Bar Harbor, Maine, Mt. Desert Island, From Newport House, 1901

Bar Harbor, Maine, boasts a rich and varied history, with its roots tracing back to the Native American Wabanaki people who summered on Mount Desert Island for thousands of years. The town was first settled by Europeans in the 18th century and originally named Eden, after Sir Richard Eden, an English statesman. In the 19th century, Bar Harbor gained prominence as an elite summer resort, attracting wealthy families like the Rockefellers, Morgans, and Vanderbilts, who built lavish cottages there. This era saw the town become synonymous with affluence and high society. The early 20th century brought a shift, as many of these opulent estates were destroyed in the 1947 fire that ravaged much of Mount Desert Island. In the wake of this disaster, Bar Harbor reinvented itself as a tourist destination, welcoming a wider array of visitors to enjoy its stunning natural scenery, including Acadia National Park, established in 1916. The town's blend of natural beauty, rich history, and cultural legacy continues to make it a cherished destination for travelers from around the world.