Duck Brook Path, Acadia National Park, Hancock County, ME

This path may have been part of a pre-1760 Native American cross- island portage path from Bar Harbor to Seal Harbor to avoid circumnavigating the island by the rough coastal waters around Otter Point.  In addition this route would have provided access to inland hunting and fishing areas.  (Interview, Rebeca Cole-Will, Abbe Museum,6/97).  The path may be described in the 1897 BHVIA 8th An. Rpt., "Those familiar with the Duck Brook system will find the country about the reservoir much changed, as the water company has covered the pipe from Eagle Lake to the dam with gravel and dug up the old path in many places, and one now walks on this covering to go to the Bracken Path as well as to Eagle lake."The 1900 BHVIA 11th An. Rpt states, "A few of the new paths still require considerable work to be done on them, particularly the ...Duck Brook path.  This...path is in very bad condition, an as it is one of the most frequented paths an one of the most beautiful walks the committee hopes to have it thoroughly repaired before next season.The 1919 BHVIA 30th An. Rpt states, "The Duck Brook Path was rendered more passable by replacing logs along the bank for the purpose of retaining it, and new stepping stones near the brook were put in place."In the August 9, 1923 Meeting Notes, it is recorded that "Mrs. Henderson had presented to the Hancock County Reservation the Duck Brook Path and the Witch's Hole Path."The 1923 Annual Report of the Path Committee by Mr. F. D. Weekes, printed in the newspaper, states "Further work was performed also on Half Moon Pond and Duck Brook trails that has resulted in a much better condition of these two well-known and favorite walks.A path also that within the the past few years has fallen into disuse was reopened and cleared.  This leads from New Mill Meadow to the trail that proceeds from Duck Brook to the Witch Hole Pond.  This will be found, it is believed, a valuable addition to the present path system."The 1925 BHVIA 34th An. Rpt.  states "...putting in 267 stepping stones largely on the Duck Brook trail and the Fawn Pond trail from Breakneck Road along the brook to the west of Breakneck Road - which were badly washed out after the great storm of August 26, 1924..."The path is shown on the 1942 "NPS Master Plan of the Bar Harbor Area." The path is no longer marked on the 1951 NPS Road and Trail System Plan (part of a master plan).

1.5 miles

From Eden street to Eagle Lake Road.

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.

100007602

311

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.