Bicycle Path, crosses Acadia National Park, Hancock County, ME

From the 1895 BHVIA 6th An. Rpt., "Early in the season a Committee was appointed to consider the subject of bicycle paths as suggested by Mr. George, B. Dorr who was made chairman of the committee....The work done by the bicycle-path committee this summer has been to lay out, and in so far as the funds at its disposal have permitted, to build a path about a mile in length, skirting the northwest base of Newport Mountain and opening at either end into the cross roads, for driving and riding, which is now being jointly built by the Village Improvement Assocation and the owners of the land between Schooner Head and Otter Creek town roads.  This path was selected for this first year's work because of the unusual beauty of the woods it opened up near to the town, and because of the courteous consent of Mr. Martin Roberts to allow his half-mile trotting track, which is at present the best bicycling ground upon the Island to be used in conjunction with the path." In the 1896 BHVIA 7th An. Rpt, George Dorr in his report of the Special Committee on Bicycle Paths, states, "The length of the combined system of wood roads and of the bicycle path, from which, moreover, two foot-paths lead up Newport Mountian and one upon Picket, cannot be far from a mile and a half in all, though probably somewhat less than this; and its nearness to the village, its connection with two town roads and with the mountain paths, make some supervision...necessary." The 1898 BHVIA 9th An. Rpt. of the Bicycle Committee states, "A large portion of the appropriation made has been already expended in putting the paths and roadway in good order for the summer's use; the remainder is reserved for the wages of a trustworthy man, who will take care of them...patrolling, as such, these roadways and their adjoining woods and foot-paths, so that ladies and children may be able at all times to use them freely and in security, ...fire" The 1899 BHVIA 10th An. Rpt. of the Bicycle Committee states, "the path, which had become badly washed by rains and worn by water dripping from the trees, has been resurfaced througout its whole extent.  Several additional culverts also have been added across it with open catch drains leading to them, where suface water used to flow upon the path, so that there will be less washing in the future.   "Work also which is not yet completed, has been done to re-shape and cover over two of the three gravel pits from which the path was built, to the end that them becom attractive features rather than disfigurements, the third being left open for future supply.  The material for resurfacing was difficult to get and this, together with the amout of ground to be gone over made the work expensive.  The cost of it largely exceeded the balance left on hand last fall after....." The 1900 BHVIA 11th An. Rpt, Bicycle Committee reports that the path is in excellent repair, and thoroughly graveled, but in need of trees to be planted for shade. Dorr also states, "Fewer people now ride that rode when the path was first built but by those who do ride and who do not care for hard and distant riding the path was much and very constantly in use last year throughout the season.  Its use in walking has increased so far as the shaded portion of it is concerned, and to increase it further a pleasant shaded foot-path has been built since last season that connects both it and the mountain paths with the sidewalk through the woods along the Schooner Head road." In the 1901 BHVIA 12th An. Rpt., the Bicycle Committee report describes plantings installed along the path, "Extensive planting has been carried out this year along the sides of the open portion of the path, to give them beauty and to give shade to the path in the near future.  The trees used were mainly ash trees, which seemed will suited to the soil and to the end in view;  they were planted thickly and irregularly, in order to obtain rapid growth and to get an effect in harmony with the naturally wooded character of the rest of the path;  these trees were were all planted in the fall, except where a number were broken by a winter storm and had to be replaced this spring, and they are all making good growth and doing well.  Portions of the path from which striking views of the mountain are obtained have been left unplanted with trees, however, and along these as well as along the whole length of the bank that covers a drain upon the western side and protects the path from overflow by surface water from the higher ground above, the ground has been prepared with fresh loamy material and seeds of wild flowering plants of low growth have been sown to give the wayside beauty.  Views of wild effect have also been planted along the fence that separates the path from Robin Hood Park, wherever opportunity offered and where it was not hidden by the growth of trees." In the 1907 BHVIA AN. Rpt. The Sub-committee on Newport Mountain Roadway and Bicycle Pathby George Dorr, Chairman of Sub-committee, states, "Fifty dollars will be required for the repair and care of the Bicycle Path, on which some resurfacing is now in progress at its westerly end.  For this work a gravel pit has been opened on adjoining land." In the 1908 BHVIA An. Rpt. Bicycle committeby Dorr, "...The Bicycle Path is now used mainly as a walk..." The 1914 BHVIA 25th An. Rpt., Report of the Trees and Planting Committee by Matilda Markoe, Chairman, states "the bicycle path no longer exists" The 1914 BHVIA 25th An. Rpt., Report of the Roads and Paths Committee by Rudolph E. Brunnow, Sept. 10, 1914 states "$50.62 were used in widening the path leading from the Bicycle Path over Little Meadow Hill to the Gorge Road and in removing underbrush."

0.8 miles

Around Beaver Dam Pool.

The historic trail system of Acadia National Park is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, recognized for its national significance and ties to the history of Mount Desert Island and establishment of the park. The system's period of significance starts in 1844 and ends in 1942. The listing encompasses 109 trails traversing 117 miles on Mount Desert Island (some extending outside the park) and includes 18 memorial plaques, 12 viewpoints, and unique engineering features.

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Microsoft Access database used in preparation of report Pathmakers: Cultural Landscape Report for the Historic Hiking Trail System of Mount Desert Island by Coffin Brown, Margaret, Jim Vekasi, et. al. U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Washington, DC (2006); accessed June 2024.