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The Bridges of Acadia National Park...Mount Desert Island, Maine

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Real Estate Agent

The Bridges of Acadia National Park...Mount Desert Island, Maine

Acadia National Park, located principally on Mount Desert Island (MDI) in Maine, is a 35,000 acre national treasure consisting of mountains, lakes, ocean and forest. If you have not had the chance to visit, I strongly urge you to make it a vacation destination that you will never forget.

During the turn of the century, MDI and its villages of Bar Harbor, Seal Harbor and Northeast Harbor, became the summer play land of the rich and famous, and included the Rockefellers, Vanderbilts, Fords, Morgans, Astors and Pulitzers. They built lavish "cottages," mansions really, of gigantic proportions, and acquired large tracts of land on the island. Their opulent summer lifestyles were far from that of the native fishermen and farmers. Surprisingly, it was through the generous donations of land by these wealthy summer vacationers that helped develop Acadia National Park, the first national park created by donations from private citizens.

John D. Rockefeller Jr., alone, donated moreHorse Drawn Carriage
than
10,000 acres of land including a significant section of coastline. While roads for access to many parts of the island were being created and improved, Rockefeller became concerned the island would become over-run with tourist-driven automobiles and wished to preserve the rustic and peaceful natural beauty of the island. In 1913, he spearheaded a project to create 57 miles of "carriage roads" where travel by motorized vehicles would be prohibited. Even today, these roads are limited to horsedrawn carriages, horseback, bicycling, hiking and cross country skiers.

In order to construct these roads it was necessary to bridge waterways, ravines and even the park roadways. Using local granite and cobblestones, 17 mortar core and earth filled spandrel arch bridges, designed by Welles Bosworth and Charles Stoughton, were constructed. With the exception of one faced with cobblestones, these beautiful bridges were faced with hand hewn granite.

Having spent many years in bridge construction, I found these bridges fascinating and hope you do too!

Cobblestone Bridge, the first bridge built and completed in 1917
Stone Bridge

Triple Arch Duck Brook Bridge, one of the longest in the park. Note the viewing turrets.

Stone Arch Bridge

Bubble Pond Bridge. This bridge originally spanned the Park Loop Road. In 1980, the Park Loop Road was relocated becuase it was felt it passed too close to Bubble Pond.
Stone Arch Bridge

You pass under this bridge as you leave the park and head towards Seal Harbor

Triple Arch
Stone Arch Bridge

This carriage road bridge passes over Route 233 near one park entrance.
Stone Arch BridgeStone Arch Bridge Evening Sky

Although not a carriage road, this bridge of similar style can be found along the Park Loop Road.

Stone Arch Bridge

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Comments (22)

John McCarthy
North Hampton, NH
Realtor - Seacoast NH

Andrea - Chris and I honeymooned there in 1995. We picked a place that had to meet the following criteria - 1) neither of us had ever been there and 2) would be close enough to drive to if we ever wanted to return. We have gone back nearly every September since then. You will just love it when you do go. I can't imagine a more beautiful place to work as a park ranger.

Jun 14, 2011 12:26 AM
John McCarthy
North Hampton, NH
Realtor - Seacoast NH

Good Morning Toni - Within the park, and a focal point, is Cadillac Mountain. The top of Cadillac is where the sun first hits the western hemisphere. On a typical sunrise, you will find yourself huddled (and cold!) among a group of 20 - 100 people waiting, like lemmings, with cameras for that first peek of the sun. Unforgettable, just like the bridges!

Jun 14, 2011 12:33 AM
Brin Realty Associates Team At Bean Group
Bean Group | Brin Realty Associates - Amherst, NH
Amherst NH homes and Southern NH real estate

Beautiful photos John.  My family is from this area...my Great Grandparents told me over and over about being at their home on Deer Isle and seeing the massive fire that swept across that area in the early 1900's. 

Can't tell you how much I enjoyed these photos...I will have to take a trip up there this year!

Jun 14, 2011 01:01 AM
Kenneth Cole
Weichert Realtors Appleseed Group, 2043 Richmond Ave. S.I.N.Y. 10314. office phone 718-698-9797, Appleseedhomes.com... - Staten Island, NY
NYS Licensed Real Estate Salesperson

Good morning John;  beautiful pictures, thank you for posting.

Jun 14, 2011 01:45 AM
John McCarthy
North Hampton, NH
Realtor - Seacoast NH

Hi Rene - I hope you still get to travel up there. I haven't been to Deer Isle. That fire happened in October of 1947 and is remembered as the year Maine burned. State-wide, over 200,000 acres burned and over 1000 homes and cottages were lost. The weather that year was very similar to our weather this year with rain throughout April, May and June. Most of the "cottages" that were lost were not rebuilt by these wealthy families who were now hit with the newly instituted income tax. The remaining cottages in Bar Harbor, like the Mosely Cottage, have been converted into grand bed & breakfasts.

Jun 14, 2011 02:08 AM
John McCarthy
North Hampton, NH
Realtor - Seacoast NH

Hi Kenneth - Thanks for dropping by. We have taken hundreds of photos of MDI and Acadia National Park. The beauty is breathtaking. As you travel along the Park Loop Road where it follows the ocean, you think you have just seen the most beautiful stretch possible and then you round the next curve and find the next stretch more beautiful than the last. Chris and I have named this phenomena "Scenic Beauty Overload."

Jun 14, 2011 02:15 AM
Cindy Westfall
Premiere Property Group,LLC Portland Metro & Suburbs Oregon - Tualatin, OR
ABR,GRI Your Tualatin & Portland Metro Real Estate

Good morning John, They sure don't make em like that anymore. I've never been to Acadia National Park but sure does look like a beautiful place. The one picture almost looks like the moon..very cool. Even though I grew up on LI, I never really ventured up to your neck of the woods and Maine. What was I thinking?

Jun 14, 2011 02:58 AM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

John,

You stir up so many good and wonderful memories for me. Everyone should put Acadia National Park in their bucket list. I also love Bar Harbor. It's a wonderful, quaint and friendly town. Your photos makes me homesick for the places I loved best.

Patricia

Jun 14, 2011 03:18 AM
John McCarthy
North Hampton, NH
Realtor - Seacoast NH

Hi Cindy - Acadia is a jewel in the crown of the National Park Service. I might post some random park photos tomorrow for Wordless Wednesday so you get a better feel for this very special place.

Patricia - Well then, you need to plan a trip back east and come and visit! Catching a sunrise at the top of Cadillac Mtn is a great way to put perspective back in your life. We have gone there for so many years, we know many of the shop owners and restauranteurs by first name.

Jun 14, 2011 03:31 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

This looks like a wonderful place to visit.  Thanks for sharing your photographs!

 Blooming for you!

Jun 14, 2011 03:35 AM
John McCarthy
North Hampton, NH
Realtor - Seacoast NH

Hi Roy - Stop back tomorrow and I'll post more photos of Acadia! I hope this will inspire you to make a trip up here with Dolores.

Jun 14, 2011 03:44 AM
Judi Boad
ACCURATE REALTY GROUP - Seattle, WA

Hi John~ I saw your wonderful post through Roy Kelly's re-blog and had to stop by!

The bridges of Acadia National Park you have shared with us are astounding.

What great beauty and splendor we enjoy throughout this inspired country!

Best regards,

Jun 14, 2011 04:20 AM
John McCarthy
North Hampton, NH
Realtor - Seacoast NH

Hi Judi - Well then, I owe Roy a big thanks for bringing you here! Patricia above said it so well...everyone should add a trip to Acadia to their bucket list. One of the things I enjoy so much about ActiveRain is learning a little something about different parts of the country through our member blogs and the photos they share. Thank you for stopping by!

Jun 14, 2011 04:52 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

I only visited Bar Harbor and Acadia park once ~ about 25 years ago.  It was pouring rain (sheets of rain!) so it was difficult to enjoy the scenery.  But your photos make me want to try again.  Thanks for sharing!

Jun 14, 2011 06:54 AM
John McCarthy
North Hampton, NH
Realtor - Seacoast NH

Kathleen - We always try go back around the third week of September and have reliably good weather, but we have also been as late as Columbus Day. The summer crowd has gone and all the shops and restaurants are still open. If it has been chilly, you might even catch some fall color here and there. If you decide to go, I can help you find some of the great restaurants in the area.

Jun 14, 2011 07:05 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

I wish we had a "like" button!   How'd you know that's what I would want?   I love great restaurants!  If we go I'll definitely get in touch with you!!!!

Jun 14, 2011 10:50 AM
Diane McDermott
Realtor®, GRI, Landis e2 Real Estate, LLC - Charlotte, NC
Charlotte NC Real Estate Market

John, those are truly beautiful and just full of history, wonderful photos - Acadia looks like an incredible place to visit

Jun 14, 2011 01:18 PM
John McCarthy
North Hampton, NH
Realtor - Seacoast NH

Hi Kathleen - I'm going to send you some places offline that will make you go crazy! I can help you with BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND DINNER. In sixteen years we have been to them all. I like to consider my self "The Phantom Gourmet." Oh yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I promise to make the drive to Bar Harbor worth the trip!

Diane - Please make this a vacation destination. There is beauty there you have never seen. Thank you for coming by.

Jun 14, 2011 04:26 PM
Brin Realty Associates Team At Bean Group
Bean Group | Brin Realty Associates - Amherst, NH
Amherst NH homes and Southern NH real estate

1947, good to know.  I used to work at a large shipyard in the area and I remember the boat we built for an owner of a cottage in Bar Harbor...He didn't want to use the boat, but had a lobster boat built so he could put it on a mooring and watch it bob around from his house...amazing.  Then there was the guy that winterized his fresh water system with vodka...yup, cleaned out the local "greenfront" of their vodka supply each Fall.

Jun 18, 2011 02:08 AM
John McCarthy
North Hampton, NH
Realtor - Seacoast NH

Rene - I guess in his own quirky way, he was helping the local economy. Same with the guy winterizing his boat, which reminded me of another use for vodka. I had a friend who owned a beach bar on St. Croix and they washed the bar down at night with vodka. Let's see Windex at $9 or vodka at $2?

Jun 18, 2011 02:25 AM