Contributed by Penobscot Marine Museum
Description
The Oake Grove Hotel, opened by W. Herbert Reed, started as a household rooming house in the 1880s, and developed over the decades to be the largest hotel in the region. From a modest expansion in 1892 to accommodate more boarders, his hotel grew to have 146 rooms.
The hotel provided much more than sheets and food, with dances, concerts, and lectures often offered. At the height of the summer season in the early and mid-1900s, some inns had their own columns in the local paper. In late July 1916 the Oake Grove column reported outings in the boats "Gee Whiz" and the "Get2It" to the islands and an excursion to Oak Point for one of Captain Free McKown's clambakes. Boatbuilder Manley Reed took special care of the Oake Grove guests, making himself available for ferrying in the "Avalon."
In the 1920s the Oake Grove advertised rooms from $6 to $10 a night, all with private baths. The hotel had a dining room for chauffeurs through the 1950s.
During World War II the hotel closed for one year because of rationing.
Many employees returned year after year and met their spouses there. Reunions continue for 30 years after the Reed family sold the hotel and it was razed in 1964.
About This Item
- Title: Oake Grove Hotel, Boothbay Harbor, ca. 1910
- Creator: Eastern Illustrating & Publishing Co.
- Creation Date: circa 1910
- Subject Date: circa 1910
- Location: Boothbay, Lincoln County, ME
- Media: Glass Plate Negative
- Dimensions: 12.7 cm x 17.8 cm
- Local Code: LB2007.1.104951
- Collection: Eastern Illustrating & Publishing Co.
- Object Type: Image
Cross Reference Searches
Standardized Subject Headings
- Boats
- Eastern Illustrating & Publishing Company
- Ferries
- Hotels
- Photographic postcards
- Postcards
- Schooners
People
Other Keywords
For more information about this item, contact:
Penobscot Marine MuseumPO Box 498, 5 Church Street, Searsport, ME 04974
(207) 548-2529
Website
This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. No Permission is required to use the low-resolution watermarked image for educational use, or as allowed by the applicable copyright. For all other uses, permission is required.
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