Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1908-04-15
TO BOOM SORRENTO.
IMPORTANT TRANSFER OF PROP
ERTY THERE.
LAST OF THE JONES INTERESTS BOUGHT
IMPROVEMENTS CONTEMPLATED
HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS.


The most important transaction in sum-
mer resort property in Maine in recent
years, involving property to the value OF
quarter OF q million dollars, has just been
concluded at Sorrento. The transfer
means much for Sorrento, as it removes q
handicap under which the town has long
been laboring, and places the property in
hands of parties to whose interest it will
be to develop it as summer resort. The
location OF Sorrento, its beautiful scenery
and climate, and improvements already
made there, justly entitle it to leading
place among the coast resorts of Maine,
and there is no reason why she should not
soon rival her big sister across the bay.
The Frank Jones estate has sold to
George IL. Grant, OF Ellsworth, all its
holdings at Sorrento, which includes five
hundred acres of land and five large COT
tages. The millionaire brewer expended
S3oO,000 in the development OF this prop
erty. Since his death, the property has
been tied up during settlement of the
large estate. Mr.. Grant has sold a quar-
ter interest to Mrs. II. N. Slater, of Bos-
ton, wealthy Bar Harbor cottager.
One of the most important changes
which will be made at once, in time for
the coming season, will be to convert two
OF the large cottages-"Rockend" and
Lookout" into hotel. Together they
will have about forty rooms.
One of the new features W ill be the din
ing-room opening on to a large, roomy
piazza, with plate glass windows, which
will afford a charming view of French
| mans bay and the mountains. 1t is in
tended to serve dinner parties, afternoon
teas, etc. The latter may be served on the
lawns under the magnificent shade trees
which cover the grounds. The house and
grounds will be lighted by electricity.
Just short distance from this hotel is a
fine, secluded cove, with excellent beach
for bathing. Visitors to Sorrento never
tire OF the surroundings. There are
beautiful drives and walks in every direc-
ton, and the scenery surpasses that OF
Bar Harbor, affording broader view OF
bay, sea and mountains.
| Particular attention will be paid to
automobile tourists, and Sorrento will be-
come the headquarters for Bar Harbor
cottagers who wish to enjoy motoring, but
are restricted from doing SO at Bar Harbor.
A short sail across the bay, and their
automobiles are at hand for spin through
the most delightful scenery Of Maine. A
large garage will be built at Sorrento.
| Sorrento is the same distance from Els
worth as Bar Hsrbor, and all autos des-
tined for Bar Harbor have to pass through
Ellsworth, SO the distance would be the
same and the roads equally as good. The
ferry will take the tourists to Bar Harbor.
The valuation and taxes at Sorrento are
reasonable. There are good stores, mark
cts, postoffice, telegraph and telephone
stations, schoolhouse, livery stable, golf
links and tennis courts. There is a pic
turesque church and rectory and beauti-
full public library, both built by summer
wood Inn club, maintained blythe visit
| ors.
| A beautiful lake five miles northeast of
Sorrento and about 800 feet above sea level
furnishes pure water for one OF the finest
underground systems in the country. The
village Is supplied with hydrants and fire
apparatus.
The Cockrans, prominent summer res
idcnts, last year purchased the water
works and the wharf property. A new
wharf has been built, and those properties
will be developed and maintained for the
| benefit Of the public.
The new owners of the Jones interests
control miles of shore front that will be
kept open for the benefit'of all visitors.
There will be no fences to bar the lovers
of the water front from enjoying beaches
and walks. The harbor is protected and
perfectly safe for small boats at all times.
Among prominent summer cottagers at
Sorrento are Chief Justice M. w. Fuller
OF the United States supreme court, OF
Washington, d. c.; Mrs. W. F. Cochran,
Mrs. Daniel Lamont, Mrs. Susan V. Baker
Miss Clara Spence and Thomas Ewing, jr.,
of New York; Mrs. Percy &. Stewart
Plainfield, N. j.; Rev. Thomas E. Free
man, Yonkers, n. Y; Mrs. Martha )
Jones, Mrs Emma j. Sinclair, Mrs. DR.
Jackson, DIR. F. w. Goss, The Misses
Edmunds, Mrs. F. S. Woodman, Mrs. Ida
F. WILDER, of Boston; z. Chaffee, of Provi-
dence, II. /.
Mr.. Grant has been identified with the
development of seashore property and
business enterprises in Hancock county
among them the Bar Harbor Banking &
Trust Co., the Bar Harbor Electric Light
Co., the Bar Harbor Record, the Hancock
county telephone system, the Sorrento
electric light system, and the Hancock
| Point Water Co.