Kittery to Bar Harbor: Touring Coastal Maine

Maine's more than 3,000 miles of rocky coastline, picturesque islands, sandy beaches, iconic lighthouses, and quintessential New England harbors have lured visitors since the middle of the 19th century. Steamships first transported sportsmen and "rusticators" along the coast. Soon summer colonies formed, and art schools flourished. Expanding train travel led to the development of seaside resorts with grand hotels, while America's wealthiest families built opulent summer "cottages" in exclusive enclaves. Yachts became common sights along the coast and cruising grew in popularity. With the 20th century came the automobile and the development of the highway system, including Route 1, which encouraged road trips. The history of touring the Maine coast between 1860 and 1960 offers fascinating insight into the history of Maine, tourism, and America itself.

Erika J. Waters, Ph.D., is an adjunct professor at the University of Southern Maine and was a Fulbright Scholar in 2005. She has taught at the University of the Virgin Islands, was founding editor of The Caribbean Writer, and has edited collections of poetry, criticism, drama, and fiction. Her research on early writers was funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.