Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1881-08-23
OLD ORCHARD LETTER.
OLD ORCHARD BEACH, MAINE, /
Aug. LIST, 1881.

~ Aug. LIST, 1881. 4
To the Editor of the DEMOCRAT
As the pleasure season at Old Orchard is
now approaching its height, perhaps. . few
notes on the past history as we'll as the
present condition OF this popular summer
resort would not be embarrassing to your
readers:
For two centuries this Beach was visited
first on the oath and afterward on the 26th
of June, each year, by the earlier inhabit-
ants of the surrounding country for miles
around, on account Of the existence OF
tradition that on that day the ocean was
possessed ofremarkable healing properties,
aud many are the reports Of those who
have been cured by bathing In the noisy
surf. Although this superstition Is being
forgotten, many arrive, and the pleasure
season may be considered rs opening at
about that time.
Although, a. has been said, the Beach
has been the favorite resort for bathing by
people in the vicinity, II Is but compare
lively few years ago that the only objects
to be noticed by the occasional visitor,
were few farm houses scattered here and
there. 1t is now some forty years since
the Beach first began to be sought by those
desiring 10 spend lew Heets away from
the city during the summer mouths. IN
1897 a few individuals, struck with the AL
vantages OF the beach, ana the beauty oil
the surrounding country, engaged board
OF Mr. Staples, the present proprietor OF
the Old Orchard House, and on the follow
ing year more came than could be accom-.
iaodaled. tmoHg those who first Visited
The place were families from Montreal. who
traversed the long distance from there to
the sea In their carriages large mum.
Der of those who visit the Beach at the
present time are from Montreal and other
hariS Of Ealaq4
With the building ct tue Portsmouth \
Portland II. Il. IN lsi2, aud the Grand
Trunk from Montreal 10 Portland In 1852,
the station at Saco being but four miles
l!c:fa. the demand for board began 10 In.
crease AID Ma. stowl, ualil AZ the r.eaeat
-. .h~ra are forty or more hotels and
ZANE
boarding houses In Old Orchard and the
immediate vicinity. The Old Orchard
House Is the largest or these, aceommo-
dating 900 guests, and was built by MIR.
Staples In 1876, his former hotel bearing
the same name having been destroyed by
fire on the previous year. This building
Is, without exception, the largest seaside
hotel In New England, and its size Is not
exceeded by the beauty OF It's architecture.
Situated on an cmincnce a short distance
back from the Beach, 1t commands fine
and full view OF the sea. Not far from the
Old orchard House and similarly situated,
il the Ocean House, the second hotel In
size upon the Beach. accommodating 400
guests Many OF the other hotels are sit
uatcd near the sea, so near, In fact, that at
high tide the water almost reaches their
doors The largest OF these Is the Sea-
shore House, run BY Mr.. $. G. Staples, a
son Of the proprietor Of the Old Orchard
House. The Central House, 30 called be-
cause situated halfway between Saco river
aud Scarboro, Is another important house.
Among the other hotels are the 81. Cloud,
which receives its name from the well
known palace built near Paris in the 10th
century the Fishc, the Blanchard, and tue
Brunswick, the la.t Of which was opened Q
year ago. The Aldne IL new house ops
ened this season. A short distance below
Old Orchard on the line of Their. Il whi' h
runs from the Beach to Saco river, anl On
wha, Is called Surry Beach. Is The Day
View House. where Mrs. Harriet Dsecher
Stowe has been stopping. 4 short dls.
lance above, on soarboro beach, are sew
eral hotels and boarding houses,
The large patronage which Old Orchard
receives is not without cause or undo
served, for the attractions OF the place are
many.
The Beach, the dpest on the American
coast, is al a crescent shape, AMI several
miles In length. The sand Is so solid that
carriages pass over 1t as they would upon
a pavement and an excellent chance for
driving is thus afforded. The Beach being
thus solid and gradually sloping, and the
tide without any dangerous endorsements,
the inducements for bathing are many and
much improved. In front or the Beach
stretches out the ocean presenting an eT.
tensive range for the sight, while In the
rear is varied aud beautiful scenery.
Fern Park, but a short distance from tho
Beach is place TO be sought by those
desiring pleasant and shady retreat. 1t
is composed OF forest partly OF evergreen
and partly OF hard wood, and although ma
ture Is left TO large extent undlsturbed,
walks and avenues have been laid out.
Here may be found many wild flowers and
ferns on account OF which the place ap-
proprIately received its name.
Directly opposite to this Park are the
grounds of the camp-meetipg association
which was formed in 1873, and which pnr-
chased a tract of about fifty acres, large
part of which Is covered with trees. In
this grove was sort Of natural amph!-
theatre. making it very desirable for camp
meetings, for the slope of the land Is such
that although seats for many thousand
have been built the voice of an ordinary
speaker can be heard by those occupying
the outside seats.