MEMORIES OF OLD BAR HARBOP MI. DESERT ISLAND MAINE There are not too many of us who remember Bar Harbor By Cathleen Sherman Clayton in its golden days, wonderful years when the splendid "cottages" and great hotels were lively centers of social life for the rich and famous. As a young woman, I remember coming home to Bar Harbor on the steamboat J. T. Morse - greeted by I was part of this scene. My parents were natives, and through diligent work had established a hardware our dear friend Capt. Joe Morton - and business that, from its beginning in 1892, has many other trips on the Mount Desert. continued under the same Sherman family. After a day at the store my father would often tell of meeting some of the illustrious visitors. Talking with John D. Rockefeller the day after I was born, he J. T. Morse learned that John D. had a new son, Nelson, born the same day. Because my father and mother enjoyed wide acquaintance among both natives and summer residents in all parts of the island, our summers were filled with social activities, picnics, and other outings and gatherings. Although I have been away for many years, I still fondly recall those happy times. Mount Desert The Steamboat Landing, Bar Harbor I recall delightful outings on the Ocean Drive, stopping at the S.P.C.A. station for a cool drink and to fill up the hot radiator of our car. We'd stop off at the Thunder Hole whenever high waves were crashing on the shore. Each summer we looked forward to horse shows at Robin Hood Park. Beautiful horses and I Remember splendid rigs in the ring - summer ladies in flowered hats - men in white flannels. Buying lobsters at $3 a dozen - buying a steak at Butterfield's Market and not asking the price. Watching the Philip Livingstons come around the corner of Main and Cottage Streets in their tallyho with coachman and footman. Going to the Star Theatre where owner Joe Emery took our tickets, and his niece Hilda Emery (later Mrs. Meyer Davis) played piano. Buying saltwater taffy at Miss Lufkin's Candy Shop, and stopping at Bee's to buy a miniature birchbark canoe on a postcard. Ice cream, at Fred Gonya's, made with real cream by Frank Carroll. The Ford (motor car) boys were often there. Playing with gold pieces at the big desk in my father's store. Going to the Girls Friendly Society at St. We enjoyed tea and popovers at Jordan Pond Saviour's - and, if you were lucky, a boy to with a view of the lake and The Bubbles - walk you home. and a visit with the McIntires who owned and managed this still lovely place. 69 Pleasant visits to Asticou Inn at Northeast Harbor with the Savage family who owned this popular resort. The whole family would go in our Bar Harbor a few decades earlier - 1889 7-passenger Studebaker - with me on a folding jump seat. And many happy rides in our cut- under along the carriage roads and over beautiful stone bridges. (No automobiles were allowed.) Bar Marbor What a time my older brother had teaching me to pronounce the name Battleship Texas of the German liner Kronprinzessin Cecilie, which came in to Bar Harbor at the start of World War I to avoid seizure on the high seas. Its cargo included gold and silver bullion. A favorite excursion was to Balance Rock. In summer I'd go there almost every day with our old Irish nurse. She loved to wade with me in the cold salt water to soothe her feet, and she always took home a jug of the water for later use. Battleship New York High point of the season - in August when the American and British war- ships would visit. My brother, Albion, then owner of the Bar Harbor Times, would take me out for a visit, and the Captain's gig would be sent for us. Evenings were gala with "cottage" dinner parties, dances on big yachts, and a ball at the Kebo Valley Club. 71 Every summer the Indians would come to Bar Harbor and, while the children played, the fathers and mothers and older ones would sit by the little huts where they lived, making birchbark canoes or weaving baskets of elm and sweet grass. PROVIDENCE The Lorraine Hotel I Remember Many summer evenings we'd sit on one of our porches at Royeden, now the site of the My godmother, Mrs. John Harrison, coming for me Town Motel, listening to string music to take a ride in her hansom cab with beautiful from the lobby of the Lorraine Hotel, black horses, a coachman and footman. First earlier known as the Louisburg. stop - the library. My handsome father in his white flannels and navy blue jacket ushering at St. Saviour's. Buying wonderful smelling hot bread and donuts at Ed Douglas's Bakery on Cottage Street. A good fish dinner for about 50 cents at Joy's or Murch's. Our family physician, Dr. C.C. Morrison, coming to our house to attend my three brothers and me. Talking with Steve Kingsley with his hearing horn. My brother Bill's being encouraged by summer resident Walter Damrosch to study music, and later becoming baritone soloist at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York. Visits with my cousin Frank Springer and good friend Harry Johnson, who were lifelong In winter we enjoyed iceboating o employees at our store. Eagle Lake, driving there with my fathe mother, and brother Bill in the compar sleigh drawn by two black mare 72 GREAT HOTELS MAGNIFICENT "COTTAGES" Some of the most wonderful picnics were at Long Pond with the Kimball family. They always brought delicious food from the renowned kitchen of their famous hotel, the Kimball House at Northeast Harbor. The Rodick Hotel The EYRIE, Seal Harbor, Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller CHATWOLD, Schooner Head Road, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Pulitzer ARCHBOLD COTTAGE Cleffstone Road, WINGWOOD HOUSE, Eden Street, Mrs. Anne Archbold Mr. and Mrs. E.T. Stotesbury