, built in 1895, now anchors the College of the
Atlantic campus. Acquired from a seminary in the 1970s, it houses
academic spaces and symbolizes the college's focus on human ecology amid
stunning ocean views.
US Post Office-Bar Harbor Main (listed in 1986,
register no. 86000880): At 55 Cottage Street, this Classical Revival
building exemplifies federal architecture from the 1930s.
Historic Sites in Nearby Villages
The cultural sights extend to Bar
Harbor's associated villages, each with protected landmarks:
Hulls Cove:
Church of Our Father (listed in 1999, register no.
99000770): Along State Route 3, this Episcopal church features Shingle
Style architecture and serves as a community gathering place.
Cover
Farm (listed in 1995, register no. 95001464): Off State Route 3, this
farm preserves agricultural heritage with barns and fields.
Hulls
Cove High School (listed in 1999, register no. 99000374): Near Crooked
Road, this former school building reflects early 20th-century education
design.
Indian Point:
Higgins Barn (listed in 2004, register
no. 03001502): At 256 Oak Hill Road, this barn highlights rural Maine's
timber-frame construction and farming traditions.
Salsbury Cove
(also spelled Salisbury Cove):
Stone Barn Farm (listed in 2001,
register no. 01001271): At the junction of Crooked Road and Norway
Drive, this stone structure exemplifies durable 19th-century farm
architecture, now a site for historical interpretation.
Bar Harbor, nestled on Mount Desert Island in Maine and serving as
the gateway to Acadia National Park, boasts a rich tapestry of history
intertwined with the supernatural and the forsaken. Once a summer
playground for America's elite during the Gilded Age, the town was home
to opulent "cottages" (grand mansions) owned by families like the
Rockefellers and Vanderbilts. However, the devastating Great Fire of
1947—a wildfire that ravaged over 17,000 acres on the island, destroying
67 seasonal estates on "Millionaires' Row," 170 permanent homes, and
five historic hotels—left indelible scars. This inferno, fueled by a
prolonged drought and hurricane-force winds, not only reduced much of
the area's grandeur to ruins but also amplified local folklore, as
tragic losses and sudden evacuations seemed to awaken or trap restless
spirits. Today, Bar Harbor's haunted legends draw from Wabanaki Native
American traditions, maritime disasters, and the echoes of its affluent
past, while its abandoned places—scattered ruins and forgotten
estates—offer tangible remnants of that era. Ghost tours abound, weaving
tales of the paranormal with historical fact, making the town a magnet
for those intrigued by the eerie. Below, we delve into the most
prominent haunted legends and abandoned sites, drawing from local lore,
historical accounts, and visitor reports.
Haunted Legends of Bar
Harbor
Bar Harbor's ghostly reputation stems from its seafaring
history, Native American heritage, and the opulent yet tragic lives of
its past residents. Wabanaki folklore, featuring strange sea creatures
and spirit tales, often intersects with colonial-era hauntings. Ghost
tours, such as those offered by Bar Harbor Ghost Tours and American
Ghost Walks, highlight these stories, leading visitors by lantern light
to sites where the veil between worlds feels thin. Many accounts are
unsubstantiated but persist through oral tradition and books like Marcus
LiBrizzi's Ghosts of Acadia and Haunted Islands in the Gulf of Maine.
The Criterion Theater: A Stage for Spectral Performances
Built in
1932 as one of Maine's few surviving Art Deco theaters, the Criterion on
Cottage Street is renowned for its paranormal activity, with reports of
at least five distinct spirits. Guests and staff describe ghostly
apparitions, unexplained sounds like footsteps and whispers, and objects
moving on their own. One legend ties the hauntings to the theater's
Prohibition-era past, when it may have hosted illicit activities,
leaving behind restless souls. Tour guides recount tales of a spectral
woman searching for something lost, possibly connected to unsolved
mysteries in the building. The theater's opulent interior, with its
gilded details, amplifies the eerie atmosphere, especially during
off-hours when shadows seem to come alive. Visitors on ghost tours often
enter the space (when no shows are scheduled), heightening the
immersion.
Bar Harbor Club: Curses and Lingering Scents
Constructed in 1929 as an exclusive Tudor-revival retreat for the
wealthy, the Bar Harbor Club on West Street is steeped in dark legends,
including a vengeful curse from a Wabanaki shaman displaced by
development. One chilling tale involves an unsolved murder: a woman
allegedly strangled in the restroom, her body secretly buried on nearby
Bar Island. No investigation followed, but her presence lingers through
the scent of patchouli perfume wafting through the Vanderbilt Lounge and
restrooms, especially when women are alone. Another story speaks of a
destitute former member who broke in during a harsh winter, only to
freeze to death; his ghost reportedly causes lights to flicker on and
manifests as moans or breaking glass. The club's haunted ground and
eerie occurrences make it a staple on tours, blending glamour with
tragedy.
Bar Harbor Inn: The Woman in White
Overlooking the
harbor, the historic Bar Harbor Inn is famed for sightings of Mary
Margaret, the "woman in white," a spectral figure in Victorian attire
who wanders the halls and grounds. Legends link her to shipwrecks or
lost loves from the 19th century, with reports of doors slamming,
disembodied arguments, and cold spots. The inn's proximity to the sea
ties into broader maritime hauntings, including cursed vessels and
drowned sailors.
Ledgelawn Inn and Balance Rock Inn: Scandals and
Curses
The Ledgelawn Inn, now defunct, was known for strange
happenings like apparitions and unexplained noises, possibly tied to a
murdered resident. Nearby, the Balance Rock Inn carries tales of a
legendary curse, scandals, and hauntings from its mansion-era past.
Shore Path and Maritime Hauntings
The scenic Shore Path along the
waterfront is rife with stories of ghostly sea serpents, shipwreck
victims calling from the depths, and apparitions near landmarks like Egg
Rock Lighthouse. Wabanaki spirit tales add layers, with mythical
creatures from folklore.
Early Accounts: Thurlow’s Island
Boarding House
One of the earliest documented hauntings dates to
1885, when a boarding house on Thurlow’s Island experienced persistent
rapping noises on doors and floors, driving away residents despite
investigations.
Abandoned Places and Ruins in Bar Harbor
The
1947 fire left Bar Harbor dotted with ruins, many from the destroyed
estates of Millionaires' Row. These sites, often hidden in Acadia
National Park's woods, evoke the town's lost splendor. Explorers should
respect private property and park rules.
Dorr House Ruins at
Compass Harbor
On the Compass Harbor Trail, just off Main Street, lie
the remnants of Oldfarm, the estate of George B. Dorr, "Father of Acadia
National Park." Destroyed in the 1947 fire, the site features stone
foundations, steps, and overgrown gardens overlooking a cove. It's a
short, easy hike revealing the park's origins.
Blair Eyrie
Gardens Ruins
High on a hill in Acadia, the gardens of Blair Eyrie
(built 1888, demolished 1935) feature Italianate designs with a Moorish
pool basin, Japanese bronze fountain remnants, and a tea house
foundation. Mistaken for other estates, these ruins are accessible via
trails off Cleftstone Road.
Anne M. Archbold Estate Ruins
This
Italian villa's remains include a circular pool with angel statues,
massive stone steps, a basement with debris, and scattered tiles. Burned
in 1947, it's hidden in woods off Cleftstone Road.
Other Historic
Estates and Sites
La Rochelle: A 1902 41-room mansion on West Street,
surviving the fire; now owned by the Bar Harbor Historical Society.
The Turrets: A fire-resistant castle on Eden Street at College of the
Atlantic, used as offices.
Chatwold (Pulitzer Estate): Ruins of a
towered castle near Schooner Head Road, site of a fatal construction
accident in 1895.
Manor Inn (Sullivan, nearby): Abandoned in the
1990s and demolished in 2020; once a Swiss Chalet-style resort for Bar
Harbor visitors.
Bar Harbor is a coastal resort town situated on the northeastern shore of Mount Desert Island in Hancock County, southern Maine, United States. It lies at the foot of Cadillac Mountain, which rises to 1,530 feet (466 meters), making it the highest point within 40 km of the Atlantic shoreline in the region, and overlooks Frenchman Bay to the east. The town is approximately 74 km southeast of Bangor and serves as a gateway to Acadia National Park, with a bridge connecting it to the mainland and ferry services to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. Covering a total area of 163.45 square kilometers (about 63 square miles), the geography is roughly two-thirds land (109.40 square km) and one-third water (54.05 square km), reflecting its maritime character. This island setting, combined with its position on a gentle hill sloping toward the harbor, creates a picturesque landscape dominated by ocean views, islands, and rugged terrain.
The terrain of Bar Harbor is varied, with an average elevation of 33 meters above sea level, ranging from a minimum of -5 meters (in coastal or tidal areas) to a maximum of 461 meters near Cadillac Mountain. The town itself occupies lower elevations along the shoreline, gradually rising inland toward the mountainous interior of Mount Desert Island. This topography includes gentle hills, rocky outcrops, and forested slopes, shaped by ancient geological processes and more recent glacial activity. Key geographical points include the harbor area, which is sheltered and ideal for boating, and the surrounding bays and inlets that provide natural protection from the open Atlantic. The island's rugged profile features cliffs and promontories, contributing to dramatic vistas and a sense of isolation despite its accessibility.
Bar Harbor's natural features are heavily influenced by its proximity
to Acadia National Park, which encompasses much of Mount Desert Island.
Prominent among these is the namesake "Bar," a dynamic sandbar composed
of gravel and sand that emerges at low tide, forming a natural land
bridge to Bar Island, part of the national park and located northwest of
the town's pier. This feature, accessible for about four hours around
low tide (up to two hours before and after), experiences tidal
fluctuations of up to 12 feet twice daily, leaving a wet surface ideal
for exploring marine life such as shells, seaweed, and intertidal
organisms. Vehicles can traverse it with caution, but it's primarily
used by hikers and kayakers launching into the harbor.
Beyond the
bar, the area boasts ocean cliffs, rocky beaches, and glacier-formed
lakes and valleys. Frenchman Bay, a large embayment, is dotted with
islands and provides unobstructed views, while the coastline features
cobblestone beaches like those at Seawall and Little Hunter’s Beach,
where rounded stones have been smoothed by wave action from larger
glacial erratics. Inland, U-shaped valleys—such as those near The
Bubbles north of Jordan Pond—exemplify glacial widening of pre-existing
stream-eroded paths. Mountain vistas are abundant, with trails leading
to peaks offering panoramic views of the bay and surrounding
archipelago.
The geology of Bar Harbor and its environs is a testament to ancient
volcanism, erosion, and Pleistocene glaciation. Granite bedrock
dominates, intruded by basalt dikes—dark, vertical rock formations
filling fractures and visible along coastal paths and at sites like
Schoodic Peninsula near Bar Harbor. These dikes vary in crystal size
based on cooling rates, adding textural diversity to the landscape.
Glacial evidence is widespread: striations, deep scratches on granite
surfaces (e.g., at Otter Cliffs), indicate the direction of ice flow as
glaciers dragged sediment across the land. Chatter marks,
crescent-shaped fractures in the bedrock, were formed by boulders under
glacial pressure, with the steeper side pointing opposite to the flow
direction.
Erratics, such as the famous Bubble Rock on South Bubble
Mountain, are boulders transported and deposited by retreating glaciers,
often perched precariously. The overall landscape reflects multiple ice
ages, with the last major glaciation sculpting the island's fjord-like
inlets and rounded mountains. Volcanic activity from millions of years
ago contributed to the initial rock formations, later eroded by streams
and ice.
Bar Harbor experiences a humid continental climate, characterized by warm, humid summers and cold, snowy winters. The warm season spans June to September, with July being the hottest month; average highs reach about 22.7°C (73°F), while lows hover around 13.8°C (57°F). Winters are severe, lasting from December to March, with January as the coldest month—averages ranging from -8.3°C (17°F) to 0°C (32°F). Proximity to the ocean moderates temperatures somewhat, but the area receives significant precipitation, including fog and storms influenced by the Gulf of Maine. This climate supports diverse ecosystems, from coastal forests to alpine-like zones on higher elevations, and enhances the region's appeal for seasonal tourism.
Indigenous Peoples and Pre-Colonial History
The history of Bar
Harbor, Maine, begins with the indigenous Wabanaki Confederacy,
comprising nations such as the Penobscot, Passamaquoddy, Maliseet, and
Micmac, who have inhabited the region for approximately 13,000 years.
These Native American peoples lived off the land and sea, engaging in
hunting, fishing, gathering berries, clams, and plants. They referred to
Mount Desert Island, where Bar Harbor is located, as Pemetic, meaning
"range of mountains" or "mountains seen at a distance," and specifically
called the Bar Harbor area Man-es-ayd'ik or Ah-bays'auk, translating to
"clam-gathering place" or "clambake place." Evidence of their presence
includes large shell heaps along the shores, indicating seasonal camps
for shellfish harvesting. By around 1600, the Wabanaki population in the
region numbered about 32,000. Many of Maine's culinary traditions, such
as those involving seafood, shellfish, maple syrup, and blueberries,
have roots in Indigenous practices. The Passamaquoddy and Penobscot
tribes, part of the broader Abenaki groups, maintained year-round
habitation on the island before European contact.
European
Exploration and Early Settlement (1600s–1700s)
European involvement
started in the early 17th century. In September 1604, French explorer
Samuel de Champlain, sailing for Sieur de Monts, ran aground near Otter
Cliffs and came ashore to repair his vessel. He interacted with local
Wabanaki natives, mapped the area, and named the island Isles des Monts
Deserts ("island of barren mountains"), which became Mount Desert
Island, the largest in Maine. Champlain's visit marked the first
documented European contact, though earlier sightings by explorers like
the Norsemen (around 1000 AD), the Cabots, Portuguese, and Giovanni da
Verrazano (who named the region "Acadia" in the 1520s) are noted in
historical records. In 1613, Jesuits attempted a mission at Saint
Sauveur near Compass Harbor but were attacked by English forces under
Captain Samuel Argall, destroying the settlement.
French claims
persisted through feudal grants. In 1688, Antoine de la Mothe, Sieur de
Cadillac, received a grant for Mount Desert Island and surrounding areas
from Governor Denonville, centering on the Sullivan River and extending
to Schoodic Point. Cadillac Mountain is named after him. The area saw
use as a French naval staging point in the 1690s, including executions
and raids during conflicts like King William's War. Wars and boundary
disputes prevented permanent settlement until after England's conquest
of Canada in 1760.
Permanent European settlement began in 1761 when
Abraham Somes established Somesville, the first village on the island,
naming Somes Sound (the East Coast's only natural fjard). In 1763,
Israel Higgins and John Thomas became the first to settle in what is now
Bar Harbor. Early settlers from Cape Ann and Nova Scotia focused on
northeast shores, building homes at sites like Bar Harbor, Duck Brook,
Hull’s Cove, and Cromwell’s Harbor by 1772. During the Revolutionary War
(1775–1783), the area remained somewhat neutral but supported
Massachusetts, with local militia aiding attacks and facing British
raids. Post-war, Cadillac's descendants, like Marie Therese de Gregoire,
reclaimed parts of the island in 1786, leading to surveys and sales.
Incorporation and Early Development (Late 1700s–Mid-1800s)
On
February 23, 1796, the area was incorporated as the Town of Eden, named
after British statesman Sir Richard Eden or for its natural beauty, with
the original document signed by Samuel Adams. Early industries included
fishing, lumbering, shipbuilding, and agriculture, particularly dairy
farming due to fertile soil. By 1809, over 100 vessels were built,
peaking between 1815 and 1858 at sites like Cromwell’s Harbor and Hull’s
Cove. Churches emerged, with Baptists in 1799 and Methodists soon after.
The War of 1812 brought British privateer raids, but the town recovered.
In 1837, a toll bridge connected the island to the mainland.
The
1840s marked a shift with Hudson River School artists like Thomas Cole
(who sketched in 1844), Frederic Edwin Church, Fitz Henry Lane, William
Hart, and Thomas Birch capturing the rugged landscapes. Their works,
exhibited widely, attracted journalists, sportsmen, and "rusticators"
seeking natural beauty. By 1861, the island had four towns and a
population of 4,000. Wabanaki began selling crafts like sweetgrass
baskets. The first hotel, Agamont House, opened in 1855 by Tobias
Roberts, followed by Deering House in 1858. Steamers like the Lewiston
brought passengers regularly from 1868.
Rise as a Resort Town and
Gilded Age (Late 1800s–Early 1900s)
By 1880, Bar Harbor had 30 hotels
and rivaled Newport, Rhode Island, as a Gilded Age resort. Wealthy
elites from families like the Rockefellers, Vanderbilts, Astors,
Morgans, Pulitzers, and Fords built opulent "cottages"—grand estates
with stables, greenhouses, and servant quarters—along the shoreline.
Notable examples include Birch Point (1868, first summer estate),
Briarfield (1887), La Rochelle Mansion (1902), and The Bayview (1930).
The Rodick House, a 600-room society hotel, epitomized luxury. Visitors
arrived by train, steamship, or ferry for yachting, garden parties at
clubs like the Pot and Kettle (founded 1899), carriage rides up Cadillac
Mountain, and horse racing at Robin Hood Park. Kebo Valley Golf Club
(1880, oldest in Maine) hosted President William Howard Taft in 1910.
Landscape architect Beatrix Farrand designed gardens for estates and
Acadia's carriage roads.
Philanthropy flourished: John D. Rockefeller
Jr. donated land and built carriage roads for Acadia National Park
(1913–1941). George B. Dorr spearheaded the park's creation, starting as
Sieur de Monts National Monument (1916), becoming Lafayette National
Park (1919), and Acadia (1929). In 1887, electricity arrived, followed
by sewers and a board of health after epidemics. Automobiles were
initially banned but allowed island-wide in 1913. Scandals, like the
1943 murder of Sir Harry Oakes, added intrigue. Bar Harbor became a
social capital, with elites like John Jacob Astor IV (who perished on
the Titanic in 1912) and his wife summering there.
Name Change
and Early 20th Century Developments
On March 3, 1918, Eden was
renamed Bar Harbor, referencing the sandbar linking to Bar Island at low
tide. The name symbolized its resort identity. Institutions grew: The
Abbe Museum (1928) celebrated Wabanaki culture; the Criterion Theatre
(1932) opened in Art Deco style; research labs like Jackson Laboratory
(1921) and MDI Biological Laboratory emerged. World War I saw radio
stations, and World War II brought radar bases and naval torpedo
practices on Bald Porcupine Island (1944), with unexploded ordnance
found in 1996. The Great Depression and income tax eroded opulence,
shifting from hotels to cottages.
The Great Fire of 1947
A
pivotal event was the Great Fire of October 1947, part of Maine's
widespread wildfires amid severe drought. Ignited on October 17 near
Dolliver’s dump in a cranberry bog (possibly from cigarettes or glass
refraction), it smoldered before raging with winds on October 21. The
blaze burned 17,188 acres, including over 10,000 in Acadia National
Park, destroying 67 summer cottages on Millionaires’ Row, 170 permanent
homes, and five historic hotels (Agamont, Belmont, DeGregoire, Hamor,
and Malvern). Residents evacuated to the athletic field and pier, with
aid from neighboring towns, the National Guard, and U.S. military. The
fire reached the ocean at Otter Point, was controlled by October 27, and
fully extinguished by November 14, causing over $23 million in damage
but minimal loss of life. It ended the Gilded Age "cottage era," leading
to rebuilding with motels for tourists.
Modern History
(1950s–Present)
Post-fire, Bar Harbor rebuilt as a vibrant tourist
destination, with a 2020 population of 5,089. Acadia National Park,
encompassing much of the island, attracts over 3 million visitors
annually for hiking, biking, birdwatching, and maritime tours. The town
hosts the College of the Atlantic, research labs, and serves as a
gateway to the park, including Cadillac Mountain. Surviving historic
homes became inns, and celebrities like Martha Stewart, Susan Sarandon,
and business leaders own properties. Cruise ships bring thousands
(capped at 1,000 daily disembarkations in 2022 due to overtourism), and
ferries connect to Nova Scotia. In 2021, vacation rentals were limited
to preserve housing. The Wabanaki Confederacy endures with about 8,000
members, and local cuisine highlights blueberries, seafood, and lobster.
Bar Harbor remains a blend of natural beauty, history, and modern
appeal, recognized for public spaces like the Village Green.