From collection Creating Acadia National Park: The George B. Dorr Research Archive of Ronald H. Epp

Page 1

Page 2

Page 3

Page 4

Page 5

Page 6

Page 7

Page 8

Page 9

Page 10

Page 11

Page 12

Page 13

Page 14

Page 15

Page 16

Page 17

Page 18

Page 19

Page 20

Page 21

Page 22

Page 23

Page 24

Page 25

Page 26

Page 27

Page 28

Page 29

Page 30

Page 31

Page 32

Page 33

Page 34

Page 35

Page 36

Page 37

Page 38

Page 39

Page 40

Page 41

Page 42

Page 43

Page 44

Page 45

Page 46

Page 47

Page 48

Page 49

Page 50

Page 51

Page 52

Page 53

Page 54

Page 55

Page 56

Page 57

Page 58

Page 59

Page 60

Page 61

Page 62

Page 63

Page 64

Page 65

Page 66

Page 67

Page 68

Page 69

Page 70

Page 71

Page 72

Page 73

Page 74

Page 75

Page 76

Page 77

Page 78

Page 79

Page 80

Page 81

Page 82

Page 83

Page 84

Page 85

Page 86

Page 87

Page 88

Page 89

Page 90

Page 91

Page 92

Page 93

Page 94

Page 95

Page 96

Page 97

Page 98

Page 99

Page 100

Page 101

Page 102

Page 103

Page 104

Page 105

Page 106

Page 107

Page 108

Page 109

Page 110

Page 111

Page 112

Page 113

Page 114

Page 115

Page 116

Page 117

Page 118

Page 119

Page 120

Page 121

Page 122

Page 123

Page 124

Page 125

Page 126

Page 127

Page 128

Page 129

Page 130

Page 131

Page 132

Page 133

Page 134

Page 135

Page 136

Page 137

Page 138

Page 139

Page 140

Page 141

Page 142

Page 143

Page 144

Page 145

Page 146

Page 147

Page 148

Page 149

Page 150

Page 151

Page 152

Page 153

Page 154

Page 155

Page 156

Page 157

Page 158

Page 159

Page 160
Search
results in pages
Metadata
1935-36
1935
elivial
1936
- C.C.C. Camp Closure
-fetter to Blus Perry is
Haward + visiting Connettee
-
Energine operation
-GBD & Trustees of Rever (MASS)
-hand donatra letter (10/2) to 6BD
- JDRYr. Deeds to NPS
alleght visit to AND
- Jr's pla to extend carriog road
SecInt (6/1) Rept. to Jr.
into Bar Harber area
- Ir to fo dick (9/24), length letter
a Tavern on Summit
mysterion letter Lr @
+ Tea House etc he Acad crap.
hello see GBD - 8/24/35
- S.Rodich to Jr (8/14) on CBD's
outcome ? Imp
- JDRF efforts to map road
land offer, Vint oppires Kebo
Road offer
development & extension ANP.
-lluseen - Reports, llay
Dec 36
- often cliffs Trail Proposal funtr.
-Dorr on new Nuseum for ANe(1(18)
-Parmits for auto use f carriage roads
from UPS Recasell.
for construct in am
- - GBD's (6111) response to TOR request
Cadellac lt. Road SdeMonto Spring
for $. Maine is his focus!
Connector and Oceanfrat (11/18/35)
- Avery trea t in flue birth of
Katahden N.P. via gov. Bastes, Rolde
JDRJr. "given up on horse road
- GBD to W.J. Scheetellin (7/12) ac
expansion@ H. Albright(511425)
me Porr's editing of his papers to
be published. ((dor's)
-
GBD'S glaucoma fargery
- Huscandualent (1/18-9)
(Hist of Tract of Land)
-letter to Mary Parker re famuly
1 H. albrights retirement, tunute fu FORK.
letters (10/1)
- Two letters (8/14) criticilor AND
-Dorr to G O'Neill inform
them that Dorr's cousin,
Administrati z A. Commerce re visit.
ume Endouth holdied (11/29)
- Detailed account by Dir.albright of
visit c to ANP 6/1/35
- Musium justification
(Dckes) 7
1 Retirement of Albught promatia of Commerce
(8910)
1 Letter fu Tremost Town only for Dorr's
help in keeping ccc cans's (9/24)
- Two C.C.C. Reports.
- Atterbory article on "Lodge 'Sate".
- Historic sites Act" of 1935 NPS
-Park Naturalist Reports
Advisory Board (8/21)
Haskey organ pest added
in Bangor (411)
1935
1936
-Jr. offers $15,000. to purchase
HCTPR lands (2/28)-unusued
-Albright to Free Dorr's health
(5/5)
-Hale letter (1/16/35) to Jr. is his
purchnot Bingham Estate see
12/3/34 letter from Jr,
-Jr (1/16) station stock in
Acadin Coup + shareholders
-Jr to Iches (3/14) Le historical essa
on ANP ad accessibility nc roads
and further upons, on.
- Cammerer to CBD (8/14) highly critical
of his admin, failure to secure Commerces etc.
- 6BD to S. Rodich (12/30/35) is extension
approval, overdney compreada,
Road diograe at 82 yrs.
A carrier road system into BH. GBO a
- thale to Jr. (1/16) on Black House history (propert
- With to Rev Sam Eliet (4/18) on history at Het RR
(4/18) that Elent will use in 1939 history
-Hadley's 11-page Lesprise to c.w. EliatII (2/27/51)
"Boudhes of ANP," including land acq by Jr.
-NYT article on park emargent (6/25)
-580 on Discover of NDI ANP," BHT (8(16).
Profile of staty of ANP.
-Historic Sites Act Passel
-Jr. nigits Bear -Valley)
-Albright to GBD (5/7) re Jr's.offer of
in road devel / Drrr's mortality
all of his lands (except to
U.S. Govt. Accepted by lecy Ickes.
- Fr. visits GBD in late summer re
GBDS health to rood though Bea Broul vally
-Ickes to Jr (7/25) ne deeds for park Canl
- Bege Report (4(21) on Acadialoudortigail -CCC
- Hadley ( 1/3) in CCC firstry writal AND
- Jr. to Commerce (10/1) ti fond donation Technotic.
In donuted also 3/17 (3/14), up. Value (#) of lands
1935 (cont.)
- Commerce to In in visit to MDI
+ park planning. (8/15) c Vint
A
a
-
Jr
-
-
-
-
do
Page 1 oF3
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
ACADIA NATIONAL PARK
BAR HARBOR, MAINE
OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT
January 3, 1935.
Mr. John D. Coffnan, Chief Forester,
National Park Service,
Washington, D. C.
C.C.C.
Dear Mr. Coffman:
To start the New Year off properly I am sending you the following
notes regarding forestry work now in progress at the Acadia National
Park.
Up to the first week in December we had had very little snow,
and practically no fire hazard reduction work had been done by any
of the three camps. Oz December 3rd, following a snowfall of a few
inches, we began the winter program with crews from the Ellsworth
camp on the highway at the head of Somes Sound. Since that time I
have talked to Project Superintendents Conner and Ingalls, and have
emphasized the importance of changing our practise in fire hazard
reduction in accordance with our discussion at Washington, and your
resulting letter of November 27th to Yr. Dorr.
Ellsworth Carp.
Fire hazard reduction and selective landscape cutting will be
directly supervised by landscape forepar Stanley Yusk (a graduate
forester). Since much of our work between Somesville Northeast
arbor will be done on park lands along the highway, I have carefully
planned the work to conform with your ideas. Mr. Yusk has my complete
confidence, and I plan to give a maximum of my own time while in the
field to work done by the two Island camps.
Yusk has worked out the following system, with my approval, for
cutting to be done on the rain highway. First, two crows
are
instructed
to remove all dead and down material, burning unusable material at
points selected by him for fires. Second, those trees which are
actually in a dying condition are marked by him, to be removed in a
second cutting of the area in question. This follow-up cutting is
done by a elected crow of men who are able to fell trees without
causing damage to reproduction, undergrowth, or telephone and power
lines in the road. Finally, cutting for landscape effect is done;
living trees which interfere with desirable views at selected points
being marked after I have gone over the areas in question.
l'e John I. Coffman, Page 2.
At many points along the highway I have considered it unwise,
and undesirable from a landscape viewpoint, to leave standing many
trees which because of disease or suppression have dead tops for
more than half of their height. Where they stand on north and
west sides of a highway I particularly try to fell all taller
tr es what are so unsound at the butt as to be a cerace to pursons
using the road. During high winds of late we have had many wind
thrown trees about the park. Even back from the roads it is, I
believe, bad colley to allow tall trees to crash into MESSUS of
fine younger growth with resulting breakage and damage and increased
fire hazard in future years. Spruce particularly is dangerous,
since many of the very finest nature trees are apt to be completely
hollow because of heart rotting Punji. Only carefil
"sounding
out"
with the hanner can determine whether such trees should be out.
here they are otherwise healthy I expect the foremen to allow ne
to pass upon their personally before they are fellod. The falling
of hollow trees across highways and trails is usually considered
an "act of Cod", but I do consider it our responsibility to
locate important basards of this ind and dispose of them before
roads are blocked or serious injury to persons or property occurs.
from the same angle, heavy dead limbs on healthy trees should be
removed from above roads and trails.
Jamps MP-1 and NP-2.
le and a ton inch 330mfail on anu by Lut, and following it
both 01 the Island caupe will have the reat art 1 hoir crows
doing fire hazard reduction work. den from cTarland ield Camp,
D-1, have been doing some ground cleanup of old
A. work
near the Ocean Drive, since early in December. Most of their work
from now on will be in the slash areas dear Aunt Betty's Pond.
D NEWS have been working Bor larra wooles In the Canada Hollow
section under Beech Mountain, where heavy clash was 1ert uffer
cutting by former private owners on lands recently added to the
work (1935). Possibly 200 seres of work is needed at this saint.
Jonnor and 2° ugails are recoving only used and
down material, and no healthy green fir is being out. In dense
growth It is accessary for force so mark standing dead wees.
"1" John D. Coffran, Page 3.
I am inspecting this work on alternate days, and am emphasizing
the proper location of brush fires and the leaving of snags at points
where they will do no damage by falling.
We are also emphasizing
the lack of necessity of burning logs and heavy parts of tops which
can be left flat upon the ground and will there soon decay. within
sight of roads and trails we are, of course, cleaning up all down
material except partly deenyed logs and stumps which do not add to
the fire hazard.
Incidentally, I am planning to have Mr. Stuples accompany no
occasionally on my inspection trips, so that he may be satisfied
that 100 are considering the 1138 Life angle of the problem.
in areas where Hr. Dorr will be especially interested in the
6BD
work I shall try to use my influence (such as it can be) to avoid
some of the "city park effects" we had last winter. Altogether,
I believe, we will be able to demonstrate considerable improvement
in both quality and quantity of work this winter. I might add th to
until April we shall probably do nothing but forestry work, except
for occasional snow shovelling by all hands such as we had today
with the personnel of all three camps.
I would like to be able to attund the ashington pacting of
the Society on January 28th, but although I have plenty of Annual
leave 20% I'm afraid that the excheequer you'r stand it. I presented
that
is 10 possible my of justifying Coverment spouse
allowung 100 in will of this bird, and so am resigned so dissing
probably the aost interesting meeting of the Society of American
Foresters since I "joined up" ten years ago.
Xy very best regards to Shanklin, Arnold, Thompson and the
ab
hallington.
Sincerely yours,
(GOD
B.Hadley
George B. Dorr Again Designated
S
As Acadia Park Superintende
1/9/35
BHT
Forty-S Thousand Dollars Is Recommended
Acidi
National Park In President's Budget Message
The President's budget message
terest to citizens of the island are
specifically designates George B.
$350,000 for the control of the
Dorr as superintendent of the
Japanese bettle; $159,015 for the
Acadia National Park and $46,-
eradication of insects affecting
000 is the total amount recom-
forests and forest products
mended for the park during the
$400,000 for the control of the
coming fiscal year. Last year
gipsy moth; $250,000 for white
the recommendation was for $41,-
pine blister rust control; $261,
470. The I sum of $3,000 is re-
156 for Dutch elm disease work;
commended for services in investi-
$32,939 for European corn borer;
as
gating titles and preparing ab-
$632,560 for the Bureau of fish-
stracts in relation to lands donat
eries for the propogation of food
ed to the park.
fishes and operation of fish hat
Other recommendations of in-
cheries.
March 1925.
Samuel A
My dear Dr. Eliot:-
Thanks for your very kind letter.I greatly fear,
however, that your are 90 generously inclined that you
overestimate.
I am delighted at the prospect of seeing you on the fift-
eenth of this month, and wish very much that you night t be
able to run out to Haverford where we could talk Mount Des-
ert here at my home.
The bibliography is now occupying my attention, though I
haven't had much time lately to put upon it,having been ab-
sorbed in writing a paper for Sprague's Journal, entitled:
Mount Degert:From Champlain to Bernard. It is rank propa-
ganda, stressing the historical significance of the names
of some of our mountains -Champlain, Saint Sauveur, Mansell,
Acadia, Cadillac, and Bernard. I truet that it will result
*
in silencing the Green-Dog-Robinson bunch who do not hesi-
tate to say that they see no rhyme or reason in the "new
names.
By the way, before I forget. In Street, p. 19, is the state-
ment, in reference to Champlain - that he "was all his life
a staunch Roman Catholic. = I find that this is questionable.
Recent investigators seem to conclude, since no baptismal rec
ord of the gentleman has ever beer. fund that he was not a
Catholic by birth There ia
Win O. Sawtelle
Heylon
copy
New York, March 14, 1935.
My dear Mr. Secretary:
When Acadia National Park was established,
it consisted only of mountain tops bought earlier by interest-
ed summer an winter residents of Mount Deser Island as
a protection against exploitation for cheap amusement
purposes and held in a corporation known as the Hancock
County Trustees of Public Reservations until they were
turned over to the Government. Thus the Park area at the
outset was not accessible to any highway and was traversed
only by foot trails. Believing hhat it should ultimately
extend to the ocean on one side and to Frenchmans Bay
on the other and that access to it would be desirable
not only for pedestrians, but, in carefully chosen areas,
for 1 overs of horses as well as automobilists, I began years
ago buing lands on the Island, having in mind to make
possible the rounding out of the Park boundaries and its
extension and development as above outlined.
Since that time I have built many miles of roads on
the lands which I own and on the Park lands adjacent there-
to, in the latter instance with proper Government approval
and consent and without obligation to the Park. Other
roads both for motors and horses have been approved
by the Government and are only awaiting public or private
funds for their construction. There are still others which
I have had laid out but which have not yet been officially
brought to the attention of the National Park Service or
made a part of its park development program. All of these
roads have been planned and the lands necessary therefor
acquired, in cooperation with the National Park Service
and with the general knowledge of the successive Secre-
taries of the Interior. Many of them have been studied and
passed upon by Mr. Frederick Law Olmsted, the landscape
architect.
Now that all the lands necessary to make possible the
above development program have been acquired I am making
the following proposal: If after careful review and
approval by your Department you should be disposed to
include these road , which have been planned but not yet
built, inthe official program for the development of
Acadia National Park with the understanding that they
would be built as opportunity offered and as funds, either
public or private, could be makde available, I am prepared
to deed to theGovernment for includion in Acadia National
Park all of the remainin; lands which I have acquired
for that purpose.
2
This would include (1) lands making possible the
extension of the present Park Motor Road across the
Eagle Lake Road, to the high bluffs overlooking Frenchmans
Bay with a Bar Harbor Park entrance on Eden Street at the
site formerly occupied by Mrs. Henderson's house, also a
horse road enter ing at the same pla ce and connecting with
the existing horse roads in that
HERBERT L. SATTERLEE
1 BEEKMAN PLACE
NEW YORK
March 21, 1935
Honorable George B. Dorr
Bar Harbor, Maine
Dear Sieur des Monts:
The other day our dear friend Florence Holt got back from
Boston where she had been to see Mrs. Bessie Evans, and told me
that you were not in Boston, so I take it for granted that you
must be in Bar Harbor. I feel sure that if you had gone down
to Washington and passed through New York, you would have let
us
get a glimpse of you. I hope that you have had a healthy and
happy Winter and that everything is going well with you. Let
me
particularly wish that the pains which bothered you last Summer
have gone and you can now walk freely and get about as you used
to do.
We have not heard a word about the progress of the road under
the Bee-Hive. There was a lot of blasting going on in there during
September and I suppose that it will be completed and opened this Sum-
mer, as well as the road around Otter Cliffs. Thus, the "March of Civi
lization" brings the horseless carriage and the tourists nearer to the
secluded haunts of the Satterlees! If these things bother us, we will
get used to them, because, in our feelings, we are still young yet and
consequently adaptable. The thing that concerned us a good deal when
we were at Great Head last Autumn was the work that was going on in the
huge gravel pit across the road from our place. I hope that you are
going to leave a good belt of trees along the old Ocean Drive so as to
make a screen against the "abomination of desolation" that is taking
place a few hundred feet back from the road. I should think that
you would make an opening from the new road into that pit so that if
trucks went in one way, they could go out the other. Anyhow, please
keep a lot of those beautiful old spruces along the roadside. We can
give you, from our nursery, a number of well-grown Scotch Pines to fill
up the chinks and hide the gravel pit.
Please remember that if there are any little white spruces on
the land that you are going to strip in order to take out gravel, we
would like to move them over to Great Head to fill up gaps along
the
front line behind the beach. "The Public" has a way, when it wants
to build a bon-fire, (if there are no Cops around) of cutting down
little white burches near the beach, and there ought to be, more-or
less, some automatic device of filling the bare spots.
If you could tell us for our own information which month next
Summer is going to have most of the blasting and noise of steam shovel:
Honorable George B. Dorr
-2-
March 21, 1935
it would help us to make our plans as to the weeks during which
we would keep the flag up on the topmast of the old schooner TAY,
at the Sand Beach.
I was sorry to learn during the Winter that Albert Lynam
Death albert 434/35 of
had passed away and do not know where you can get anyone to take
his place, in connection with the work of titles to parcels of land
that go into the Hancock County Trustee or Acadia National Park.
With kindest regards and best wishes from both of us, I re-
main,
Faithfully yours,
Page of
DDA 1 9/18/35
2682
C
O
P
Y
April 18, 1935
Rev. Samuel A. Eliot
25 Reservoir St.
Cambridge, Mass.
Dear Sir:
Today I am forwarding to you my report on the
activities of the Hancock County Trustees of Public
Reservations. I trust that in a measure, at least, it
will meet requirements.
An endeavor has been made to achieve a reasonable
degree of accuracy. This has necessitated a considerable
amount of checking, re-checking, tracing boundaries, maps
and other data. It has been time consuming, hence the
tardiness of the report. However, I have thoroughly en-
joyed the project.
The list of donors is disappointing and inade- -
quate. Many of the transfers of land, if not a majority
of them, were mode through parties not the real purchasers
and donors, or by one person representing several. The
result is that the registry of deeds has little to reveal
on this important phase of the matter. The records of the
secretary are concise and matter of fact and add but lit-
tle. Some of the deeds do recite that the land was a
gift, often a memorial. Mr. Dorr intends towrite up the
GED
human side of many of the transactions and the really
illuminating side of the history must await until he is
able to find leisure enough to devote to it.
Rev. Samuel A. Eliot
- 2 -
There is involved the question as to which is the
first piece of land given to the Reservations. The deed
to the Homans lot which included the Bowl is dated May 6,
1908. The deed to the Champlain Monument lot was dated
May 14, 1908 and recorded on June fifth of the same year.
The deed to the Homans lot was not recorded until August 17,
1908. Both gifts were instrumental in starting the ball
and the moot question need not be settled.
On August 20, 1929 the Trustees voted toauthor-
ize the transfer of, "All lands now standing in the name
of the Reservations except a strip of land one hundred and
fifty feet bordering the various lakes and their tributaries
furnishing water to the various t owns, except also a lot
containing approximately five acres on Barr Hill and a lot
where the Champlain Monument is on the Cooksey Drive, be
transferred to t he United States to form a part of Acadia
National Park, at such time as the said United States may
accept the same, and that the President or the First Vice-
President be and is authorized and instructed to make and
execute good and sufficient deeds to transfer said land
to the United States of America without money consideration
and only in consideration of any express or implied agree-
ment assuring the best and fullest use of t he land in
public interest as may seem to said officers executing said
conveyances satisfactory and in harmony with the Corporation's
public service aims."
Rev. Samuel A. Eliot
- 3 -
On June 22, 1931 it was voted to convey the
150 foot strip above mentioned and reserved f rom the
operation of the prior vote, subject to the interests of
the various water companies, to the United States. All
conveyances prior to August 28, 1930 were ratified by
vote of the Corporation on that date.
At present all lands which formerly belonged to
the Reservations east of Somes Sound, with the exception
of the Barr Hill lot and the Champlain Monument site, have
been C conveyed to t he United States.
On the western side of the Sound there remain
several S izeable tracts as yet not conveyed to the Federal
Government. Authority has been given the officers of
the Corporation so to do when it shall become expedient.
Mr. George L. Stebbins has shown a willingness
to C ooperate and will doubtless be able to add to the list
of donors as soon as he returns to Seal Harbor where his
files on these matters are kept.
I shall deem it a privilege if I can be of
further assistance.
With kindest personal regards,
[G.B.Dorr?
WYRACTL
NEW ROCHELLE.
May 7, 1935.
Confidential
My dear Mr. Dorr:
In accordance with your request, I am sending
you herewith to note and return to me certain papers
which I am sure will give you the present status of
matters in which you are intensely interested.
Please note Mr. J. D. R. Jr. 's letter to the
Secretary in which he offers all of his land holdings
except the lands about his Seal Harbor estate. The
letter was worked out with me and the maps that went
with it were carefully checked by Mr. R. and me together.
The lands tendered to the Secretary included everything
except tracts adjoining his estate. Even the lands to
the north down to Eden Street, the Henderson home site,
etc. are included.
The Secretary has answered this letter and has
accepted the proposal, but I do not have a copy of this
letter. Now look at Demaray's letter to me about the
details of the program which is to be carried out con-
tingent on allotment of funds from the new Works Relief
Fund and the regular Park Service road program. Note
the item for museum wing.
I think it would be best for you to return these
papers to me very soon and with them your comments in
memorandum form. Mr. J. D. R. Jr. will be back here
this month and will want to confer with me again.
In regard to location of roads and policy regarding
horse roads these matters are in the hands of the National
Park Service. There is no string on the proposal by Mr.
R. except that the motor roads shall be placed on he N.P.S.
highway program. This has been done by the Secretary's
answer.
I am serry that we are not going to be in Maine
again this summer. However, I have undertaken to speak
at Boston on July 16th, and I may be able to run up and
see you the week-end preceding that speech. Keep in
touch with me, and take the best of care of yourself.
All the family join in warmest regards and all good wishes.
Faithfully yours,
Mr. George B. Dorr,
Bar Harbor, Maine.
P.S. Your sub-marginal land project is most interesting.
Heartiest congratulations on working this out. HMA
HERBERT L. SATTERLEE
1 BEEKMAN PLACE
thereal
NEW YORK
May 9, 1935
Honorable George B. Dorr
Acadia National Park
Bar Harbor, Maine
Dear "Sieur des Monts:
I thank you for your good letter of March 25th.
We are planning to try to spend at least a month at Great
Head this Summer. I suppose as soon as the tourists season begins,
the usual crowd will come down to the Sand Beach. I have never been
able to finish the matter with Mr. Rockefeller about controlling the
entrance to the Beach. My arrangement with him was (at least as I
understood it) that when he had put the Ocean Drive up higher and back
farther from the Beach and put in the Parking Space (as he did last
Summer) he would sell to us that little irregular strip of land that
he bought from Tobe Roberts that lies between the "old brush fence"
(western boundary of the Great Head tract) and the easterly line of
Occuse
the old Ocean Drive prolonged past the new Parking Space and the new
path out on to the point of rocks, so that we could protect it. Alber
Lynam told me it was for this reason that that strip of land had never
been conveyed to the Hancock County Trustees or the Park, but that he
could do nothing about it until Mr. Rockefeller came up and looked at
it with me. Perhaps, when Mr. Rockefeller returns from Europe and we
are both up on Mount Desert Island, he will do this. That strip could
never be of any use to anyone. It adds nothing to the Park and it
logically ought to go with our tract. Furthermore, we can take care
of it and own up to a definite, permanent line and not to the rapidly
disappearing traces of an old rail fence.
Apart from the foregoing considerations, I think we ought to
have a Park Ranger on the Beach again this Summer from the time the
season opens until it closes. I think last year you sent us a very
good man and he was a Park employee and all we did was to give him a
money present at the end of the season. Of course, we paid for the
policeman who was on duty at night. I regard both of these men neces-
sary to keep people from building fires in dangerous places and to
keep tourists off those dangerous shelving rocks at the west end of the
Beach, as well as from invading the privacy of the east end, which we
reserve for ourselves.
If you feel this way about it, will you let me know what can be
done?
I hope that you are in the best of health and that everything is
going well with you.
Louisa wants to join in affectionate messages to you.
Faithfully yours,
GARDENS
NEW ROCHELLE. N. Y.
May 12, 1935.
My dear Mr. Dorr:
Your letter of May 8th reached me a day or two ago.
By tomorrow morning, at the latest, you will receive
my letter to which is attached a number of papers which I
hope will fully answer the questions that have arisen in your
mind about roads, lands, etc. I will be glad to answer any other
questions that arise.
I think Mr. J.D.R.Jr. has pretty well given up the
idea of any more horse roads, but he would like the National
Park Service to so locate the motor roads that more horse roads
can be built in the future if deemed advisable by the Service.
In other words, he hopes that more horse roads will not be
-recluded by deliberately building the motor roads in such a
way as to destroy routes for horse roads or make their construc-
tion cost prohibitive. I had a long talk with Mr. R. one day
about horse and horse roads and trails, and we both came to the
conclusion that at least for the present interest in riding and
driving horses is at very low ebb, and we both thought that it
might never again become important.
Unfortunately, I must leave New York on the 15th for
a trip of ten days or thereabouts into the south - Atlanta,
Nashville, Louisville, etc. I will be in Washington one day.
I do not know just when I will return. Mrs. Albright will be
here and will send me any mail that looks as if it should have
my attention while I am gone.
Tell Miss Oakes I have also received her letter of the
8th. It was a very fine letter and I am glad she told me the
little story. I'11 write her again when I get a little more time.
I was delighted with her article about Oldfarm which she en-
closed with her letter. Oldfarm has a big place in my heart.
I wish I could visit it with you again this Spring. Miss Oakes
reminds me that the rhodora will soon be blooming.
Take the best of care of yourself. All members of
my family send you our love and good wishes.
Faithfully yours,
Hon. George B. Dorr, Supt.,
Acadia National Park,
Bar Harbor, Maine.
HERBERT L. SATTERLEE
1 BEEKMAN PLACE
NEW YORK
May 16, 1935
Honorable George B. Dorr
Acadia National Park
Bar Harbor, Maine
Dear "Sieur des Monts:"
Thank you for your good letter of May 14th.
We are keen to get up to Great Head and see all
the nice things that have been accomplished.
We are glad that Alfred Reed has been engaged again.
I am going to send you a copy of my Annual Report as President
of the Life Saving Benevolent Association, which contains men-
tion of Reed's work in trying to rescue the girls that were
swept off the rocks last Summer.
I did not for a moment mean that I wanted you to
suggest anything to Mr. Rockefeller. I hope that our visits
to Mt. Desert this Summer will both be at the same time and then
I can talk to him myself. I merely wanted you to know just what
the situation was.
With best wishes,
As always,
Faithfully yours,
Hubuth Sathere
it
6/7/1935
LEASES OLDFARM FOR
w
BA
SEASON
th
d
(Continued From Page One)
be
-
EAR
b
The house has remarkable
a
guest book which shows the names
of Oliver Wendell Holmes, the
y
great poet, of Julia Ward Howe,
as
Leases Oldfarm
of Laura E. Richards, of James
you
t)
For The Season
G. Blaine, and of many who came
th
in the early days, while in more
al
recent years Governors, Army
Clarence B. Mitchell Of Chi-
and Navy officers, and men high
et
cago Will Occupy Beauti-
in official life in Washington, in-
T
Bar
ful Bar Harbor House
cluding ex-Secretary Ray Lynam
of
Wilbur of the Department of the
ha
Interior, Secretary Harold L
fi
Oldfarm, one of the most beau
Ickes, and many others, coming as
th
of the resurt as well
most
guests of Sept. Dorr. Director
all
as one of the olderl. built in the
d
has
late Eighteen-seventies by the late
tl
Arno B. Cammerer of the Park
A
the Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hazen Derr
to
Service has been a guest at Old
a
idex of Buston, was leased Wednesday
to
farm, and before that the late
us
s
of to Clarence B. Mitchell of Chicago
H
Hon. Stephen T. Mather, director
we
of the service until ill health
th
bles land Santa Barlara. California,
a
vom through the Fred c. Lynam Comp
e
which ended in his death several
we
ched any Mr. Mitchell will nevousy it
u
years ago, while two years ago
of
r of at once with his family, having
S
Director Horace M. Albright, now
ing
with bern in town this week looking
P
resigned, was there.
to
or-at varion places and being great
S
ding ly attracted by the house and la
cn MAN SENIORS HEAR
we
the ground. with gardens tenni.
S
the rours and harbor. Mr. Mitchell
P
ried is a soll-in-law of Charles E. King
who was a summer resident here
E
hich many year. agen Oldfarm is a
find house which hax had unique his
C
huge tory and it. hospitality was known
V
sary through the year. with Mr. and
M
Mr. Durr E. heart. and since their
-
ning
day. then w Supt. George B
Dury of Aradha National Park ha
P
ma-
the insure much of th
an
time. learing it at vari - time
-
in commer.
vall.
Continued or l'age Eight)
If
6/23/96
ACADIA NATIONAL PARKHASBEENI ENLARGED
New York Times 1857-Current file); Jun 23, 1935: ProQuest Historical Newspapers The New York Times
pg.XX6
ACADIA NATIONAL PARK
HAS BEEN ENLARGED
BOUT 820 acres of land have
A
been added to Acadia National
Park, Maine, through an act
of Congress recently approved by
President Roosevelt. The territory-
known as the Green Lake site-can
be easily patrolled by Acadia's reg-
ular rangers, and its transference
from the Department of the In-
terior to the Department of Com-
merce thus involves no added ex-
pense. Moose, bear and other wild
life on the new land will receive the
full protection given to Acadia's
denizens.
The tract was acquired as a fish
culture station by the Federal Gov-
ernment in 1890 along with another
site at Craig's Brook. Now it is no
longer needed as a hatchery, al-
though Craig's Brook is still oper-
ated by the Bureau of Fisheries.
The land would have passed into
private hands as an alternative to
its inclusion in Acadia, the first Na-
tional Park established east of the
Mississippi. It is a unique preserve
-2 precipitous island on the Atlan-
tic Coast, combining the charm of
mountain, forest and surf in close
proximity.
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
Page I of 5
History of a Tract of Land
When I laid out the Athletic Field as a gift to
the Town and built Park Street through from Main Street
to Ledgelawn Avenue, placing it to form a continuation
west from Livingston Road, lots of varying depth were
left upon its northern side. The corner lot, fronting
upon Main Street, was reserved from the first for an
office site in connection with the Public Reservations
I was then already forming, with no thought of a Nation-
al Park as yet in mind. The remainder of the land north
of the new street I devoted, carrying out the thought
that prompted the creation of the Athletic Field, to
the establishment of three tennis courts, to be given,
severally and jointly, to the Y.M.C.A. and the Y.W.C.A.
corporations of Bar Harbor, who gladly accepted them.
Two of these lay lengthwise along Park Street,
westward from the site reserved for the intended Public
Reservations office, carrying my gift to School Street
opposite the whole breadth of the Athletic Field; a
third lot lay north of the westernmost of these, with
entrance from School Street. This last I gave to the
2.
Y.W.C.A.; the one below it to the Y.M.C.A., , and the
third, continuing the last lot eastward along Park
Road I arranged to be shared between the two organi-
zations to make such common use of it as they could.
These lots all were a hundred feet in length by fifty
wide, and to save the Associations all expense in con-
nection with the gift I built the courts myself and
enclosed them with the necessary high wire nets.
Turned over to the Organizations in free gift,
they were warmly welcomed and much used during the
next two or three years. Then, not being in close
connection with their respective buildings on Mount
Desert Street, with their showers and lockers, they
came to be neglected and the prey of the small boys
in the neighborhood who found in the fencing that kept
them out a defiance they delighted in. This could not
continue. I realized my mistake in thinking they would
be used and cared for at a distance from their home
buildings and sought some practical way out of the
difficulty.
3.
Our Public Reservations were now on their way to
become a National Park, capable of absorbing not the
corner upon Main Street only but the entire southward-
facing frontage opposite the Athletic Field. But to
this a difficulty now presented itself; the lands for
the tennis courts had been legally deeded to their
respective Associations, and I did not feel I could
ask them to return them to me for other use without
providing them with courts they could use, and would,
in connection with their buildings.
In the case of the Y.M.C.A., opportunity existed
in land they owned behind their building; in that of
the Y.W.C.A. no such opportunity existed. But back of
its building and in direct continuation of its grounds
there was a lot not built upon, just large enough for
a court and the space about it which it needed. This
land, acquired for investment, was held for sale by
its owner, an old-time resident of the Town, whose
stated price for it was $1200, but who, on my approach-
ing him and telling him of the use I desired it for,
offered to contribute $100 off the price, making the
price to me $1100, the lot being one hundred by fifty
feet in extent. Anxious alike for the future Park and
4.
the V.W.C.A. in the good work for its members it was
doing, I paid the owner's price and giving the land
to the Y.W.C.A. got my land on Park Street back in
full.
Holding this land along with the rest until our
Public Reservations had become a National Park and the
Town had opened its roads to motor cars, I gave it to
the Government for a much-needed garage and repair shop,
with entrance upon School Street. The plan was good and
the space abundant, as it seemed, for the Park's needs
and I felt well satisfied when, the Government allott-
ing funds for it, the building it provided for went up.
So it continued for the next few years. Then, in
1935
1935, it became necessary for me to have an operation
on my eyes for glaucoma, which, with the consultations
involved, took me away to Boston during the spring and
summer, and it was not till later, when I returned, that
I discovered that our foreman-mechanic, an exceptionally
competent and able man in his field, had, to meet the
growing need, built on an addition to the Park garage,
which, for want of other space, he built across the
entrance onto School Street of the lot that I had given,
5.
and extended yet further onto the land I had reserved
next Park Street for what use I might need it for in
the further development of the Park, thus shutting the
Government out completely from entrance to its land from
any public way except by courtesy, and it is by such
courtesy only that it finds entrance now.
[G.B.DORR]
Page lof3
Copy
Ice
The Secretary of the Interior
Washington.
July 25, 1935.
Mr. John D. Rockefeller, Jr.
Room 5600, 30 Rockefeller Plaza,
Rockefeller Center,
New York, N.Y.
My dear Mr. Rockefeller:
This letter is in further reply to
your letter of March 14, which I acknowledged on March 25.
Since that time, a complete review has been made of
your generous proposal concerning the extension of Acadia
Park territory and the future road program for that park,
and If eel that now we can bring the proposition to
a more definite conclusion.
In your letter of March 14 you made the following
statement:
"Now that all the lands necessary to make possible
the above development program have been acquired I am
making the followin proposal. If after careful review
and approval by your Department you should be disposed
to include these roads, which have been planned but not
yet built, in the official program for the development
of Acadia National Park with the understanding that they
would be built as opportunity offered and as funds, either
public or private, could be made available, I am prepared
to deed. to the Government for inclusion in Acadia National
Park all of the remaining lands which I have acquired for
that purpose. This would include (1) lands making possible
the extension of the present Park Motor Road across the
Eagle Lake Road, to the high bluffs overlooking French-
mans Bay with a Bar Harbor Park entrance on Eden Street
at the site formerly occupied by Mrs. Henderson's house,
also a horse road entering at the same place and connecting
with the existing horse roads in that area; (2) the right-
of way of a motor road which I am now building and will
complete, from the highway at Seal Harbor by the sea through
the Stanley Brook valley and connecting with the present
Park Motor JRoad rat'the Jordan Pond Road; (3) the Jordan
Pond Gate Lodge, the existing Jordan Pond Tea House and
the land surrounding them; (4) the Ea le Lake Tea House and
Forse Center site at the north end of Eagle Lake.
2.
"In brief, the lands which I am prepared to deed to
the Government would make possible (1) A Park motor road
from the sea on the south at Seal Harbor to Frenchmans
Bay on the orth at Bar Harbor, connecting with the present
Park Motor Road that goes to the top of Cadillac Mountain;
also a connection with the Ocean Drive including an
entrance by the sea at the Homans place then continuing
around Otter Cliffs to the old Radio Station, across
Otter Creek inlet, around the Black Woods and back to Jordan
Pond.
Of this connection, I have built the Ocean
Drive and am now building the Otter Cliffs and Radio Station
section, (2) a horse road Park entrance on Eden Street in
Bar Harbor to connect with the existing horse road system
in that area, (3) a horse road from Eagle Lake to the Siear
de Monts Spring area and the high hill to the north, returning
to Eagle Lake by a different route.
I have had a map prepared which we believe makes a
record of the lands proposed n the Park extension program,
and shows the existing and proposed Acadia Park Road
system. These maps have been carefully checked with the
Master Plan of that park by the National Park Service.
One copy of this approved map, which bears the signatures
of the National Park Service. officials and my own, is
enclosed. It is intended to represent a full acceptance
and approval of your magnanimous proposal and with this
letter will represent my final and formal approval in
the mater, supplementing my letter of March 25, 1935,
which favored the inclusion of the proposed roads.
It is understood, of course, that the road program
can be carried out only if and when the Congress makes
appropriations available for such construction.
It is also understood that you will be permitted to
undertake such sections of the above road program as you
may wish to build with your own construction organization,
as you have done on so many sections of the road system
already CO pleted. Furthermore, it is understood that
the lands involved will be transferred to the Government at
such time and under such conditions as may be agreed upon
in accordance with your proposal not being contingent upon
prior completion of the road program.
3.
For your information, I have approved the construction,
out of the Interior Department appropriation for the fiscal
year of 1936 for the construction of roads and trails
in all national parks, of the North End Mountain Road to
Sieur de Monts Sprin;, grading and surfacing 3 1/3 miles.
In the next road program it is planned to include $ $500,000.00
to build the road from Otter Cliff by way of the Black Woods
to the Seal Harbor Road. If it should develop that allot-
ments will be made from the current work relief program
for the construction of roads in national parks this
project could be included therein.
May I suggest you check over the enclosed map with
your maps and if you find it satisfactory and correct, and
in accordance with our understanding, the filing of this
man in your office, with a deuplicate in the records of the
N ational Park Service, will constitute the completion of
this t transaction.
Sincerely yours,
(Sgd) Harold L. Ickes
Secretary of the Interior.
Enc 626593.
of pages
Copy
The Secretary of the Interior
Washington.
July 25, 1935.
Mr. John D. Rockefeller, Jr.,
Room 5600, 30 Rockefeller Plaza,
Rockefeller Center,
New York, N.Y.
My dear Mr. Rockefeller:
This letter is in further reply to
your letter of March 14, which I acknowledged on March 25.
Since that time, a complete review has been made of
your generous proposal concerning the extension of Acadia
Park territory and the future road program for that park,
and If eel that now we can bring the proposition to
a more definite conclusion.
In your letter of March 14 you made the following
statement:
Now that all the lands necessary to make possible
the above development program have been acquired I am
making the followin proposal. If after careful review
and approval by your Department you should be disposed
to include these roads, which have been planned but not
yet built, in the official program for the development
of Acadia National Park with the understanding that they
would be built as opportunity offered and as funds, either
public or private, could be made available, I am prepared
to deed to the Government for inclusion in Acadia National
Park all of the remaining lands which I have acquired for
that purpose. This would include (1) lands making possible
the extension of the present Park Motor Road across the
Eagle Lake Road, to the high bluffs overlooking French-
mans Bay with a Bar Harbor Park entrance on Eden Street
at the site formerly occupied by Mrs. Henderson's house,
also a horse road entering at the same place and connecting
with the existing horse roads in that area; (2) the right-
of way of a motor road which I am now building and will
complete, from the highway at Seal Harbor by the sea through
the Stanley Brook valley and connecting with the present
Park Motor Road at the Jordan Bond Road; (3) the Jordan
Pond Gate Lodge, the existing Jordan Pond Tea House and
the land surrounding them; (4) the Ea le Lake Tea House and
Forse Center site at the north end of Eagle lake.
2.
"In brief, the lands which I am prepared to deed to
the Government would make possible (1) A Park motor road
from the sea on the south at Seal Harbor to Frenchmans
Bay or the orth at Bar Harbor, connecting with the present
Paric Motor Road that goes to the top of Cadillac Mountain;
also a connection with the Ocean Drive -- including an
entrance by the sea at the Homans place -- then continuing
around Otter Cliffs to the old Radio Station, across
Obter Creek inlet, around the Black Woods and back to Jordan
Pond.
Of this connection, I have built the Ocean
Drive and am now building the Otter Cliffs and Radio Station
section, (2) a horse road Park entrance on Eden Street in
Bar Harbor to connect with the existing horse road system
in that area, (3) a horse road from Eagle Lake to the Sieur
de Monts Spring area and the high hill to the north, returning
to Eagle Lake by Ei different route.
I have had a map prepared which we believe makes a
record of the lands proposed in the Park extension program,
and shows the existin and proposed Acadia Park Road
system. These maps have been carefully checked with the
Master Plan of that park by the National Park Service.
One copy of this approved map, which bears the signatures
of the National Park Service. officials and my own, is
enclosed. It is intended to represent a full acceptance
and approval of your magnanimous proposal and with this
letter will represent my final and formal approval in
the mater, supglementing my letter of March 25, 1935,
which favored the inclusion of the proposed roads.
It is understood, of course, that the road program
can be carried out only if and when the Congress makes
appropriations available for such construction.
It is also understood that you will be permitted to
undertake such sections of the above road program as you
may wish to build with your own construction organization,
as you have done on so many sections of the road system
already CO pleted. Furthermore, it is understood that
the lands involved will be transferred to the Government at
such time and under such conditions as may be agreed upon
in accordance with your proposal not being contingent upon
prior completion of the road program.
3.
For your information, I have approved the construction,
out of the Interior Department appropriation for the fiscal
year of 1936 for the construction of roads and trails
in all national parks, of the North End Mountain Road to
Sieur de Monts Sprin,, grading and surfacing 3 1/3 miles.
In the next road program it is planned to include $500,000.00
to build the road from Otter Cliff by way of the Black Woods
to the Seal Harbor Road. If it should develop that allot-
ments will be made fro the current work relief program
for the construction of roads in national parks this
project could be included therein.
May I su west you check over the enclosed map with
your maps and if you find it satisfactory and correct, and
in accordance with our understanding, the filing of this
man in your office, with a deuplicate in the records of the
N
ational Park Service, will constitute the completion of
this t transaction.
Sincerely yours,
(Sgd) Harold L. Ickes
Secretary of the Interior.
Enc 626593.
SH
-
OFFICE OF
natl Park low
JOHN D. ROCHAFELLIA JM,
August 2, 1933
Dear Mr. Dorrt
I was glad to learn from Mr. Serenus Rodick yester-
day that you were very much better. Dé take care of your-
self and de not do any more imprudent things like sliding
down Green Mountain on the snow drifts, as f saw you de
some years ago. You are greatly needed in this world and
particularly on this island. I would not know what to do
without you here and you and I must both live at least to
see the projected automobile read completed and then for
a long time thereafter to plan other worthwhile develop-
ments of the island.
If there is anything Mrs. Rockefeller and title can do
for your wellbeing or comfort, it will give us beth great
pleasure to be given the opportunity.
There are several things I have wanted to talk with
you about, in fact I had planned to try to see you last
week but other things prevented. When you are feeling up
to it and a little fisit from me would be a diversion
rather than a strain, I should be delighted to come and
see you. In the meantime please know always of my very
deep regard and warm affection for you,
Very sincerely,
6
JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER, JR.
Mr. George B. Dorr
SEAL HARBOR, ME.
Bar Harber
Maine
8/21/1935
Historic Sites Act of 1935
P UBLIC-No. 292-74TH C ONGRESS]
[s. 2073]
AN ACT
To provide for the preservation of historic American sites, buildings, ob jects,
and antiquities of national significance and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America
in Congress assembled, That it is hereby declared that it is a national policy to preserve for public
use historic sites, buildings and objects of national significance for the inspiration and benefit of
the people of the United States.
SEC. 2. The Secretary or the Interior (hereinafter referred to as the Secretary), through the
National Park Service, for the purposes of effectuating the policy expressed in section 1 hereo
shall have the following powers and perform the following duties and functions:
(a) Secure, collate, and preserve drawings, plans, photographs, and other data of historic
and archaeolog ic sites, buildings, and objects.
(b) Make a survey of historic and archaeologic sites, buildings, and objects for the
purpose of determining which possess exceptional value as commemorating or illustrating the
history of the United States.
(c) Make necessary investigations and researches in the United States relating to
particular sites, buildings, or objects to obtain true and accurate historical and archaeological facts
and information concerning the same.
(d) For the purpose of this Act, acquire in the name of the United States by gift, purchase,
or otherwise any property, personal or real, or any interest or estate therein, title to any real
property to be satisfactory to the Secretary: Provided, That no such property which is owned by
any religious or educational institution, or which is owned or administered for the benefit of the
public men be so acquired without the consent of the owner: Provided further, That no such
property shall be acquired or contract or agreement for the acquisition thereof made which will
obligate the general fund of the Treasury for the payment of such property, unless or until
Congress has appropriated money which is available for that purpose.
(e) Contract and make cooperative agreements with States, municipal subdivisions,
corporations, associations, or individuals, with proper bond where deemed advisable, to protect,
preserve, maintain, or operate any historic or archaeologic building, site, object, or property used
in connection therewith for public use, regardless as to whether the title thereto is in the United
States: Provided, That no contract or cooperative agreement shall be made or entered into which
will obligate the general fund of the Treasury unless or until Congress has appropriated money for
such purpose.
(f) Restore, reconstruct, rehabilitate, preserve, and maintain historic or prehistoric sites,
buildings, objects, and properties of national historical or archaeological significance and where
deemed desirable establish and maintain museums in connection therewith.
(g) Erect and maintain tablets to mark or commemorate historic or prehistoric places and
events of national historical or archaeological significance.
(h) Operate and manage historic and archaeologic sites, buildings, and properties acquired
under the provisions of this Act together with lands and subordinate buildings for the benefit of
the
public, such authority to include the power to charge reasonable visitation fees and grant
concessions, leases, or permits for the use of land, building space, roads, or trails when necessary
or desirable either to accommodate the public or to facilitate administration: Provided, That such
concessions, leases, or permits, shall be let at competitive bidding, to the person making the
highest and best bid.
(i) When the Secretary determines that it would be administratively burdensome to restore
reconstruct, operate, or maintain any particular historic or archaeologic site, building, or property
donated to the United States through the National Park Service, he may cause the same to be done
by organizing a corporation for that purpose under the laws of the District of Columbia or any
State.
(j) develop an educational program and service for the purpose of making available to the
public facts and information pertaining to American historic and archaeologic sites, buildings, and
properties of national significance. Reasonable charges may be made for the dissemination of any
such facts or information.
(k) Perform any and all acts, and. make such rules and regulations not inconsistent with
this Act as may be necessary and proper to carry out the provisions thereof. Any person violating
any of the regulations authorized by this Act shall be punished by a fine of not more than $500 and
be adjudged to pay all cost of the proceedings.
SEC. 3. A general advisory board to be known as the "Advisory Board on National Parks,
Historic Sites, Buildings, and Monuments is hereby established, to be composed of not to exceed
eleven persons, citizens of the United States, to include representatives competent in the fields of
history, archaeology, architecture, and human geography, who shall be appointed by the Secretary
and serve at his pleasure. The members of such board shall receive no salary but may be paid
expenses incidental to travel when en gaged in their duties as such members.
It shall be the duty of such board to advise on any matters relating to national parks and to
the administration of this Act submitted to it for consideration by the Secretary. It may also
recommend policies to the Secretary from time to time pertaining to national parks and to the
restoration, reconstruction. conservation, and general administration of historic and archaeo logic
sites, buildings, and properties.
SEC. 4. The Secretary, in administering this Act, is authorized to cooperate with and may
seek and accept the assistance of any Federal, State, or municipal department or agency, or any
educational or scientific institution, or any patriotic association, or any individual.
(b) When deemed necessary, technical advisory committees may be established to act in
an advisory capacity in connection with the restoration or reconstruction of any historic or
prehistoric building or structure.
(c) Such professional and technical assistance may be employed without regard to the
civil-service laws, and such service may be established as may be required to accomplish the
purposes of this Act and for which money may be appropriated by Congress or made available by
gifts for such purpose.
SEC. 5. Nothing in this Act shall be held to deprive any State, or political subdivision
thereof, of its civil and criminal jurisdiction in and over lands acquired by the United States under
this Act.
SEC. 6. There is authorized to be appropriated for carrying out the purposes of this Act
such sums as the Congress may from time to time determine.
SEC. 7. The provisions of this Act shall control if any of them are in conflict with any
other Act or Acts relating to the same subject matter.
Approved, August 21, 1935.
Page 1-of 6
[Draft of Dorr letter, undated, to unnamed NPS official]
When Director Cammerer's letter of July 22d,
concerning the closing of one of the two C. C. C.
camps in the Park, reached the office here, I was
in a hospital in Boston recovering from an emergency
operation and Assistant Superintendent Hadley, con-
sulting me by telephone, answered it for me. Had I
been in Bar Harbor at the time I would have gone into
the matter more fully than he did in making reply.
But I got the impression that the closing of the camp
was part of a general movement of the Administration
toward economy in the set-up of these camps throughout
the country and that Acadia was not alone in the pro-
posed reduction. The grounds stated for the elimmination
of one camp in the absence of work ahead during the winter
period I did not learn of until later or I would have made
clear in replying what work there was for that period
which was actually intended in my plans the camp should do.
When Mr. Peterson came here in August I learned
from him, who volunteered the information, that the
closing of the camp was due not as I had supposed to
any general move of the Administration toward economy,
2.
but to the Landscape Division of the Park Service,
because he, as its eastern head, felt that work had
been done by that camp beyond what he had authorized,
the closing proposed being, in fact, though he did not
put it directly in such words, a punishment.
The work of this camp has been, beyond others,
valuable and constructive and has been universally so
regarded in this region, as well as by the Governor and
the Federal Administrator for Maine, who have aided it
at different times from E. C. W. funds.
The work of this camp has been aided also by Mr.
Rockefeller in connection with one of its most important
projects, the rendering accessible again to the public
of his early gift to the Park, one of the greatest
points of view upon the coast, Beech Cliff. And the
camp has been aided also variously at times by the
Town of Mt. Desert, which includes Northeast Harbor,
Seal Harbor and Somesville, and by the Town of Southwest
Harbor, interested in the work that it was doing.
3.
Mr. Peterson has proved exceedingly difficult to
work with on camp projects, not only in regard to this
camp but all, owing to his rare visits here and lack of
any intimate understanding of our problems, and also
because of the great delays almost invariably exper-
ienced in obtaining his attention and receiving answers
in regard to work proposed as well as to the fact that
the general tendency of his mind is to answer, when he
does reply, "Project not approved", without discussion
of the reasons or suggesting other solution of the
problem. That this is the fact is universally recog-
nized and that this camp and its personnel should be
penalized upon such ground arouses strong feeling,
Acadia National Park apart, among the people of the
region, who have communicated, of their own initiative,
on the subject with the Governor and his Council and
with the Maine delegation to Congress.
When the subject of closing the camp was brought
up in Mr. Cammerer's letter of July 22d I understood
from the report of it made me in Boston that the
proposed closing was for the actual winter period only,
4.
which would have carried the work on until December,
the months of October and November being two of our
best working months in the whole year, and that it
would be set up again the first of April.
No instruction in the matter, since the inquiry
contained in Director Cammerer's letter, has been
received, but rumors only which have caused much
anxiety to the personnel of the camp, both military
and field. To throw these men out of employment at
this season would work great hardship, and would be
looked upon widely over the State as an act of in-
justice, not in accordance with the President's
broad-minded policy for the relief of unemployment.
Closing of the camp would cause great inconvenience
to the Park as well because the field personnel of
the two camps has been used interchangeably, ren-
dering each of indispensable assistance to the other.
This is particularly true with regard to work in our
motor repair shop, Mr. George Goodrich, our irreplaceably
5.
efficient assistant motor mechanic there, being among
the personnel of the Great Pond Camp, which contains
alsomone of the best foremen we have, Mr. J. T. Atwood
of Bucksport, a brother of Mrs. Maulding, Chief of the
Division of Appointments in the Department of the
Interior, who first brought him to my attention,
telling me that while competent and willing he had been
unable to obtain work for two years previous to the setting
up of the camps.
And the only foreman also in either
camp who has had training and experience in planting,
indispensable to us in preparing the ground this fall
for planting in the early spring ,is a member of the
Great Pond Camp.
Work for the Great Pond Camp on projects essential
to Acadia National Park's development and on which in
part it is now already actively engaged will supply its
members with all they can do throughout both the fall
and winter and will prepare the way for the always
crowded period of spring.
6.
These projects I have listed with much care and
study. The future development of the Park requires
that they all be carried out, now or later, while the
work next spring would be greatly delayed and handi-
capped if the doing of what can now be done to the best
advantage should be blocked by the closing of the camp
during this next working period, while part of the work
intended to be done during this period is such as cannot
be done next spring or summer, involving as it does the
burning of brush which c an only be safely done at this
time.
[GB.DORR]
INDEX
Page
Brief History of Camp NP-I
1
Resume of Fifth Enrollment Period
3
Comments on Inspections
5
Aunt Betty's Pond Area
6
Included
Young's Mountain Clean-up
6
Gorham Mountain
7
Moving and Planting Trees and Shrubs
7
Transplant Beds
9
Great Meadow "ature Trail
9
Ladder Trail
10
Ocean Drive
10
Cadillac Summit
11
Gypsy Moth Control
11
Homan Place
11
Blister Rust Control
12
Blister Rust Pruning
12
Landscaping Undifferentiated
13
Forest Fires
13
Park Office Lot Landscaping
14
Duck Brook Fishway
15
Type Maps
15
Transit Crew
15A
Educational (Guides)
16
Maintenance
Truck Trails
17
Minor Roads
18
Lak ewood Beach
18
Public Camp Ground
19
Camp Artist
19A
Personnel- Work Charts
20
April
May
June
July
August
September
Breakdown of Costs and Man-days
21
Supplemental Report
21A
Pictorial Section
R G 79/150/35/23/4 Box 17, Entry 42
Report Covey fifth Emallst Period
april 1,1935 - Sept 30,1935
mc Fouland field Camp N.P.1
AND, for Haebor, ME
W.C.Hill, Carp Sup.
154th Co. CCC
14
7935
C.C.C.
NARRATIVE REPORT
SERVICE
of
OCT
1935
FIFTH ENROLLMENT PERIOD
McFarland Field Camp - NP-1
AND
FILES
(Brief history of Camp)
The establishment of the 154th Co. C.C.C. at McFarland Field
Camp was authorized early in May 1933. The first contingent, a
construction company, arrived and made camp on the site of the
present camp area, about May 20, 1933. This construction company
was followed a few days later by the present work company, and
the usual construction of sanitary devices, the erection of pyram-
idal tents and general organization contingent to settlement and
occupation, proceeded apace.
In the meantime, the supervisory force had been assembled,
trained, and instructed so that on May 29, 1933, when a part of
the enrolled personnel was first available for work, the super-
vision was prepared to assume its responsibilities, and work def-
initely began on that date ( May 29, 1933 ).
The construction company began work immediately on the 0-
rection of permanent barracks, aided by a substantial quota of
the work company, so that by Aug. 15th, the 154th Co. was complete-
ly housed in permanent barracks.
The entire first period was marked by numerous interruptions
of the work program, as men were drawn from field work to hasten
the unfinished construction of the camp. Grounds were graded, roads
and paths were excavated, rock filled and surfaced, and the en-
tire camp area received a thorough policing.
In spite of these interruptions, the field work kept 2-
breast of the development of the camp. Starting from scratch and
without benefit of presedant, men were instructed
and
trained;
administration discovered its best methods; forms were vamped
and revamped to find the best means of preserving vital data that
would surely be asked for, and the standards of field work were
set up and instilled in the enrollees.
As a result, at the close of the First Enrollment Period,
while the amount of field work done would probably not balance
favorably against costs, yet it was felt that good progress had
been made, and the camp was a credit to the C.C.C. organization
and to the thought that fostered it.
The three periods that have elapsed between those first
formative six months and this present period, have shown steady
progress in methods and morale. The camp has gradually clothed
itself with that air of permanency that belongs to an established
institution. This, in contrast to the experimental, trial com-
plexion of the First Period.
-1-
is
This change is reflected in the morale of the men. The
enrollee is no longer one of the many individuals upon whose
conduct the camp depends for its success or failure. On the con-
trary, he has become submerged in a company whose course is chart-
ed and whose progress wil continue with or without him. And this
attitude cultivates unity of purpose and camp spirit- the great-
est single aid to success in field work and company discipline.
The numerous work projects allotted to the enrollees in
the company have offered such a variety of experience to them,
that the samp feels able to cope with any problem in Park devel-
opment likely to occur.
-2-
3008d3
RESUME
of
FIFTH ENROLLMENT PERIOD
The Fifth Period, extending, as it does, from April 1 to
September 30, 1935, has seen the usual progression of spring,
summer and fall projects.
During April, a large part of the camp personnel was till
employed on woods work, completing the winter project of "Fire
Hazard Reduction" on Aunt Betty's Pond Area. This pro ject Tinally
abandoned for the season on April 29th.
The spring opened with favorable planting weather, and as
fast as crows were released from woods work, they were assigned
to the extensive planting program outlined for the camp. This
planting pro ject, which will be described in detail in the work
narrative that follows, occupied nearly the entire camp for part
of April and all of May.
June ushered in all of the minor maintenance and policing
work that preceeds the tourist and camping season: the Public
Camp Ground to be policed; certain trails to be repaired; beaches
to be cleaned and all such work, in addition to a number of re-
gular cons truction projects that had been waiting for weather sui-
table for continuation.
The annual program of eradication for White Pine Blister
Rust was launched the first of June, to continue throughout the
summer till Sept.1. This project claimed about 25% of the company
work strength during its season.
During July and August, the camp was more thoroughly set-
tled upon its major summer projects. These were largely trail cons-
truction and repair, such as the Ocean Drive Trail, Great Meadow
Nature Trail, the Ladder Trail up the precipitous side of Dry Moun-
tain, and the Tarn Trails.
There were also projects of landscaping carried on coin-
cidently with some of the trail construction and also as separate
projects, such as "Homan Place Landscaping", and "Park Office Lot
Landscaping".
September brought the near conclusion of a number of the
foregoing projects, and a slight reorganization of crews to start
work on ceratin jobs to be done this fall. One of these isthe in-
teresting work of opening a fishway the entire length of Duck
Brook, ( the outlet from Eagle Lake D, but more of that fin the fol-
lowing narratives.
September- and the Fifth Period- drew to a close with the
prospect of fulfilling our quota of work on the various projects
and the new and heartening vista of definitely completing some of
them.
There is a request for the outstanding achievement of this
Period. To ignore the very real achievements in the process of
building men and to confine ourselves entirely to the work, the
success in the conduct and results of our planting program seems
-3-
to stand out conspicuously. The problem was this: the lifting,
transporting, some twenty miles, and replanting of approximately
sixty-five hundred ( 6500 ) small trees and shrubs. While the
weather as a whole was favorable, yet a great deal of the truck-
ing of these trees took place on sunny, dry days when careless
exposure of the root system would have seriously threatened their
survival. These trees and shrubs went, fromthe soil of a nursery
bed, to situations and soils of all kinds. The fact that out of
all these plants, the mortality was definitely less than twenty
percent, indicates a commendable intelligence, interest and devo-
tion to duty on the part of the enrollees, and an outstanding 2-
chievement by the camp.
-4-
LA
COMMENTS
on
NEED AND TYPE OF INSPECTIONS
NP-1 welcomes and appreciates the new policy of more fre-
quent inspections by the Service.
Occasional contacts with informed Service Inspectors are
bound to result in a better understanding in the fisad of the de-
sires and policies of the National Park Service. And again, a first
hand knowledge of the problems of the field will prove of some
value when establishing the regulations that control that field.
Pursuant to the request contained in Supplement No. 277, we
submit herewith observations and suggestions prompted by our re-
peated contact with the weaknesses of our structure. We recognize
the need of:
1. Periodic inspections by two inspectors. One to inspect
the field work and ascertain if it conforms to the author-
izations granted in approved work program. The other, to
check cost accounting of projects, and general integrity
of the reports.
2. The organization of each camp as & unit;
a) with a voice as to the details of its own program, such
as classification and estimates of materials, labor
and costs.
b) with complete supervision of how the project is accomp-
lished.
c) with control, through the proper channels, of its own
expenditures, and
d) an obligation to maintain a simplified controllable
cost accounting system.
This system would necessitate the establishment of a figure
to represent the cost of one man-day enrollee, and one work hour
on various pieces of machinery, such as gas shovels, trucks,
tractors, compressers, etc.. This figure could be actual or arb-
itrary.
With camps established on that basis, they would be an 0-
pen book to inspectors and would indicate to camp superintendents
just what his progress was.
-5-
BRIEF DESCRIPTIVE PARAGRAPHS
on
WORK PROJECTS
of
FIFTH PERIOD
ECW7-605
Fire Hazard Reduction.
Project No. 2
Aunt Betty's
The Aunt Betty's Pond Area, as previously
Pond Area.
described, is a gently sloping area of some six
hundred acres extending from the McFarland Field
Camp Area in a south and southwesterly direction
to Aunt Betty's Pond. It is covered with a fine stand
of mixed conifers and hard woods. It contains seve-
ral trails and woods that are destined to play an
important part in the eventual development of this
section of Acadia Park.
The work done in this section in the Fifth
Period, is merely the conclusion of the winter woods
work of the Fourth Period. The project Carried on
throughout April, definitely terminating for the
season on April 29th. Approximately fifty acres were
added to the total of 119 for the Fourth Period,
bringing the total area treated up to 169 acres.
The usual treatment was given, that of removal
of all dead, down or hopelessly suppressed trees,
and the collection and disposal of hazardous slash
and brush. Some 150 cords of wood were manufactured
and stacked in the process.
Finally, when the season became advanced and
the press of necessary spring work became great, this
project was brought to a close for the season. It
is expected that it will again continue in the com-
ing winter of the Sixth Period.
The following data summarizes the area cover-
ed and labor expended.
SUMMARY;
Area treated.
50 acres.
Wood manufactured
150 cords.
Trucking removal of wood )
1800 Truck hrs.
C.C.C. labor
1289 Man Days.
Supervision
102 Man Days.
Project No. 2a.
Young's Mountain so called, is, in reality,
Young's Mountain a long, hard wood ridge, the continuation of
Cleanup.
McFarland Hill to the north. It is situated
directly across the highway from this camp, and so
is in the near vicinity of the Aunt Betty's Pond
Area. For this reason, this project, a minor one,
was conducted coincidently with the work in Aunt
Betty's Pond Area. A ranger cabin had been built
on this mountain and this pro ject was instituted
-6-
LA 030000003
to clean up the area surrounding said cabin. Much
the same treatment as held in the Aunt Betty's Pond
Area was accorded this little block, the dead and
down trees, slash piles and all such potential fire
menaces, being removed. The wood mandfactured on this
project was cut to stove length and stored in the
cabin for later use. The attached summary will in-
dicate the saze of the project and amount of labor
expended.
SUMMARY:
Area treated
5 acres.
Wood manufactured
2 cords.
C.C.C. labor
38 Man Days.
Supervision
4 Man Days.
Project No. 4
Gorham Mountain is a heavily wooded ridge
Gorham Mountain.
rising gradually from the coast in the area
which contains the Ocean Drive. Several trails en-
tering from different points on the Ocean Drive,
cross this mountain and open this area for climbers.
It is a popular section of the Park and justifies
all the work expended on it.
This project was originally launched to
continue and complete woods work done in this area
by other agencies. That phase of the pro ject having
been completed, woods cleaning operations have
been continued intermittently to further protect
and improve the area and to utilize crews working
in this locality when weather conditions have pre-
cluded their working on the Ocean Drive Trails.
In continuance of this policy, some ten acres were
cleaned during April of this period by several
crews that habitually worked on the Ocean Drive
Trail. The same treatment was accorded this area
as was given other woods work, the wood derived
from the work being sent to camp. The attached
summary will indicate comprehensively the extent
of the project and the work done.
SUMMARY:
Area treated
10 acres.
Wood manufactured
15 cords.
Trucking & transportation
50 truck hours.
C.C.C. labor
58 Man Days.
Supervision
8 Man Days.
ECW7-706
Moving and Planting Trees and Shrubs.
As has been previously stated, April and
May of this year favored us with unusually good
planting weather. An extensive program had been
vamped out and as a result, practically all of
the work strength of the camp was assigned to this
pro ject from as early as they were available in
Rockefeller
April till the last of May. As the result of a
Nursery.
decision to thin out their nursery beds, the
Rockefeller estate informed the Park that there
were some 5000 trees available for the lifting.
-7-
C
LC.C.C.
0
PY
John J. Brien
434 Grosse Pointe Boulevard
Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan
2
"Sea Bench"
Struke.
Seal Harbor, Maine
August 8th, 1935
Dear Mr. Early:
You will recall me as of Grosse Pointe, Michigan.
I have just accepted Lynn Pierson's invitation to act
as local head of the Detroit Works Progress Administra-
tion and will soon be on the job with him. In the mean-
time, I have something to offer you which might be
presented to the President.
We had the (names of guests deleted) and some local
celebrities for dinner several nights ago. The local
lights were bitter opponents of the President. Among
many things they criticised -- the chief emphasis was
placed on the Civilian Conservation Coprs which have
two or three camps in the Acadia National Park which
is Mt. Desert Island on which are Bar Harbor, Seal Harbor,
Northeast Harbor and Southwest Harbor. All these places
are noted social summer resorts and they are all only a
endence?
few miles apart. I must confess that poor judgment has
been used in putting these boys to work immediately on
paths and trails which place them in full sight of these
summer residents daily as they go to and fro from these
Town?
towns. It does appear as though they were piddling their
time away and accomplishing very little. But even that
would be all right if other things were also right. A
C. Little
widely known educator who was at the table stated positive-
ly that since these camps came to the island, illegitimate
children have increased in numbers greatly, that drunken-
ness has also increased and that the Bar Harbor police have
had a lot of trouble with the members of the camps. He
who?
deplored the bringing to these camps of city boys who
taught the country boys a lot of evil tricks they never
knew.
(He made many more charges -- none of which I could
answer. I have believed in the camps because of seeing
them in the western mountains where the boys were too far
away from centers to get into trouble. I have felt a bit
uneasy about them on this island. I
have seen them for
two summers as I drove between here and Bar Harbor and it
is evident that a few men could have accomplished as much
in a few weeks as whole truck loads of these boys have
done in two summers.)
Source Lonald Leacher 1/12/09
Mr. Early.
Page 2.
I was impelled to try and meet the commanding offi-
cers of the local camps and go into these charges with
them but felt that such officiousness might lead me into
trouble. I cannot involve my dinner guests. I must say
that (name deleted) did not join in the acclaim against
the Administration nor the camps nor did the (name deleted).
I feel that the leaders of the C.C.C. should do their
process
goods
utmost to put in such prominent camps as these only the
best behaved men and the best workers. It is exactly like
a stage here and the setting and actors should be of the
finest. We have leading citizens of many, many states
here and they go away with a frightful impression of the
camp movement. If it is possible to do so, I would like
falley
to see some effort made to check on the wild statements
that illegitimacy has increased and that drunkenness and
disorder has also increased in the town of Bar Harbor. Of
course it is a Republican town and possibly the Chief of
Police is glad to take a rap at the C.C.C. Give me
your
re-action to this letter and let me know if there is any
way to make show camps of these.
Sincerely yours,
(Sgd) JOHN J. O'BRIEN.
dow
back
BHT
rook
ck's
lof2
par narbor From the Air (Sportsman Photo)
raff
dge,
use,
the
also
Superintendent
George
B.
Dorr
Tells
2)
C.3
Of
with
par-
:ing
"The Discovery Of-Mt. Desert Island
And
TH
T
The Development of Acadia National Park
the
as
Car
Coa
ose
an
Acadia
National
Park,
placed
calls the Norumbegue, Champlain
feudal fief, by the Government
to the grand-daughter of Cadillac
fou
bl-
in old Acadian territory on the
reached an Indian village at the
of Quebec and Louis XIV to An-
and her husband, M. and Mme. de
C:a
ent
coast of Maine, has been for
head of tidal water near the
toine de la Mothe Cadillac, a sol-
Gregoire, the eastern half, where-
Har
and
several years the only National
present city of Bangor, comment-
dier of Acadia, who became its
on the highest mounains are, and
resi
res,
Park in the United States east of
ing in his journal on the open,
Seigneur. Later, joining Fron-
the park headquarters at Bar
une
ur-
Mississippi.
It
sprung
from
park-like beauty of its eastern
tenac on the St. Lawrence, he
Harbor; and the western half be.
trip
and
state-incorporated public reserva-
shore, the dark forest on
its founded Detroit, the 'City on the
yond Somes Sound to Bernard's
jou
ind
tions, extending over the moun-
western.
Strait, but for a time he lived
son.
7
or
tain heights and wooded valleys
Upon that trip he also named
apparently upon the Island, on
From these two grants the one
bor
im-
of Mount Desert Island, which
the Isle au Haut, outermost head-
the shore of Frenchmans Bay
recalling French Acadia and the
who
vey
had been formed by President
land of the submerged coast
until in the warring of the period
ancient grant to Cadillac, the
hon
the
Charles W. Eliot of Harvard, by
whose heights now form the
his home was wrecked.
other the passing of Acadia to
in
and
the present superintendent of the
islands and whose valleys are the
The next act in the drama was
England and the grant to Massa-
bor
tes,
Park, and a few other early sum-
thoroughfares and channels of
carried out upon the battlefields
chusetts, come, apart from a few
J
ept
mer residents. By the commence-
that uniquely picturesque sea-
of Europe and ended in the
early settlers' granted claims, the
few
ment of the Wilson Administration
penetrated shore.
Peace of Utrecht in 1713, by
titles of the United States to its
these reservations had assumed
ers,
which all Acadia, save only Cape
importance enough, in view of the
A few years later Henry IV was
park possessions on Mount Desert
Des
ter
killed by a fanatic in the streets
Breton with the strong fortress
Island, as yet its only ones within
ed
in
wonderful coastal scenery they
command, to be offered to the
of Paris, and de Monts, a Hugue-
of Louisberg was ceded to En-
the eastern states.
th
ned
not, returned to France, where
gland. But the cession was a
ard
national government. Franklin
fiction only and warfare still
Congress Considers the Park
in
K. Lane, Secretary of
the
In-
by
King Henry's ealier appoint-
her
went on until the capture of
When Congress gave the Sieur
ment he was Governor of Pons,
de Monts National Monument its
or-
terior, welcomed the gift, which
an ancient city in southwestern
Louisberg in 1758, after a long
first appropriation, the Appro-
mar
his
three years later, with lands in-
creased and deeds perfected, be-
France established as a place of
siege by land and sea, and the
priations Committee coupled it
well
came by presidential proclama-
refuge for Huguenots; and there
fall of Quebec in 1759, which
with the statement that the Tract
alm
and
marked the final downfall of the
tion the Sieur de Monts National
he passes out of sight, an inter-
was by nature a national Bark
reso
and
French Dominion in America.
Monument.
esting and gallant figure which
area and should be made a
Her
and
appears and vanishes.
Colonization From Massachusetts
park.
bill
to
make
it
so
was
on
The territory was that of the
ancient French province of Aca-
The Settlement In 1613
Then only began colonization
was introduced accordingly by
Ste
bor
dia, of which the Sieur de Monts
In 1613 a Jesuit mission to con-
from Massachusetts, by the ef-
Senator Hale of Maine which duly
and
long
was founder. De Monts was
vert the Indians, financed by
forts of whose last English Gov-
passed and was signed by Presi-
ties
lar-
un-
commissioned by Henry IV, Henry
Mme. de Guercheville, a wealthy
ernor, Sir Francis Bernard, that
dent Wilson on his first return
the
portion of Acadia which is eastern
from France, on February 26,
for
Pro-
of Navarre, Huguenot protector
and pious lady of the Court,
he
and great king, to take posses-
dropped anchor, after a long and
Maine, including Mount Desert
1919.
other
1 of
sion as viceroy of the land for
dangerous voyage, in the harbor
and the National Park and all the
The period when the bill was
the
France under the name of l'Ac-
coast between to the Penobscot
at the entrance to Somes Sound,
introduced,
in
the
summer
of
D
use
e of
cadia, a name, the commission
a glacial fiord which divides in
River was granted to that Prov-
1918, was one when all men's
hou
states, with which he had become
ince. The rest, with its French
it
two the Island's mountain chain,
thoughts were turned to France
ents
familiar through accounts brought
and, welcomed by Indians estab-
peasantry, whose fate in part is
and the youth of America on its
cam
back by fishermen and traders re-
lished on the opposite shore, com-
told by Longfellow in Evangeline,
way to battle there and the name
wh:
his
d a
turning from its shores.
menced a settlement on a grassy
became Nova Scotia and New
of Lafayette suggested itself for
of
Brunswick.
the new park possession that once
do
mer
That was in December, 1603; in
meadow sloping to the sea which
the
March 1604. de Monts set sail,
still bears the name of Jesuit
For his services in securing to
had been a portion of old France
tier
Field. Then, one fair summer
Massachusetts the western portion
and that looked out upon the
and
bringing Champlain as aide; and
B
day, an English vessel from Vir
of Acadia that Province gave to
ocean which our men were trav-
while he was founding his first
Elio
was
Eliot
colony on an island in the tidal
ginia, captained by Sir Samuel
Governor Bernard the Island of
ersing.
Har
Argall, came sailing in and with-
Mount Desert, ignoring Cadillac's
Ten years later, when another
estuary of. the St. Croix River,
Hou
got
where ouf national boundary now
out pause or warning opened fire
early claim, and King George con-
bill was introduced by the Hon.
scen
Kim-
the
mission,
which
firmed the grant. He sailed to
John E. Nelson of Maine, Repre-
hore
runs, he sent Champlain in an
upon
it
pose
e to
wrecked, carrying off as prisoners
visit it in 1763, from Fort William
sentative from its district, to give
open sailboat with a dozen sailors
She
Th
to explore the western coast. One
two Jesuit fahers, whose full ac-
in Boston harbor, bringing with
powers to the Secretary of the In-
sum
count is published in the Jesuit
him surveyors and a considerable
erior for the Park's enlargement
long day's sail with favoring wind
not
noice
the
to
of
Narratives.
suite, and laid out for settlement
beyond the limits of Mount Desert
brought
the
head
quie
the town of Southwest Harbor
Island.
opening
new
future
to
and
Frenchman's
Bay
as
the
Bas-
That, Parkman says, was the
the
with in-lots and out-lots, and kept
it, it seemed wise to take for
of
tonnais- people of Boston and
first act of overt warfare in the
ture
a journal, still extant, telling of
name telling in A single word of
e of
the New England coast-later
long century and a half struggle
cow
the trip.
the long history that lay behind is
from
called it, when he discovered
between France and England for
men
The Revolution
with which it was so closely bound,
whe
p of
Mount Desert Island and named
the possession of North America,
Then
came
the
Revolution.
and call it Acadia National Park,
same
it from the bare rock peaks he
a struggle which ended only on the
with
Governor
Bernard took the Eng
which was approved and done.
Bos.
saw against the western sky,
heights of Abraham in the cap-
beau
lish side.
His lands were confis-
The Park looks out upon a sub-
e of
l'Isle de) Monts deserts.
ture of Quebec.
catedand Mount Desert Island
merged coast, a sunken land, the
n on
Two days later, guided by In-
During this struggle French-
again became the property of
worn remnants of whose ancient
T
the
dians dwelling on its shore, at
mans Bay played its part as a
Massachusetts, not Province now
heights are islands and headlands
made
three
Hull's Cove apparently where
rendezvous for French vessels in
but Commonwealth.
whose stream-eroded valleys form
Clar
ancy
many Indian relics have been
attacks on the New England coast,
After the Revolution was over
bays and estuaries. The whole
the
built
found, Champlain sailed on
or as shelter when attacked.
petitions for a grant of the Island
coast of Maine from Portland east
later
ball's
around or through the archipel-
Two generations after the
were received by the General
has this submerged character, giv-
He
one-
ago of lesser islands lying between
wrecking of this settlement
Court of Massachusetts from the
ing it its extraordinary length of
til
eping
it and Penobscot Bay.
Mount
Desert
Island
and
two
grand-daughter of Cadillac and
shoreline and recreational impor-
hous
his
Ascending
the
long
estuary
of
square
leagues
the
opposite
the
son
of
Bernard;
and
the
Court
tance.
his
The
the
Penobscot
River,
which
he
mainland
were
granted,
as
divided
it
between
them,
giving
(Continued on Page Six)
takes
the
from
Rob-
was
1890
mont
ecade
house
Mid other questwater possing
Mount Decert Island is the east
.ng
on
him
Page Three)
and
then
It
hrmost and largest in this archi-
being
to
be
amusing
There
i.
various
ac
belago. Its mountain range,
the
original
concerning
of
the
egotist
in
Mr.
Emery
titlets for the benefit
of
the
which forms the dominant land-
their
After
organiza:
very
careful
well as the summer
cape of the National Park fronts
tion and the report of their var-
others
and
deeply
residents developed, the Sex
the sea across it from east to
lous committees and annual meets
all constructive movements
vest.
fhgs
Harbor Library, being built is
thestrical world of (today
The Department will hold its
Miss
1900 on land donated by
THE DEVELOPMENT OF
annual ball at the Casino Thurs
NORTHEAST HARBOR
George B. Cooksey and Mrs
ACADIA NAT'L PARK
day evening, August 22nd The
Charles H Clement, a summer
first ball was held more than fifty
(Continued from Page
and a winter resident. In 1900
(Continued from Page Two)
years ago and they have become
regular fixture of the summer
the hunureds of families
the Harbor Cliffs Tennis Club was
Deeply trenched by glacial cro-
program at Bar Ha bor. The
there, both permadent
established on the high land east
sion dividing it into separate peaks
first balls were held at the Rodick
mer resident. have
this
of the harbor and continued its
its highest summit, Cadillac Moun-
House. which the carly summer
member gratefully the
tain, rises as a solid block of gran-
residents
activities with tournaments every
will undbubtedly re-
of the summer colony. Th.
in
ite to a broad-topped elevation
member.
ing memorial of Blahrin
es
of
summer until 1927 when it WAS
Ifteen hundred and twenty-eight
the Church of St.
first
to
superceded by the new Harbot
feet above the ocean level, and
NOTED FLIERS
Sea. Mr. Curti left
and descends, surf-swept, beneath
ants and bequeather
New Haven, a
Club. The Seal Harbor Neigh
lit. To this summit, from which
borhood Hall was built in 191
(Continued from Page One)
his estate "for the quiet
es Track first
one looks out over a vast expanse
Colonel Chamberlin i3 best
of the prople of the
sticator will
principally for the benefit of the
of ocean to a far horizon and up
their summer visitors
known for his trans atlantic flight
resident who
permanent residents of the place
and down the coast for fifty miles,
to Germany and since that time
aracter of an
and from subscriptions made very
a road has been built which in
has been closely connected with
generally from both the perma-
sheer beauty will have few equals
several major airlines.
sisting sing
nent and summer residents. This
in the world. The other peaks
Miss Nichols i3 the holder of
maxie/ and
hall was burned to the ground in
that form the range, separated
the second transport license in
at 3:00 and
1919 and replaced by the present
by deep wooded valleys and lakes
sued to a woman in the United
tely one hour
building from the proceeds of the
of glacial origin, are reserved for
States and also holds the first
will consume
insurance with additional sub
walkers.
airplane and engine mechanic'
me.
scriptions, and fills a very im
From far to sea and east and
license granted by the U. S. De
list of enter
portant part in the social life of
vest along the coast, these bold
partment of Commerce and the
ial portion of
the place, particularly during the
rock-masses dominate the land-
first International Hydro-aero
d. Wynn, Bill
winter months The Seal Harbor
scape. Eastward the sun rises
plane license ganted by the Fed
Morgenthau,
Yacht Club was organized in
from the Bay of Fundy, the "Deep
deration Internationale Aeronau
Dorothy Rob.
1923. its first Commodore being
Bay" named by the Portuguese,
tique to a woman. She is the
melejPosselle,
Mr. Roscoe B. Jackson of Detroit,
out by the French, Baie Francoise.
only woman to have held three
who served until his death in
Westward, it sinks behind the dis-
worlds records at the same time
Witkersham,
1929 He was succeeded by Mr
tant Camden Hills over the archi-
Edsel B. Ford. and in the present
pelago with its mingled lands and
Enter Mr. John Emery in
Owen Davis,
year by Mr. Edward K. Dunham,
waters.
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
Gracen George,
Jr. The Club affords landing to
The greatest recreational ter-
One night last winter your re
h Barrett, Wil-
visiting yuchts and holds an an
ritory in the country is the New
porter attended a new Broadway
others.
nual Regatta each year in CO
England coast, reaching to the St.
Show. In it was a young actor
n
Child
operation with the Northeast
Croix River, where de Monts'sfirst
who died, As the story ran, in the
of informinent
Harbor Club.
settlement of Acadia was made,
second act, and some way or om
er much else seemed to die with
riven parts in
In 1925 Mr. Ed3el B. Ford
from Long Island Sound in the
SEE THE SEACOAS
Centuries,
who had been going to Seal
vicinity of New York. In early
him. The play was John VanDri
Harbor for stays of longer or
times its waters formed the high-
ten's "Flowers of the Forever
John DeWitt
shorter duration for many years,
and the young actor, Mr. John
FROM &
road connecting the colonies with
bought 75 acres on Ox Hill at the
(MrskPeltz is
each other and with the outside
Emery And lo! today your same
east side of the harbor and the
direction) and
world. Now it has become a
reporter was asked to "interview
LINER'S DICK
next year occupied his present
y Alid AMary
source
of infinite refreshment to
Mr. Emery who has recently
residence. In that year also, Mr
the great |city and industrial pop-
reached Bar Harbor to begin
daughter of
Roscoe B. Jackson bought the
ulations of the East.
hearsals for Much Ado About
CS YOU TRAVEL
Philidielphia;
Penrose property on the east side
Nothing, that comedy of comedies
of New York,
The character of this coast and
of the harbor just above the
given us by Mr. Shake
enry B. Baker
Yacht Club and built the resi
its extraordinary fitness to great
which will be seen at the Casino
NEW
YORK
h of (Philadel-
recreational needs are due to
dence which now stands there
Theatre. Aug. 15th. 16th. 17th
Horsey of
glacial action, the ice sheet invas-
In the year 1926 Mr. Rocke
under the auspices of the Studi
riska de Hedry,
ion extending to New York Har-
feller. Mr. Ford, the late Mr
of Acting
Id of Washing-
bor and there ceasing; and to the
Jackson and the late Dr. D
Mr. Emery entered the
rs. Anne Arch-
Hunter McAlpin seeing the de
deep embayments of a sunken
where he had been told
and Pamela
chore.
York, staying
sirability of a swimming as well
the reporter. and it was good
To Casco Bay, beyond Portland,
ndmother, Mrs.
as a tennis club bought property
see that death hadn't
horne; James
bordering on Bracy Cove and
beaches predominate; from there
prived the stage of him
cast is a coast of rocks, culminat-
built the present Harbor Club
night, in the second act of
son of Mrs.
ing in boldness at Mount Desert
with its Club House, swimming
ers of the Forest.
No
and Mr. James
But deep embayments, islanded
pool and tennis courts, the old
quite alive-tall, good
Antonio Y. C.
tennis club being given up in that
and giving wonderful opportuni-
very real. There is about
elphia, son of
ties for summer life upon the
year.
charming modesty perhaps
The Jordan Pond House
water, are characteristic of great
tle surprising when one
Siter, daughter
sections of the coast throughout;
An account of Seul Harbor
his successes in the Thest
of_Philade)
and the most beautiful of these
would hardly be complete with
was courteously
tolerant
uncle, Llew-
and most richly islanded is that of
ou mention of two other items.
usual boring, dull
and Mrs. John
First the Jordan Pond House
the old Acadian region of the Na.
always start an
hiladelphia and
tional Park
which has played a large part in
his answer to the first
John and Ed-
the life of the summer residents
From the dawn of history the
after those relative to birth,
Gerard 2nd of
and which has been conducted
sea, on islanded and harbored
riage and how be happened
ephen Cook of
since the year 1895 by Mr. Mc-
coasts, has moulded human char
on the stage,-save
Mr. and Mrs.
Intire who built it up from a vdry
acter, arousing its energies, stimu-
joy
to
the
interviewer
Miss Joy Ham-
small beginning to its present at
lating the imagination and awak
then knew a delightful
tractive condition. The other
ening the sense of beauty sym
ARES
TO
NEW
barn, daughter
is
was in prospect.
Villiam Pierson
bolized by the Greeks of Homer's
the network of woodland paths
dith Clark of
radiating from this spot for, as
time in the birth of Aphrodite
of Mrs. James
from the sea-foam off the Isle of
stated by Baedecker in his guide.
granddaughter
book of the United States, is
Cyprus. That the National Park
Fabbri; Adrian
for its convenience as a center
Service should take part in prc-
A. F. ORR
rk, son of Mr.
for walkers that Seal Harbor
serving to the people in free con-
is
Sepville Moore.
tact this great influence and
very favored." There trails, hid
N. D. D. c.
source of health is the purpose of
rence of Provi-
out and mapped mostly in the
NATUROPATH
Acadia National Park, Situated
Rev. and Mrs.
PHYSIOTHERAPIST
years 1895 and 1896 by the late
in a region where no public hold
and
Lawrence and
Waldron Bates of Bar Harbor
ings have existed since colonial
CHIROPRACTOR
Bishop William
with assistance. from our side of
days, it has been wholly formed
athalle Munson
the Island, are kept up by the
Acute and Chronic Diseases
hughter of Mr
VIIIARC Improvement
by gift; and TO 18 by further
Respond to Modern Drugless
The Eyrie
Seal Harbor, Maine
August 16, 1935
Dear Mr. Dorr:
In the large gravel pit which you are excavating
on the Derby property, at the northwest end of the
pit trees are already cut within fifty or sixty feet
of the line of the governmentally approved motor road
which crosses the mountain near the Beehive and con-
nects with the Ocean Drive. Gravel is at present
being taken out in this northwest corner within per-
haps one hundred feet of the proposed road line. I
am venturing to raise the question as to whether this
is wise or desirable. At our mutual convenience I
shall be glad of the opportunity of exchanging views
with you as to the use which is being made of this
piece of the Derby property which I gave the Park.
Mrs. Rockefeller and I went to Schoodic yesterday
and drove all around the roads, finished and unfin-
ished. We were thrilled with their beauty and the
great possibilities which their completion will de-
velop. My heartiest congratulations.
Very sincerely,
John's
Mr. George B. Dorr
Bar Harbor
Maine
The Eyrie
Seal Harbor, Maine
August 21, 1935
Dear Mr. Dorr:
The other day Mrs. Rockefeller and I walked along
the Ocean Drive paths from the north to the south, in-
cluding the detours to the rocks. We were charmed with
the system and both agreed that it is a very great addi-
tion to the Ocean Drive development. The northern sec-
tion is beautifully designed and constructed, the rocks
along the path being placed in a way to make it seem as
though they had always been there. The paths from the
several parking places to the road are also admirable,
well located and most tastefully constructed.
The northern end of the path system seems not to
have been completed. This is regrettable and I am won-
dering why it is. Since the Ocean Drive frontage is one
of the most popular points for tourists to visit, is
there any other work more important to complete at an
early date?
I noticed that no drainage has been arranged in con-
nection with the paths and that the water in various
places has cut through them and washed down them. Ought
there not to be drain pipes from the road under the paths
wherever it is found that water naturally runs, so as to
prevent the washing out of the paths and the attendant
additional upkeep thus involved? My experience in road
building has been that the greatest economy in maintenance
is obtained by the greatest care and thoroughness in
designing and constructing the drainage system. This I
am sure you have also found to be true.
Very sincerely,
John
Mr. George B. Dorr
Bar Harbor
Maine
The Eyrie
Seal Harbor, Maine
August 24, 1935
Dear Mr. Dorr:
Sometime next week, if convenient for you, I
should be glad to come and see you for a few minutes
about a matter which you and I have never discussed
but about which you probably know as much or more than
I do. I will telephone you early in the week to make
an appointment.
Very sincerely,
Mr. George B. Dorr
Bar Harbor
Maine
897
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
ACADIA NATIONAL PARK
BAR HARBOR, MAINE
OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT
August 24, 1935.
Dear Mr. Rockefeller:
It gives me great pleasure that you and Mrs. Rocke-
feller found the work along the trails between the Ocean
Drive and the shore so good, as far as done. An un-
believable amount of labor and material has gone into it
but it has been a delight to see it grow.
I agree with you entirely in regard to the importance
of that strip of shore, that it should be kept as natural,
made as beautiful and as accessible as possible. The
part that remains unfinished was held up for lack of loan,
of which a great deal as well as of other material has
been required, but a fresh supply has recently become
available and I am now starting work again upon it.
The Schoodic lands apart, this strip of shore is as
yet the only contact the Park has in its eastern section
with the sea, which will always be the most abiding source
of pleasure to its visitors from near and far.
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
ACADIA NATIONAL PARK
BAR HARBOR. MAINE
OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT
Mr. Rockefeller.
Page 2.
At the present moment official visitors are here from
Washington, but I look forward to our meeting soon as you
suggest our doing in your recent letter.
Yours sincerely,
[G.B.DoRR]
Mr. John D. Rockefeller, Jr.,
The Eyrie,
Seal Harbor, Maine.
F 8 3
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
ACADIA NATIONAL PARK
BAR HARBOR, MAINE
OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT
August 26, 1935
Dear Mr. Rockefeller,
With regard to the gravel pit on the former
Derby back-land: When the land was cleared two
years ago last spring for the purpose of obtain-
ing gravel the man in charge exceeded, by mistake,
directions given and cut nearer the eastern line
of your road survey than I intended. I was sorry
when I found it out soon after but I saw it could
be easily remedied by planting when the road was
built and I have trees now growing that will quickly
make a screen. But it seemed to me wiser, in view
of the work to be done on your road there, not to
do such planting until the road was built as I
thought the cleared space would make a valuable
burning ground for clearing on the road and tem-
porary work entrance for trucks.
I did not open the pit till I had assured
myself from Mr. Ralston that there was no intention
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
ACADIA NATIONAL PARK
BAR HARBOR. MAINE
OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT
2.
on your part of using the material on your neighboring
work, for which he said he had examined it and not found it
suitable. Since my own gravel pits became exhausted
the Park has had no gravel available east of Somes Sound
and the supply from the Derby pit, coming when it did,
has been most valuable. It has been used from
Cadillae Mountain top and the McFarland Field Camp
to the paths and grading on the ocean-front, Much
was taken for covering, in accordance with the advice
of Dr. Meinecke, sent from Washington, the feeding
rootlets of the trees in the motor campground and at
the Spring, trampled by visitors, and other for the
fire-lanes by the brookside through the Gorge.
Yours sincerely,
[G.B.Dorr]
GBD-0
The Eyrie
Seal Harbor, Maine
August 27, 1935
Dear Mr. Dorr:
Thank you for your two letters in reply to mine of the
16th, 21st and 24th.I am delighted to know that you
are able to resume work on the Ocean Drive walk and
that it is in your mind to make this area between the
Drive and the shore as beautiful, as natural and as
accessible to the public as possible.
who?
If your official guests have departed by Thursday
morning of this week, would it be convenient for me to
come to see you for a few minutes around half past ten
or eleven? I am going to New York this Friday night
to be gone about two weeks.
Very sincerely,
John D.
Mr. George B. Dorr
Bar Harbor
Maine
note: Orpt. 2 week
exchange of documents re
UNITED STATES
frequing t tont.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
ACADIA NATIONAL PARK
BAR HARBOR. MAINE
OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT
August 28, 1935. [wed]]
Dear Mr. Rockefeller,
I shall be glad to see you at my house here on
Thursday morning at half past ten or eleven, accord-
ing to your suggestion.
will you kindly let your secretary telephone
which time would suit you best.
Yours sincerely,
[G. B.DORR]
Mr. John D. Rockefeller, Jr.,
Seal Harbor, Maine.
( of 2
0
P
Y
Bar Harbor, Maine,
August 29, 1935.
Dear Mr. Dorr:
with regard to the matters taken up in the letter
of Mr. J. J. O'Brien: I have the following statement
to make concerning the C. C. C. men of the 154th Camp
on McFerland's Hill in the Town of Ber Harbor.
Such complaints as were received by the Police
Department with regard to the men in camp on McFarland's
Ancidest
Hill had reference to a construction force occupying the
site, in addition to the 154th, which was made up of men
from Messachusetts, who proved unruly. That WELS in June,
1933. At that time we had complaints and criticism from
the summer residents and from the permanent residents of
the town.
Since then, with the cooperation of the Cremp Super-
intendent end the several camp commanders that have been
here, the morale of the boys, both in town and out, has
improved to such an extent that during the past few
months there has been no complaint to me or to the Board
of Selectmen concerning activities of these boys.
I also wish to state that the conduct of the boys
of the 154th in and about our streets has been excellent.
During the past several months this has been commented
upon by several of our local business men.
With regard to drunkenness of these boys on the
street: Our court records go to show that for the num-
ber of boys in this camp and the fact that changes are
made in the personnel every six months, drunkenness is
at e minimum. In the past year there has been very little
drunkenness among the men at camp. I would like to call
your attention to the fact that there have been several
arrests made of members of the 2104th, which is at Ells-
worth, and my opinion is that the general public, merely
knowing that boys they see are C.C.C. men, often attri-
bute their activities to the men of the Ber Harbor camp.
of2
Mr. Dorr. Page 2.
The men of the camp at Southwest Harbor, since its found-
ing, have given the police very little trouble.
I would sey, with regard to the situation generally
that to the best of my knowledge and from my official
cooperation with the Town Clerk, the Red Cross, and the
Overseer of the Poor, also a welfare officer, who is in
touch with all people, there have been only two cases of
illegitimacy during the period of the camp's founding here
and this is, considering the number of new men coming into
town, a very smell percentage, And to this I would add
that in neither of these cases is the man involved an
enrollee. In each case the man was a member of the super-
visory force. One of them has been discharged and the
other case has not been settled.
The men of this camp, as I see them, conduct them-
selves as Maine boys from towns and cities of this State
might be expected to do. In regard to the teaching of
bad tricks or habits to the Bar Harbor resident boys by
the men of the C.C.C. # My official records will go to
prove that this is not so.
The fullest cooperation has been given me in all
matters pertaining to the C. C. C. boys and their activi-
ties in the town when off duty by Supt. Conner and a
good deal of the credit for the good behaviour of these
boys is due in large measure to him.
Yours sincerely,
George C. Abbott,
Chief of Police,
Bar Harbor, Maine.
Page lof 3
C
O
P
UNITED STATES
Y
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
ACADIA NATIONAL PARK
BAR HARBOR. MAINE
OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT
September 23, 1935.
Mr. A. E. Demaray,
Assistant Director,
National Park Service,
Washington, D. C.
Dear Mr. Demaray:
I enclose copy of a letter referring to the
matter brought up in your letter of August 24,
concerning the C. C. C. camps on Mount Desert
Island, their members and their work, which I can
state without qualification to have been excellent,
both in the spirit in which it has been done and in
the accomplishment brought about.
The copy sent me of the letter from Mr. O'Brien,
a summer resident at Seal Harbor, seems to me to need
a word of comment to you which you will please keep
confidential.
The letter takes me back to the days of 1924
and 1929 when Mr. Rockefeller's road programs were
so bitterly attacked.
When the copy of Mr. O'Brien's letter came, I
could not for the moment place him; later I did.
He is not one of our older summer residents. The
"distinguished educator" whom he quotes in attack
upon the camps is our old friend, Dr. Clarence C.
Little.
Mr. ''Brien turned up here, a new-comer, in
the time of the Florida land boom, in which I was
told he reaped large gain. He and his wife had
been truck-farmers previously in that section,
growing vegetables for the northern market, an
experience of which I remember his telling me in
2013
Mr. Demaray. Page 2.
much detail. A year or so later, the bottom dropped
out of the boom, his house at Bar Harbor was sold
and he returned to Florida, where his wife, I heard,
died soon after. I lost sight of him after he left
here, but heard lately of his having married, meet-
ing her in Florida, the widow of Roscoe B. Jackson
of Detroit, president of the Hudson-Essex Automobile
Company, with a summer home at Seal Harbor.
Shortly before Mr. Jackson died he had joined
with Edsel Ford, a summer resident also at Seal
Harbor, in pledging to Dr. Little funds for a cancer
research laboratory, conditioned on his securing from
me the further gift of a certain favorable tract of
land on which, on my placing it at his disposal, he
had previously conducted for the University of Maine,
of which he was then president, a summer school of
biology.
I was in Washington at the time and he tele-
graphed me there that he wanted to come on to see
me. He came and told me of his having the con-
ditional promise of funds for building, equipping,
and operating for a term of years, a cancer research
laboratory on the land previously used for the
University of Maine summer school. After hearing
his story I agreed to give the land and funds were
provided and building began. This Laboratory has
provided him since with an income and an occupation.
Mr. Jackson died soon after and the Laboratory,
not completed at the time, was named in his memory
the Roscoe B. Jackson Memorial Laboratory for Cancer
Research, which tied his family up closely with it.
The time for which funds for operating the
Laboratory were pledged has since expired and while
3 of3
Mr. Demaray. Page 3.
I know nothing of Dr. Little's affairs, I imagine
that Edsel Ford, with only a chance interest in the
undertaking, has probably dropped out and that the
sole or chief contributors now keeping the Laboratory
going are the former Mrs. Jackson and her family. This
explains the tie between Dr. Little and Mr. O'Brien,
who has returned, with his wife, the former Mrs.
Jackson, to Mr. Jackson's Seal Harbor home.
Dr. Little was one of the group whom I brought
on in 1924 to Washington to defend Mr. Rockefeller's
road construction before Secretary Work, when attack
had been made on it by Senator Pepper, Harold Peabody
and others.
Six years later, in 1930, when Mr. Rockefeller
had made his second offer, when I was again at
Washington, I was given a copy of a letter, sent
down from the Secretary's office to be filed, which
Dr. Little had written Secretary Wilbur in attack
upon Mr. Rockefeller's project. In this letter Dr.
Little said that as he was under ohligation to me
he would esteem it a favor if the Secretary would
regard his letter as confidential and keep it private.
Just what has actuated Dr. Little in his change
of attitude toward Mr. Rockefeller's work and the
Park in general, which, however, has not come out
in the open here, I do not know; but from facts that
have come to me, I do not think the underlying motives
far to seek.
I mention this only to give you the background
of the attack, thinking it worth while that you should
have it. Dr. Little and I remain on friendly terms,
though we meet but rarely. No question of his changed
attitude has ever been raised between us.
Yours sincerely,
GEORGE B. DORR.
Page 3 of 6
Cc: Don Lenahan
Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 11:41 AM
Subject: Re: 1935 Letters
Dear Don & Jack,
Thanks for sending me the 1935 correspondence. I had apparently
overlooked it at the park archives and would appreciate Don sending
me the box and folder number at his convenience.
I've attached some paragraphs from the Dorr biography that I wrote
prior to "discovery" of the 1935 O'Brien-Dorr--Abbott
correspondence.. I wonder if this contextual information alters your
views? I've also got in hand a copy of the "Narrative report of the
Fifth Enrollment Period, McFarland Field Camp-NP-1." This eight
page
report from The National Archives (which I can send either or you if
you like) details the work done which in my judgment belies the
claims of O'Brien. As I read his letter I kept making marginal
notations to the effect" what is his evidence? What specific persons
find the work of the CCC boys "in full sight of summer residents"
to
be offensive? In my judgment, the offensive behavior lies with the
summer resident. What sort of person in their leisurely enjoyment of
the Island finds the work of others to improve the landscape
"offensive"?
O"Brien's unattributed claims are all the more egregious since he
tries to milk the "laziness" theme to such an extent. As a former
ethics professor, I'm especially drawn to his morality theme,
attributing to the CCC "boys" the fathering of several children while
not providing evidence for the same--for example, testimony
from one of the pregnant young women-- nor consideration that the
illegitimate children may have been sired by residents--or as the
police chief Abbott explains, by a member of the supervisory force.
My overall impression is one of admiration--behavior both within and
outside the CCC camps were of a higher order of discipline and self-
discipline than one might expect, all things considered.
As Jack so wisely points out, Dorr takes the high road but does offer
me so new evidence of the fact that Dr. Little is still harboring
negative views about both himself and Mr. Rockefeller Jr. I've gone
through the JAX archives and cannot find any explanation for this
disfavor shown toward Dorr, given all that Dorr did to bring the JAX
into being. Were you aware that the Little and others had agreed to
Dorr's suggestion that the laboratory be named the Charles Hazen
Dorr Laboratory? That was until Jackson waved $$$ and Dorr
tactfully withdrew his suggestion in the interest of what the lab
might bring to the Island.
https://webmail.myfairpoint.net/hwebmail/mail/message.php?index=173
7/10/2010
Page 4 of 6
Hope this helps clarify the significance that all of us should attach to
O'Brien's letter. In my view, that on the basis of his incidental
experience he should attack the CCC program, its energetic
enroillees, and the administration of this national park is
inexcusable. That others may have held similar views would not
surprise me, but they fortunately never elevated the trashing of the
CCC program to the extent that Demaray and his superiors became
involved. A man of Dorr's stature, would have arranged for a lunch
with the park superintendent to discuss these concerns.
Enough about this!
Best to both of you.
Ron
Ronald H. Epp , Ph.D.
47 Pond View Drive
Merrimack, NH 03054
(603) 424-6149
eppster2@verizon.net
On Sat, 1/10/09, Jack Russell wrote:
From: Jack Russell
Subject: 1935 Letters
To: dplenah@roadrunner.com
Cc: "eppster2"
Date: Saturday, January 10, 2009, 10:40 PM
Don,
The letters you kindly sent arrived today and i have, indeed,
enjoyed them. The man you are tracking, John O'Brien, may
have a proud name but seems to have allowed his head to
swell in his real-estate-driven rise from Florida truck-farmer to
Seal Harborite -- albeit a shifty one able to woo the Jackson
widow has his lunch hook back to society after the Florida land
bust. But perhaps I do him injustice. As for Prexy's (C.C.
Little's) change from seeming supporter to covert opponent of
JDRII's roads, a disappointment, perhaps motivated, as Mr.
Dorr suggests, but the difficulties of funding the Jackson Lab.
https://webmail.myfairpoint.net/hwebmail/mail/message.php?index=173
7/10/2010
Southwest Harbor, Maine
September
1935.
Be It Voted That;
The Town of Southwest Harbor in special
meeting requests His Excellency the Governor of Maine,
Hon. Louis J. Brann, and the delegation to Congress
from the State, in so far as it lies within their
province, to interest themselves in the continuing
of the C. C. C. Camp at Great Pond, the 158th,
which is a part of the Pr sident's E. C. W. program and
which is under the direction of the National Park Service.
Rumors have come that the c amp is to be discontinued
for the now ensuing period at least.
The citizens of the Town have taken great interest
in the excellent work performed by this camp, work which
they regard as of high permanent value to the recreational
interests of the State and which they believe to be in
full accordance with the intention of the President in the
establishment of these camps.
C
7
o
TOWN OF BAR HARBOR
P.
Y
Office of
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Bar Harbor, Maine
September 23, 1935.
Superintendent George B. Dorr,
Acadia National Park,
Bar Harbor, Maine.
Dear Mr. Dorr:
We, the Selectmen of the Town of Bar Harbor, represent-
ing the citizens thereof, respectfully request that you do
everything in your power to retain for the Island the con-
tinuation of the camp on McFarlands Field, NP-1, 154th
C. C. C. and the Great Pond Camp, at Southwest Harbor,
NP-2, the 158th C. C. C.
The citizens of this Town have taken a great deal of
interest and pride in both these camps and feel that it
would be a calamity to interrupt their work, which has
been done with efficiency, has made a distinct contribution
to the public interest and has been, we feel, a benefit to
the morale and physical condition of the boys performing it.
Yours truly,
(Signed) L. LEE ABBOTT
D. W. MacLEOD
L. SHERMAN CLEAVES
ASA V. WASGATT
Selectmen of Bar Harbor.
So
ANPA, B 32,F37.
SELECTMEN, ASSESSORS AND
OSCAR A. TOLMAN, Collector of Taxes
OVERSEERS OF POOR:
LEITA LOPAUS, Treasurer
COLSON J. ROBBINS
EUGENE M. STANLEY, Clerk
C.M.RICH
EDWIN INGALLS, Road Commiesioner
MILTON POMROY
OFFICE OF BOARD OF SELECTMEN
TOWN OF TREMONT
MAINE
BERNARD, MAINE, Sept. 24,
1935
Mr. George B. Dorr
Supt. of Acadia Nat'1 Park
Bar Harbor, Maine
Dear Sir:
The Selectmen of the Town of Tremont representing the citizens
of this torm, request you to assist in every way possible to secure the
continuation of the CCC Camp at Great Pond, the 158th, which is a part
of the President's E. C. W. program and which is under the direction of
the National Park Service.
Rumers have come that the camp is to be discontinued for the now
ensuing period at least.
The citizens of the Town have taken great interest in the excellent
work performed by this camp, work which they regard as of high permanent
value to the recreational interests of the State and which they believe
to be in full accordance with the intention of the President in the
establishment of these camps.
Yours respectfully,
c.g. Rabbins. chairman.
GB
Continuation of the Mountain-to-Cceanfront Road
through Bear Brook Valley
In the late summer of 1935 Mr. John D. Rockefeller,
1935
Jr. drove over from his home at Seal Harbor to talk with
me concerning the continuation of the Park road then
building over Great Pond Hill and round the Great Meadow,
on its northern and eastern sides, for which an allotment
of $350,000 had recently been made and for which surveys
were
in process. The matter he wished to discuss with
me was that of taking the continuation of the road past
the northern base of Champlain Mountain instead of
through the Gorge as originally planned. I told him
he might count upon my cooperation but I did not take
up with him, nor he with me, the question of upon what
terms or conditions the Government might acquire the
necessary lands.
Mr. Rockefeller then asked, referring to my state-
ment that I would cooperate:
Health
"How about your executors?"
Upon this I laughed and said:
"You think it then so immediate?"
He replied that he closed up his affairs every night;
and I asked, humourously, whether he did not really think
that once a week would do.
2.
From speaking of my land he passed on, after
looking around to make sure that no one was within
hearing as we sat on my porch together in the late
summer sunshine, to talk of the difficulties he was
encountering in regard to the Livingston and Palmer
lands beyond my Bear Brook quarry. I told him I
Arthur
thought he might get help on this from my neighbor,
Mr. Arthur Train, who had lately spoken to me of the
Train
matter.
Mr. Rockefeller had no knowledge, I found, of
what I had already given; it was his road only that
he was interested in.
He did, however, bring up
the question of whether I had not lost my control of
the situation by permitting the Government to build
across my land the present road connecting that which
I had given the Government previously to give the public
access to the Champlain Mountain trails, with the land
which I had obtained for it from the Morrell estate,
where it had built its campground. I told him the
information given him in regard to this was wrong; that
though left open to the public I had built the road at
my own expense and, lest the question should at any time
come up, had kept my cancelled checks in record.
3.
Mr. Rockefeller left soon after, having an engage-
ment to keep at home. I understood at the time that
he would come over again to talk further on the matter,
but he never did so, though coming more than once, I
later learned from Mr. Train, to talk with him, on my
suggestion, concerning the further continuation of the
road through the Livingston and Potter Palmer properties.
I made a study of the matter myself, however, as
to how the necessary crossing -- at other than surface
grade -- of the County highway through the Gorge might
be made, without objection from the Town, and obtained
its consent at its next annual meeting to make the
crossing, it being the only way in which it could be
done without injury to the highway.
[GBDORR]
loF 2 pages
COPY
October 1, 1935.
The Eyrie
Seal Harbor, Maine.
My dear Mr. Secretary: (HL Dches)
On July 25th, 1935, you wrote me
supplementing your letter of March 25th, both being in
reply to my letter to you of March 14th. Your letter
was accompanied by a map, which you had caused to be
prepared, showing generally the lands which I had ac-
quired and had in mind to give the Government for the
extension program of Acadia National Park also showing
the existing and proposed Acadia National Park road
system.
In the last paragraph of your letter you said
"May I suggest that you check over the enclosed map
with your maps and if you find it satisfactory and correct
and in accordance with our understanding, the filing of
this map in your office, with a duplicate in the records
of the National Park Service, will constitute the com-
pletion of this transaction.
In checking over this map I find that partly
because of its scale and partly because the map which I
sent you and from which your map was prepared was sug-
gestive and illustrative of my general purpose rather
than accurate in its details, there are certain changes
which ought to be made.
Some of these changes would include certain additional
areas which I am prepared to give; some would exclude cer-
tain small and unimportant areas, which, because their
usefulness to the Park is questionable or because I have
not reached a final conclusion as to their disposition,
should be held in abeyance for future consideration;
some would make more accurate the boundary lines given.
I have been trying to make these corrections on
pasters that could be incorporated on a copy of the
original map without undertakin to completely re-
draw it.
2.
However, after discussin the matter first with Mr.
Cammerer and recently with Messrs. Vint and Taylor, who
have been here for several days, it has seemed more
satisfactory to have a new map made which will be & S
nearly accurate as possible in so far as its scale
permits. This Mr. Vint has done here as best he could,
with the cooperation of my representetives, On his
return to Washington he will have his office make a
better copy. If you find this new map satisfactory
end correct and according to our understanding, as
I do, perhaps you will sign it and have it substituted
for the map you sent me.
I am sending this letter to you through the Director
of the National Park Service to whom Mr. Vint willhand
the new map that it may be delivered to you with this
letter.
Very sincerely,
(SGS)
John D. Rockefeller, Jr.
The Secretary of
the Interior,
Washington, D.C.
Pg.10f2
Rockefeller Center
New York
Room 5600
30 Rockefeller Plaza
October 23, 1935
Dear Mr. Dorr:
The use of the horse roads both in Acadia Park
and on my own land by automobiles with work car signs,
other than the automobiles of my superintendent, engineers
and employees to whom I have issued work car signs, is
increasing and is adding to the difficulty and cost of
maintaining these roads as they should be maintained.
Please have someone write me as to whom you or
your subordinates have issued work car signs and the
reasons for which each sign has been issued. If the
roads thus used by motors authorized otherwise than by
me were only Park roads or were kept up by the Park,
the situation would be different and I would not feel
free to make these specific inquiries or thus to volunteer
my cooperation with you in devising a proper control and
material reduction of such use. As you will recall, the
terms upon which I have given these lands to the Govern-
ment are the following:
"The horse roads now in existence and any here-
after constructed on the land herein conveyed will be
open only for the use of horses, horse-drawn vehicles and
pedestrians and not for motor traffic.
except for
general road and roadside maintenance, repair and con-
struction purposes, fire-fighting and in case of accident".
I am sure you are pleased with the continuation of
the Southwest Harbor c.c.c. Camp and am glad that was the
outcome.
John A Very sincerely,
Mr. George B. Dorr, Superintendent
Acadia National Park
Bar Harbor, Maine
Rockefeller Center
New York
Room 5600
30 Rockefeller Plaza
October 23, 1935
Dear Mr. Dorr:
I am just deeding to the Government for addition to Acadia
National Park the land which I own on Otter Cliffs and Otter
Point and which is traversed by the motor road which I have
been building there. When the motor road is open for use next
summer as it will be, would it not be well to have the foot
path along the Ocean Drive continued through this area at least
to the Point? As you know, there is at present a foot path
which starts where my new road begins, goes up over the cliffs
and reaches the foot path which I have built below the road
on the cliffs by some stone steps. But this path is only the
old trail and should perhaps now be improved and possibly re-
aligned. To the south, where the path which I have built com-
manding the view on the cliffs ends, Mr. Olmsted has always
expected and I have hoped that the Park would continue this
path as a trail down toward the shore and along the edge of
the sea to the Point. It occurs to me that now that you know
of my gift of this land to the Park you may be able to arrange
to have the Park landscape people who are working for you in
Acadia Park develop with you such a path as I have outlined
and possibly construct it this fall and in the early spring.
I am making this suggestion for what it is worth and am
sending a copy of this letter to Mr. Ralston that he may coop-
erate with you in the matter by giving such information as he
has in regard to the general line of the path which Mr. Olmsted
has in mind.
Very sincerely,
John I
Mr. George B. Dorr, Superintendent
Acadia National Park
Bar Harbor, Maine
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
ACADIA NATIONAL PARK
BAR HARBOR, MAINE
October 26, 1935.
Dear Mr. Rockefeller:
The morning mail brought me your two letters,
in a single enclosures The one regarding con-
timation of the present path along the shore to
Otter Cliffs and beyond, following the old trail's
general line, with such improvements as may suggest
themselves as the work goes on, the other regarding
the use by motor cars or trucks of your horse-roads.
The desirability of continuing as for as to the
Cliffs the path, now completed, alongside the former
Ocean Drive I have had in mind from the beginning and
entered it this fall as a project for the McFarland
Field Camp in laying out the work for the enrollment
period entered on October first. It will take time
to build, for there is no way beyond its entrance
to reach it by truck.
Where the path is planned to rise from the
Cliffs up, construction of a different type will
be required, and for it men will be needed with
training and experience in rock work. But this
is a matter not necessary to deal with at this
time; with winter so near, it will be the beginning
of another summer before, at best, the path to the
Cliffs can be completed by the camp boys' work.
With regard to the use of your horse-roads
by car or truck, no permission for use of the roads
at all has been issued from the Park Office this year
[Note: Partial correspondence from park archives
See Nov. 13, 1935 reply received from J.D.R.Jr.]
Rockefeller Center
New York
Room 5600
30 Rockefeller Plaza
November 13, 1935
Dear Mr. Dorr:
Your letter of October 26th in answer to mine of
the 23rd is received. I am glad to note that you have
in mind the continuation of the Ocean Drive path along
the shore and the cliffs adjacent to the prolongation
of the Drive itself.
As to the use of the horse roads by cars or trucks,
you say no permission for their use has been issued from
the Park office this year except during recent weeks to
take the camp workers back and forth to Mitchell Hill where
they have been working on the blister rust infection and
for the occasional light truck use of them in the control
of poaching.
What I was anxious to know was the technique established
in your office of issuing permits for any use of these roads.
You yourself, of course, have a work car sign. Was this
originally issued by Mr. Ralston and kept since then or have
you put out new work car signs? How and to whom have work
car signs been issued in connection with the blister rust
work and the use of the roads in control of poaching? We
have found it necessary to issue colored work car signs
so that they can be changed every year and the old and dis-
carded signs quickly recognized as no longer effective. We
also keep a very strict record of each man to whom the sign
is issued and for what purpose. Please have sent me this
definite, specific information as to how and to whom and by
whom your signs are issued.
Very sincerely,
John Cockyum
Mr. George B. Dorr
Bar Harbor
Maine
C
Pg loF3
0
P
Y
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
ACADIA NATIONAL PARK
BAR HARBOR, MAINE
November 18, 1935.
Dear Mr. Rodick:
Allotment of funds has been made by the Federal
Government for connecting the Park road on Cadillac
Mountain with the entrance road to Sieur de Monts
Spring, and studies by the Federal Bureau of Roads
engineers are now in process for the alignment of
the
the road.
is
2
The next step in the plan for a continuous Park
why self info Rodick
road connecting the mountain with the oceanfront and
beyond will, according to present plans, be the cause-
way across Otter Creek built along the line of the
existing bar with a lock at its western end for tidal
flow, and a road along the shore beyond, below what
are known as the Black Woods, to connect with the
County Road to Seal Harbor near the bridge over Hunter's
Brook. For the construction of this section no funds
have been as yet provided, but request for them has been
made by the Department of the Interior.
Studies for the connecting section between Sieur
de Monts Spring and the oceanfront have been made, but
nothing definite as to what is best or possible has been
arrived at or can be at this time.
Two routes for this are physically possible: The
one, along the western side of the mountain and around
its southern end to make at the Homans pasture on its
eastern side a quick reversal of direction and proceed
thence to connection, at its eastern end, with the re-
constructed Ocean Drive. The other route, passing
below the mountain's northern, wooded face and along
its eastern side, would continue southward to the same
point as the western route in the Homans pasture, and
thence continuing on in direct course, and along the
same route as the other after making its reversal, to
the Ocean Drive.
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
ACADIA NATIONAL PARK
BAR HARBOR, MAINE
Mr. David O. Rodick. Page 2.
This latter course would open up successively
views of great interest and beauty; the course around
the western side and southern end of the mountain dis-
closes no feature of interest along its course, passing
through woods continuously from the Tarn to the Homans
pasture. To this route, when proposed five years ago,
strong antagonism immediately developed, on account,
especially, of its course closely paralleling the State
highway past the Tarn and of its passage at the moun-
tain's southern end through the Gorham-Beehive Pass,
carrying one of the oldest footways on the Island
connecting the early farming community at Schooner Head
and back of the Sand Beach with the farming and fishing
community at Otter Creek.
The route below the mountain's northern face and
along its eastern side would pass necessarily through
private property -- my own land first, and that which
I deeded years ago to the Wild Gardens of Acadia Corp-
oration; next, the rocky, upper corner of the Livingston
property; then, the Hare Forest mountain land, acquired
from the Bowler Estate by Mr. Potter Palmer. Beyond this
comes the tract acquired from the Bingham Heirs Estate
by Mr. Rockefeller, who now offers it to the Government
for the purpose of this road, beyond which the Government
owns property, acquired long since through gifts of Dr.
Brunnow and Mrs. William Bliss, extending to the meadow
level and past the foot of the mountain's high eastern
cliff, whence the way lies open ahead in direct course
to the Homans pasture.
An alternate route to this which has been proposed
would, after leaving my land at Bear Brook Quarry, issue
onto the Schooner Head Road and, skirting around Mrs.
Livingston's land and Mr. Palmer's Hare Forest mountain
tract, would ascend closely beyond the latter, where a
favorable opportunity offers, to join the route above,
surveyed for a continuous Park road.
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
ACADIA NATIONAL PARK
BAR HARBOR. MAINE
OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT
Mr. David O. Rodick.
Page 3.
To this latter course the Government ob jects on
the ground that it would break the desired continuous
progression of the road as a Park road, and I -- though
no decision rests with me, but with the Government alone --
because of the break which an ascent at this point would
make in the now continuous woodland cover of that steeply
mounting hillside, visible from high points of view along
the shore to the north and east and from the waters of the
Bay.
These all are to be looked on at this time as studies
only which may aid discussion in the future.
Believe me,
Sincerely yours,
GBD/S
(Sgd) GEORGE B. DORR,
Superintendent.
Mr. David O. Rodick,
Bar Harbor,
Maine.
UNITED STATES
C
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
O
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
P
Y
Acadia National Park
Bar Harbor, Maine.
November 18, 1935.
Mr. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. ,
30 Rockefeller Plaza,
New York City,
New York.
Dear Mr. Rockefeller:
I write in answer to your letter of the 13th in
regard to permits for the use of the horse roads.
It is more than a year, two years perhaps, since
I have driven over any portion of these roads myself.
I have asked Assistant Superintendent Hadley to make me
a statement concerning the use of them by members of
our Park office staff or others in the Park employ and
I enclose a copy.
Ranger Thompson, referred to in this statement, is
the only permanent ranger concerned with wild life protec-
tion in the eastern section of the Park, where he
cooperates with the State Warden, Lyle T. Smith, who
frequently accompanies him on his trips, the State never
having ceded or been asked to cede to the Federal Govern-
ment its criminal jurisdiction over the Park lands. Both
Ranger Thompson and State Warden Smith are faithful and
trustworthy, older men who attend strictly to their work;
better could not be found.
That the horse roads in the Park and those on your
land connecting with them have been used by motorists
during the past season I do not doubt; reports of it
have come to me. But such use has been entirely
unauthorized, and I frankly do not see how it can be
controlled where gates leading onto public highways remain
open even for a portion of the time unless by stationing
at each entrance a guardian acting, like Clerk Maxwell's
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
Acadia National Park
Bar Harbor, Maine.
John D. Rockefeller, Jr , Page 2.
hypothetical demon, admitting through his wicket certain
atoms from an impinging stream and closing it to others.
Thinking the matter over, it has occurred to me
that gates might be set at the various horse road
entrances from the highway that would not close them
completely but let riders through, keys being given to
the relatively few who drive, or the stablemen who let
out teams for driving, on their assuming responsibility
for the keys' safe-keeping and use only in right hands.
None of the summer residents at Bar Harbor I am
told keep stables now or horses and equipment for driv-
ing and I doubt if there has been any driving over the
horse roads lately from this section. The case, I
imagine, may be different on your side, but all there
who keep horses would be glad to cooperate unquestion-
ably in guarding these roads from motors.
Yours sincerely,
Sgd:
GEORGE B. DORR
Superintendent.
GBD-M
Rockefeller Center
copy from sunt Redect to
New York
My cause
hor21
Room 5600
30 Rockefeller Plaza
November 19, 1935
Dear Mr. Dorr:
Your letter of November 13th is received. While
it is, of course, proper that a copy of this map, which
has become a matter of record between the Secretary of
the Interior and myself, should be lodged with you as
Superintendent of Acadia National Park, I agree with you
that the interests of the Park will best be served by
the map being regarded as a private document, as well
as any correspondence which accompanies it, until some
situation develops which makes it seem necessary and
desirable to have it given even limited publicity. In
lodging with Mr. Serenus Rodick all this material you
have insured in the best possible way just the result
that you and I are in agreement should be sought.
Very sincerely,
John a Rocking
Mr. George B. Dorr, Superintendent
Acadia National Park
Bar Harbor, Maine
UNITED STATES
C
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
O
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
P
Y
Acadia National Park
Bar Harbor, Maine.
November 18, 1935.
Memorandum for Mr. Dorr:
In accordance with your request I have made a care-
ful check of the number of "WORK CAR" signs in possession
of employees and officials of the Park. The signs are
in the possession of the following:
George B. Dorr, Park Superintendent
1
Orient Y. Thompson, Park Ranger,
1
Park Office
1
W. G. Hill, Supt. 154th C.C.C.
3
These si ns are used only when it is necessary for a Park
official to use the carriage roads on legitimate business.
Mr. Thompson enters the roads for purposes of game
protection.
The sign at the Park office is used only when the
Director of the National Park Service, or other recognized
official from Washington, is in the Park on an inspection
trip. It has been used once the past season.
Mr. Hill has used his three signs only during the
recent blister rust pruning project in the Amphitheater,
when three trucks were needed to transport the crews.
There is no indiscriminate use made of these signs.
B. L. Hadley,
Assistant Superintendent.
THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
SOUTHWEST HARBOR
MAINE
Alton H. Trundy
Abram W. Harris, Jr.
C.W. Marion
Secretary Treasurer
President
Vice-President
December 5.1935
Ur. George 3. Dorr,
Bar Earbor aine.
My dear Mr. Dorr,-
On Tuesday, December ten, the Southwest Marbor Chamber
of Commerce will hold it's annual dinner and meeting in the
cdd Tellow's building in Southwest Tarborgat six-thirty in the
evening.
The directors of the Chamber have asked me to extend
to you a cardial invitation to be present, as our guest.
If hossible, won't you advise us ac to whether or not
you can give us the Pleasure of your company at the time
mentioned? I trust T do not need to sar that your absence
will be a distinct loss to us all.
Cordially yours,
Abram Harris Jr. fr.
The Old Corner Book Store
"The book center of New England since 1828"
50 Bromfield Street, Boston
Important
Branch Stores: Hotel Statler, Boston, and 1346 Beacon Street at Coolidge Corner, Brookline
New England
Books of 1935
TEACH
December 16th,1935.
Mr. George B. Dorr,
National Park Service,
Acadia National Park,
Bar Harbor, Maine.
Dear Mr. Dorr:
Thank you for your order of December 14th.
We are sending you to-day a copy of ENGLAND
SPEAKS, and are ordering from the publishers
and will send shortly a copy of MAZZINI by Barr
and DESERTS ON THE MARCH, by Sears.
We will try secure the information requested
regarding THE FEDERALIST PARTY IN MASSACHUSETTS
and advise you later.
Very truly yours,
wasilfent
THE OLD CORNER BOOK STORE.
WAG.
BT
RACHER
C
o
P
Y
THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR
Washington
December 21, 1935.
copy
Mr. John D. Rockefeller, Jr., ,
Rockefeller Center,
New York City.
Dear Mr. Rockefeller:
In Secretary Ickes' absence, I have
received your letter of December 5, referring to twenty-
five deeds, executed by yourself, proposing to convey cer-
tain lands to the United States as additions to Acadia
National Park, and asking whether you should forward other
deeds and abstracts to this Department before the title
to these lands has been examined by the Solicitor and the
deeds accepted.
Your kind consideration of the over-burdened condition
of this Department is appreciated. It is hoped that the
examination of the remaining deeds and abstracts, which
you have submitted, will soon be completed. It is suggested,
therefore, that you submit your additional deeds and abstracts
as soon as they are prepared because this will place them
in line for examination by the Solicitor's office sooner
than with-holding them until all of your other deeds are
accepted.
The Department is grateful for your generous cooperation.
Sincerely yours,
(signed) Charles West
Acting Secretary of the Interior
cc Supt. Acadia National Park
Mr. Brooks
Page I of3
C
UNITED STATES
O
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
P
Y
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
ACADIA NATIONAL PARK
BAR HARBOR, MAINE
December 30, 1935
[Radick]
Dear Serenus,
I have been interested from the beginning in
Mr. Rockefeller's plan for the extension of his
horse-road system into the Bar Harbor area, in-
corporating into it my old Hemlock Road along the
mountain foot with its primeval trees, unique upon
the Island now except for the similar group at the
northern foot of Newport Mountain where Bear Brook
comes down, to a hitching ground at Sieur de Monts
Spring, and thence to the summit of Great Meadow
Hill, with its wide, sweeping views, to terminate.
When the suggestion of taking it there was
made five years ago, I showed Mr. Olmsted, skep-
tical at first as to the possibility of reaching
it with easy grade, how -- and how alone -- it
could be done, starting from the wooded valley
beyond the meadow to the north whose trees escaped
the fire that, starting on the meadow, swept the
whole ridge else back in the eighteen-eighties;
and rising thence along a hunters' trail of early
days with which I was familiar.
With the Park road on the meadow level, the
only way to reach this starting point and keep the
horse-road system separate was by circling the long
slope that bounds the meadow on the south, under-
passing on it three successive motor roads two
town roads and the intended Park road -- and ex-
cavating valleys where none exist to obtain the
necessary depth for underpassing; and then by cutting
out a way along the rocky hillside to the east, above
the town road, to the starting point -- a circuitous
and costly route.
Thinking over how the change of the Park road
to the town road's higher level, the Town consenting,
would affect this plan, there came into my mind a path
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
ACADIA NATIONAL PARK
BAR HARBOR, MAINE
Page 2.
I planned many years ago, and built in part, from
north to south across the meadow's eastern edge
leading toward the Gorge and Spring alongside a
channel that I dug to take the water from the Tarn
and keep it separate from the winding brook across
the open meadow that takes the water from the Spring.
This path, laid out with reference to the beauty of
the view approaching from Bar Harbor, extends in
direct course to where the hitching ground for
horses is proposed among the old maple trees bor-
dering the Spring area and reached from the Hemlock
Road. Going north, in the reverse direction, the
line of the intended path heads directly into the
high earth bank along whose top, with a steep drop
of twenty feet or more to the meadow level, the town
road runs as it makes its turn toward the south,
providing the best opportunity that could be asked
for an underpass, leading straight to the starting
point for the ascent to the hill.
When the thought came to me, I took the Federal
Bureau of Roads engineer, Mr. Grossman, out and showed
him the opportunity as I saw it. He acclaimed it at
once as a solution of the problem that would eliminate
all difficulties the former route presented, halve the
distance to be travelled from the Spring to the start-
ing point for the ascent, and, built at little cost
across the level margin of the meadow, would save,
he thought at first conjecture, some seventy-five or
eighty thousand dollars at a minimum over the route
that would be necessary with the motor road built
upon the meadow level with the town road above.
Should the Town consent to turn over to the
Park its Harden Farm road from the old Harden Farm
entrance on, this opportunity will be provided, but
before any suggestion gets abroad of Mr. Rockefeller's
intention to continue with his plan if he does so
intend -- for reaching the summit of Great Meadow Hill,
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
ACADIA NATIONAL PARK
BAR HARBOR, MAINE
Page 3.
it would be wise that arrangement be made to acquire
from Martin Roberts' heirs the tract they own upon
the hill.
The line between the property upon Great Meadow
Hill which Mr. Rockefeller took over from me and this
Roberts land lies directly along the course which any
road to the summit must needs follow. Would it not
be well to take the matter up with Mr. Rockefeller?
Yours sincerely,
(Sgd)
GEORGE B. DORR.
Mr. Serenus B. Rodick,
Bar Harbor, Maine.
936
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
ACADIA NATIONAL PARK
BAR HARBOR, MAINE
January 7, 1936.
Dear Mr. Stupka:
I write this line to thank you for
your interesting gift of a paper cutter, composite
of the regional hard woods, which came as a
pleasant greeting of the Christmas season.
I trust that all is going
well with you in your new field of work
and am
Yours sincerely,
GBD-0
Mr. Arthur Stupka,
Park Naturalist,
Great Smokies National Park,
Gatlenburg, Tenn.
INTRODUCTION
This report begins where the 1933 Report left
off, (September 11, 1933) and discusses a period of time extending over
15g months or to the aloso of December, 1934. Reference should be made
to the 1932 and 1933 Ranger-lieturalist's Reports for detailed information
of the earlier endeavors of the nature-guide service.
luch credit for whatever success has been enjoyed goes to Mrs. Arthur
Stupka for hor constant assistance with various phases of the work.
Section VII serves to show, in brief, some of her accomplishmente.
Credit
is also due to Superintondont George B. Dorr through whose influence
a room in the basement of the Jesup Menorial Library became the temporary
museum and Park Naturalist's headquarters beginning November 24, 1935.
To date this remaine the nature-guide headquarters.
To is. Vernon lami goes considerable credit for the donation of many
specimens of the local faune.
To Dr. A. 8. Brower of the Maine Forest Service oredit is likewise
due for cooperation and for the donation of several splendid insect
exhibits.
Dr. M. 4 Branin of John Carroll University, Cleveland, and Theodore
Savioh, Chicago, served in the capacity of ranger-naturalist and temporary
compground ranger, respectively, during the sumer season of 1934, and the
high quality of service which they rendered deserves praise.
engineer
It may here be stated that Dr. Byanin became the first paid assistant
which the Park Naturalist had. 130 served from July 1 to September 25,
1934. Although his status was that of temporary ranger, he in reality
served in the capacity of ranger-naturalist.
The rangeressuralist, Arthur Strupke, who started the nature guide
work in June, 1932, and who was recalled. on May 1, 1933, became acting
junior park naturalist in August, 1933. A Civil Service examination for
the position was hold early in October, 1933, and on June 1, 1936, the
acting park naturalist because junior park naturalist under Civil Service.
This was the first junior park naturalist position created in a national
park east of the Missiesippi River.
A now Chevrolet two-door sedan, received by Acadia National Park on
Juno 6. 1934, was immediately put into uso as the park naturalist's car
for his official duties.
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
WASHINGTON
January 18, 1936.
The Superintendent,
Acadia National Park,
Bar Harbor, Maine.
Dear Mr. Dorr:
PTA funds have been made available "ith which to make a. beginning
in filling Acadia museum needs. $4,500 has been allotted for use in
develoging your plans and progress.
I expect to have opportunity to talk with Mr. Sullivan, your New
park naturalist, sometime soone but since he is not intimately ac-
quainted with your problems I hope to have your advice.
After talking with it. B. L. Hadley I conclude that some assistant
curator should be employed to work with Mr. Sullivan in drafting a plan
for the large central museum which you propose to build. This assistant
curator should be a local man who is familiar ith the natural history
of the Acadia region. His salary should be $1.00 per annum, I presune.
Te are not free to appoint men who are known to be especially
desirable but are limited in our choice by the eligible list submitted
to us by the Secretary of the Interior. If you know a prospective
appointee for this osition please ask him to make application for
employment to the Secretary of the Interior. Wen we request a list
of eligibles we will hope that your local man is certified. Mr. Hadley
is supplied -ith a PWL a emplication form upon which the rroposed appointee
will eke re uest for em loyment.
The balance of your allotment probably should be expended in
preparing graphic devices, labels and other exhibit items that will be
specified by Mr. Sullivan and his assistant for use in existing and
proposed museums in your park. This preparation work will be done by
staff members already employed at our Field Laboratories, Morristown,
N.J. Your allotment will be drawn u on to pay the salary of one or more
of these epcointees.
to
I shall be pleased to have your advice regarding the proposed
em loyment of a curator, and your excression as to what you regard
to be an adequate museum program for Acadia. I understand that
there is a prospect of obtaining funds very soon :ith which to
launch an adequate program.
If I may have your reply prior to the arrival of Mr. Sullivan
I shall be especially grateful.
Sincerely yours,
C. P. Russell,
Chief, Museum Division.
CC Dr. Bryant
Mr. Vint
Copy
for
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
WASHINGTON
January 18, 1936.
The Superintendent,
Acadia National Park,
Bar Harbor, Maine.
Dear Mr. Dorr:
PWA funds have been made available with which to make a beginning
in filling Acadia museum needs. $4,500 has been allotted for use in
developing your plans and progress.
I expect to have opportunity to talk with Mr. Sullivan, your new
park naturalist, some time soon but since he is not intimately ac-
quainted with your problems I hope to have your advice.
After talking with Mr. B. L. Hadley I conclude that some assistant
curator should be employed to work with Mr. Sullivan in drafting a
plan for the large central museum which you propose to build. This
assistant curator should be a local man who is familiar with the natural
history of the Acadia region. His salary should be $1800 per annum,
I presume.
We are not free to appoint men who are known to be especially
desirable but are limited in our choice by the eligible list submitted
to us by the Secretary of the Interior. If you know a prospective
appointee for this position please ask him to make application for
employment to the Secretary of the Interior. When we request a list
of eligibles we will hope that your local man is certified. Mr. Hadley
is supplied with a PWA application form upon which the proposed
appointee will make request for employment.
The balance of your allotment probably should be expended in
preparing graphic devices, labels and other exhibit items that will
be specified by Mr. Sullivan and his assistant for use in existing and
proposed museums in your park. This preparation work will be done by
staff members already employed at our Field Laboratories, Morristown,
N.J. Your allotment will be drawn upon to pay the salary of one or
more of these appointees.
I shall be pleased to have your advice regarding the proposed
employment of a curator, and your expression as to what you regard
to be an adequate museum program for Acadia. I understand that there
is a prospect of obtaining funds very soon with which to launch an
adequate program.
If I may have your reply prior to the arrival of Mr. Sullivan I
shall be especially grateful.
Sincerely yours,
(Signed) C. P. RUSSELL
CC Dr. Bryant
Chief, Museum Division.
Mr. Vint
2
The Ritz-Carlton
Boston, Massachusetts
Cable Address
Telephone
RIZCARLTON,BOSTON
KENMORE 5700
Overlooking one of the World's
most beautiful parks.the Public Garden
January 20, 1936.
Mr. Paul D. Simpson,
Seal Harbor, Maine.
Dear Mr. Simpson:-
Four or five years ago Miss Sturges desired to buy a
piece of land from me immediately back of her mother's house on Eden
Street. I offered to exchange the piece of land she wanted for land on
the slope which I owned above her house. She declined to trade. Miss
Sturges has since died, also her mother. Her brother, Rush Sturges, now
owns the property. I understand he wants to sell it. It occurs to me
that I might write him and see if he would make the trade which I sugges-
ted to his sister. I am sending you herewith the tracing which you sent
me at the time, with, I think, with your letter of June 2nd, 1930. Please
therefrom make me a tracing which I could send Mr. Sturges, and which
would give clearly the facts which he would need to know.
In writing Miss Sturges on August 19th, 1930 describing
the tracing which I sent her with my letter, I said;
"The area surrounded by the red line I take it is the property
you would like. The area surrounded by the blue line rectangular
at the left end sharply pointed at the right would be the natural
boundary line for my property to the north. The dotted line
within the blue enclosure indicates approximately the top of the
slope of the rather steep hill which occurs on that side of your
property. The dotted line below the blue enclosure indicates
approximately the foot of the slope. You will see, therefore,
that roughly speaking the blue bound tract would bring my proper-
ty to the edge of the declevity which seems a natural boundary.
Please send the tracing in duplicate to me at the above
address, on receipt of which I will at once communicate with Mr. Sturges.
John Very D. truly, Thompson
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Y
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
GATLINBURG, TENNESSEE
January 24, 1936
Mr. B.L. Hadley,
Assistant Superintendent,
Acadia National Park,
Bar Harbor, Maine.
Dear Mr. Hadley:
I was delighted to learn, upon receipt of your recent let-
ter, that a sum of $4,500 is to be expended in work preparatory
to construction of the Acadia National Park museum building. As
you stated, Mr. Wendall Hadlock is your man for the Islesford
Historical Museum when that building comes under the wing of the
Park Service, but he is not the man to assist Sullivan in plans
preliminary to construction of the natural history museum. Had-
lock is a keen student of your local history who, next to Dr.
Sawtelle, knows by far the most about the Islesford collection.
By all means there should be a place for him as Park Historian.
He delivers a fine lecture, has a pleasing personality, and is
greatly interested in furthering the historical research of Aca-
dia - all are admirable qualifications for the position.
As to Mr. Paul Favour of Bowdoin College, Brunswick, Maine,
I likewise feel that he is not the man to be assigned to the job
of museum planning. Mr. Favour, as a Student Enrollee, practi-
cally did the work which would have been assigned to a Ranger-
Naturalist in Acadia last summer, and he did it well; I would rec-
ommend that he be considered for the position of Ranger-Naturalist
this coming summer to assist Sullivan in the regular intensive
summer program. He has had no training in museum planning - that
job should go to still another individual, but I am sorry I have
no one to recommend. If Dr. Russell has no one for this assignment
you might do well to write to The American Museum of Natural His-
tory, 77th Street and Central Park West, New York City, N.Y. In
so doing I would recommend you state that the exhibits which will
make up the story of Acadia are primarily of marine fauna and ge-
ology, and therefore the services of a: person whose museum train-
ing is along those lines would be most desirable. In the long
run it will be better to hire an expert for a shorter time than a
less experienced man for several months.
Mr. B.L. Hadley,
January 24,
Page #2
In my last annual report of the naturalist service in
Acadia - one copy in my former library office in Bar Harbor
(or did I hand it in to Mr. Nowack) and another in the hands
of Dr. H.C. Bryant - there is a list (pp. 24 - 27) of a num-
ber of exhibits which I feel should be considered in planning
the museum. Other museum items are also discussed in that
section of the report, and whoever is chosen to do the prelim-
inary museum planning should refer to that write-up.
I will be glad to keep in tlose touch with this and all
other phases of the educational program in Acadia. Acquisition
of the Islesford museum and construction of a natural history
museum building are undertakings of prime importance. You have
my best wishes for a realization of both.
Yours very sincerely,
arthur
t
Arthur Stupka,
cc Dr. Russell
Park Naturalist.
Dr. Bryant
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
ACADIA NATIONAL PARK
BAR HARBOR, MAINE
January 25, 1936.
Mr. C. P. Russell, Chief,
Museum Division,
National Park Service,
Washington, D.C.
Dear Mr. Russell:
I have received with great pleasure
your letter concerning the Museum. I have long been
deeply interested in the thought of 1+. and have a won-
derful site chosen, to which Mr. Vint has given his ap-
proval, alongside the Park road, the survey for which is
in process, which will connect for all time out highest
mountain summit with the ocean front, where all who visit
the Park must pass.
Surrounded by the ocean, with a twelve-foot sweep of
tide along a sunkon coast whose hilltops have turned to
islands and atream valleys to deeply-penetrating bays
and estuaries, we have a wonderful opportunity to tell,
with the wealth of marine forms wehave at hand the whole
history, so far as man yet knows it, of life's develop
ment -- from the early ocean-dwelling protozoa on -
from the amoeba to the vertebrate; and I hope that in this,
which, presented rightly, cannot but arouse great interest,
you may concur with me in planning to give it a front
place in the life story our Museum shall tell, supplemented with
tidal pools and biologic trips along the shore and over off-
shore waters.
All that can be done in the way of preliminary study
under the initial appropriation of 4,500, of which your
letter tells, will be done, but what I count on and shall
look forward to is your own coming here next spring to
study our opportunity at first hand and make us a good
visit.
I,
We have had no word as yet from Mr. Sullivan but he
yours
should turn up soon. Mr. Hadley, our assistant superin-
nieid
tendent, has in mind for Mr. Sullivan's assistant a young
keish
biologist, just finishing his course at Bowdoin College,
who has twice made vacation trips to Labrador in pursuance of
his aim and whose work with our former Park Naturalist,
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
ACADIA NATIONAL PARK
BAR HARBOR, MAINE
2.
Mr. Stupka, last year was thought highly of.
The Park lies at a point upon our coast where
far northern and temperate regional forms of life,
both fauna and flora, meet; and it lies along the
ancient coast migration route of birds, of which such
wonderful accounts come down to us from the early
settlers and explorers.
This gives it an unusually wide range of life in
different latitudes for exhibitinn and brings up for
study, as Professor Fernald of Harvard and others in
our New England field have shown, deeply interesting ques-
tions of localized survivals along the coast, from Labra-
from
dor south, /pre-glacial period.
of
I do not think a better spot could be found for
a broad and comprehensive study of the plant life history
especially along our eastern coast.
Yours sincerely,
GBD-0
George B.Dorr
Superintendent
1936/1935
The Ritz-Carlton
Boston, Massachusetts
Cable Address
Telephone
RIZCARLTON BOSTON
KENMORE 5700
Overlooking one of the World's
most beautiful parks. the Public Garden
January 27, 1936.
Mr. George B. Dorr,
Bar Harbor, Maine.
Dear Mr. Dorr:-
As a result of the letter which I wrote you on October
23rd last in regard to the issuance by the Park of work car signs per-
mitting automobiles to traverse the horse roads, you sent me with your
letter of November 18th a memorandum to you of that date from Mr. Hadley
in regard to the matter. This memorandum did not cover all of the ques-
tions that were in my mind, and I, therefore, ventured to write Mr.
Hadley direct. After conference with you, Mr. Hadley has written me
under date of January 24th giving the information I asked insofar as he
was able. When Mr. Ralston returns to Maine, early in March, I will
send him this correspondence and ask him to talk the matter over with
Mr. Hadley
Thompson 90 that there may be a common program in the issuance and
use of these work car signs.
While the Park office has evidently sought fully to
guard the use of these signs, and has been completely conscientious in
the matter, the situation is such that only as Mr. Hadley and Mr.
Ralston keep closely in touch will the best results be obtained.
The correspondence with you and Mr. Hadley calls atten-
tion to the fact that the horse roads have been used in connection with
use to prevent poaching and in distributing fish to the various waters
on the Island. That I may not lose my standing or rights with the Gov-
ernment so far as the protection of the horse roads is concerned by
seeming to acquiesce in the use of these roads for these two purposes,
which were not intended or covered by my agreement with the Park, I am
as a matter of record entering this informal protest against such use.
The phraseology of the agreement as quoted in my letter to you of Octo-
ber 23, '35 is the following:
"The horse roads now in existence, and any hereafter constructed on the
land herein conveyed, will be opened only to the use of horses, horse
drawn vehicles and pedestrians, and not for motor traffic
ex-
cept for general road and roadside maintenance, repair and construction
purposes, fire-fighting and in case of accident."
Very sincerely,
Join
The Ritz-Carlton
Boston, Massachusetts
Cable Address
Telephone
RIZCARLTON. BOSTON
KENMORE 5700
Overlooking one of the World's
most beautiful parks, the Public Garden
January 27, 1936.
Mr. George B. Dorr,
Bar Harbor, Maine.
Dear Mr. Dorry-
As I tried to make it clear in the letter I have just
written you, I am not protesting at the use of the horse roads by
Park official motors to prevent poaching or to distribute fish to
the various Park waters, at the same time I am not approving of such
use or surrendering my rights under my agreement with the Government.
I am making this friendly protest simply to protect my rights and not
to establish a precedent of acquiescence which would prevent my seek-
ing to enforce my rights at any time I might so desire. My attitude
is an entirely friendly one, and not one of criticism or complaint.
All I am seeking to do is to preserve my right so that I will be in
a position to ask you to observe it in these two respects if and when
I should feel that it was in the interest of the general- situation for
me so to do.
I sincerely hope that I have made my position perfectly
clear, and am relying on your confidence in me not to allow you to mis-
understand what I have said.
Very sincerely,
John I Cocking
Also on Ritz Carlton (Boston) paper
copy
Boston, Massachusetts, January 27, 1936.
Mr. George B. Dorr,
Bar Harbor, Maine.
Dear Mr. Dorr:
As I tried to make it clear in the letter
I have just written you, I am not protesting at the use
of the horse roads by Park official motors to prevent
poaching or to distribute fish to the various Park waters;
at the time I am not approving of such use or surrendering
my rights under my agreement with the Government. I am
making this friendly protest simply to protect my rights
and ot to establish a precedent of acquiescence which would
prevent my seeking to enforce my rights at any time I
might so desire. My attitude is an entirely friendly one, and
not one of criticism or complaint. All I am seeking to
do is to preserve my right so that I will be a position to
ask you to observe 1t inthese tow respects if and when I
should feel that it was in the interest of the general
situation for me so to do.
I sincerely hope that I have made my position
perfectly clear, and am relying on your confidence in
me not to allow you to misunderstand what I have said.
Yours sincerely
(signed) John D. Rockefeller, Jr
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
WASHINGTON
February 7, 1936.
The Superintendent,
Acadia National Park,
Bar Harbor, Maine.
Dear Mr. Dorr:
I greatly appreciate your cordial invitation to visit Acadia
and you may rest assured I shall make the trip at the first
opportunity given me. Some days ago I enjoyed a visit with Mr.
Hadley and more recently I talked with Mr. Sullivan who is on
his way to Bar Harbar. I trust that Mr. Sullivan will identify
the proposed Public Works employee and that we may find this
proposed employee on the Secretary's eligible list. It is of
course necessary that we make selection from the lists of appli-
cants who are certified by the Secretary of the Interior.
As I have told Mr. Sullivan I believe we should make every
effort to establish a secure working plan for the permanent
museum of biology which will eventually be built at Acadia.
I shall depend upon you and Mr. Sullivan to keep me informed
regarding your needs and you may depend upon us to give full
cooperation in spending the Public Works allotment now available
to the Acadia Museum Project.
I trust Mr. Sullivan will supply me with his proposed plan
of action as seon as he has reached a good understanding with you
and Mr. Hadley.
Sincerely yours,
C. P. Russell,
Chief, Museum Division.
CC Dr. Bryant
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
ACADIA NATIONAL PARK
BAR HARBOR, MAINE
February 14, 1936.
Dear Judge Pineo:
I was glad to hear from you and am
much interested in t he matter you bring forward: con-
neeting Bar Island with the Bar Harbor shore by a motor
causeway. It has great possibilities.
Mr. Torrey had already said something to me about
the matter as a plan to be discussed at a hearing in he
spring. His interest centers on steadying the waters
of the bay above the bar as a harbor for yachts. My
interest lies rather in the extended shore-line and the
beauty of the views one gets from the island. The
dangers are: first, the impairment of a beautiful feature
in the Ber Harbor landscape if much building -- or any build-
ing of the wrong sort -- should follow; second, if a cause-
way should be built, according to Mr. Torrey's plan, lest
essentially important tidal scouring of both harbors --
above and below the bar -- which now takes place should
be checked.
The waters above the bar form a circling, practically
land-locked basin now when the tide is out and receives,
and must always receive, a great discharge of sewage
from all that neighboring shore, while the waters are
contaminated on either side of the bar by the visiting
yachts in summer-time, which only a strong tidal scouring
can overcome.
The connection of Bar Island with Sheep Porcupine
is an interesting thought but you do not tell me what is
in your mind as to its purpose. Both islands are wonder-
fully placed for views and are great landscape features
also, both from the mountains and the sea.
I understand your thought to be, as Mr. Torrey's
also, that Federal funds for the development might be
obtained. This in turn may hinge upon the issue of the
1936 campaign.
With kind regards, I am
Sincerely yours,
GBD-0
Peterson
2501 Calvert St. N.W.
Washington, D. C.
February 17, 1936
Dear Mr. Dorr:
Thank you for your letter of Januqary 13 about the pictures
of the parking areas. They came later with a note from Miss Oakes
and they are just what I wanted.
My itinerary in europe was: Plymouth, Bath, Broadway, chip-
ping Campden, Stratford- on- Avon, London, Peterborough, Lincoln,
York, Durham, Edinborough, Blairgowrie (Perthshire), Oxford, can-
terbury, Cambridge, Amsterdam, Hamburg, Malmo, Stockholm, Copen-
hagen, Berlin, Cologne, Paris, versailles, Chartres, and Cherbourg.
In some ways the trip was more hurried than I would have liked
it, but there was time for a month in the British Isles, and a
month on the Continent. Taking fast boats- the Ile de France going
over and the Bremen coming back- I was able to get in a great deal
before getting home for christmas.
The season of the year and the unfavorable rate of exchange
seemed to have closed off the regular American tourist trade, and
I did not meet another of that description. I found that if one
likes the Europeans and is interested in what they are doing, they
will take you in and treat you as if you were one of the family.
Without knowing many people there in advance, I was well received
and entertained everywhere.
Even the smallest villages have enough of interest in them
to keep an architect busy for a year. I would like to go back and
spend a summer sketching.
England and Sweden were the most interesting to me. England
because of its relation to American history and art, and Sweden
because of my family connection, and because of the advanced state
architecture and the interest of its mediaeval crafts.
Germany I did not find as bad as our anti-Nazi press would
have it. It seems to me after having heard the other side of their
story that many of the drastic moves made by their government may
well have been justified. Certainly they have had a hard time keep-
ing their heads above water. The notorious gaiety of post-war
Berlin is now a thing of the past, and the sober attitude of the
man on the street is notable.
in the 20's
of the 40,000 Americans in Paris after the War/only 3,000
remain. the cost of the franc has done that. To me Paris is the
most beautiful city I have ever seen, with stockholm co ming along
next, and Washington third.
All in all, I had a delightful as well as instructive ex-
perience, and would welcome a chance to go right back for a couple
of years.
2.
The Forest Service job about which I wrote you fell through
while I was away, in spite of the assurances which made it seem
like a sure thing. Right now I am marking time waiting for the
special Park Service assignment which I am going to take up next.
I am getting an opportunity to do some writing which will help
me professionally. I have never had any time to myself yet but
what there was not some highly valuable way of storing up for the
future.
I did not see Mr. Hadley when he was down here; when I in-
quired about him they said he had gone back to Acadia.
I hope this letter finds you in good health and spirits.
we have been having a good old-fashioned winter here, and I imagine
you are getting the same thing in big doses.
With best wishes, I am
Sincerely yours,
Charles E. Peterson
PS. Have first read that John Quiney adams
as a young wan sheet six week us Stockboles
and wrote that he befored Sweden to any
store country he had yet found in Enrobe.
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
ACADIA NATIONAL PARK
BAR HARBOR, MAINE
March 17, 1936.
Old Corner Bookstore,
Boston, Mass.
Dear Sirs:
GBD
I note in the New York Sunday Times (March 15) an
editorial article entitled "Socrates at Cambridge",
yerd
mention of an article by Daniel Gregory Mason, "Harvard
in the Nineties" in the New England Quarterly which refers
ny
to Josiah Royce, the philosopher and others of his time.
The writer in the Times does not refer to the
date of this issue of the New England Quarterly but I
would assume it to be the current, or latest number,
probably January.
Will you kindly look this up and obtain for
me the issue of the New England Quarterly in which this
article appears and mail it to me?
Yours sincerely,
George
3.Dou
GBD-0
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
Bar Harbor, Maine
April 15, 1936
The Old Corner Book Store,
Boston, Mass.
Gentlemen:
will you kindly send the following books, and
charge same to my account:
"The League of Nations and the Rule of Law,
1918-1935", by Alfred Zimmern.
"George Eliot", by Blenche Colton Williams.
"The Eve of 1914", by Theodor Wolff.
will you also kindly quote me on Richard H.
Dana's book, "Two Years Before the Mast," and
tell me what you have in the way of different
copies of this book.
Very truly yours,
George B. Dorr.
PARK SERVICE BULLETIN
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
WASHINGTON
Arno B. Cammerer,
Isabelle F. Story
Director.
Editor-in-Chief.
Mary C. Ryan, Bulletin Editor
April, 1936
Vol. VI
No. 3
NOT FOR PUBLICATION
PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT PLACES CORNERSTONE
FOR NEW INTERIOR BUILDING
On April 16 President Roosevelt in
sity of America, who offered the bene-
the presence of several thousand persons
diction. Music for the occasion was fur-
set in place the cornerstone for the
nished by the United States Marine Corps
new Interior Building, using the same
Band, and CCC enrollees acted as ushers.
trowel that George Washington used in
laying the cornerstone of the United
The new building, now being con-
States Capitol in 1793. This trowel
structed as a PWA project, represents
vas loaned by the Alexandria Washington
the first major Federal Government struc-
jodge Number 22, A. F. E A. M.
ture in Washington authorized, designed,
and constructed under the present admin-
In addition to President Roosevelt
istration. It will be a simple utili-
and Secretary Ickes, other speakers
tarian structure of large dimensions and
participating in the cornerstone exer-
so designed as to offer the maximum in
:ises, which began at 11:00 a. m. were
convenience and light for the 5,000 work-
;he Rev. Joseph R. Sizoo, D.D., pastor
ers it will accommodate. Occupying a
of the New York Avenue Presbyterian
ground area of 51/20 acres, extending from
hurch, who offered the invocation; Hon.
18th to 19th and E to C Streets, North-
rederic A. Delano, chairman of the
west, it will have one of the largest
lational Capital Park and Planning Com-
cafeterias in the Capital and a large
ission, who served as master of cere-
basement parking space for employees.
onies; and Rt. Rev. P. J. McCormick,
Waddy B. Wood of Washington is the archi-
acting rector of the Catholic Univer-
tect for the structure. A modern museum
...
TOTE: By direction of the Secretary of the Interior the matter contained herein
is published as administrative information and is required for the proper
transaction of public business.
-1-
Oredered on the 24th April GMO
The Old Corner Book Store
"The book center of New England since 1828"
50 Bromfield Street, Boston
Important
Branch Stores: Hotel Statler, Boston, and 1346 Beacon Street at Coolidge Corner, Brookline
New England
Books of 1935
April 17th, 1936.
OBLY
Mr. George B. Dorr,
National Park Service,
Bar Harbor, Maine.
Dear Mr. Dorr:
Thank you for your order of April 15th.
We are sending you t - day the three books request - -
ed.
We can supply from stock at the present time the
following editions of TWO YEARS BEFORE THE MAST,-
by Richard H. Dana, Jr.,-
David McKay edition, with eight colored places
by Charles Pears, green cloth binding, size
5 1/2 X 7 1/2 inches,
$1.00
In the Children's Classics, Introduction by
Sir Wilfred Grenfel, illustrations by Charles
Pears, size 5 1/2 inches X 7 1/2 inches,
green cloth binding,
$1.00
Riverside Bookshelf edition, Illustrations in
color, and black and white by E. Boyd Smith,
size 6 X 8 1/2 inches, black cloth binding
with gold lettering,
$2.00
We trust you will be able to make a selection
from the above editions.
Very truly yours
wasillest
BY
RACNER
THE OLD CORNER BOOK STORE.
Silas
WAG.
Crecken
Brown mountain Gateway Lodge
april 27, 1936
Dear Mr. Llow
Living at the Brown mountain Dateway
Lodge is such a pleasure I wish to thank
you for the privilege
The house is lovely, and I appreciate the
beautiful surroundings. Birds are plentiful
and the carriage roads make it quite lary
for me to take the baby out for fairings
while at the same time I can enjoy the
birde sguinels or whatever nature may
choose to offer.
l appreciate your having had the
house all cleaned before we moved ant here
and even the curtains up, 6 told Mauriel
when we came and found it all so nice
it didn't seem like moving into a strange
place, but juit like coming home)
Sincerely yours
Edith Sullivan
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
Acadia National Park
Bar Harbor, Maine
May 2, 1936.
Dear Mrs. Sullivan:
It gives me great pleasure that
you find yourself so pleasantly placed in the lodge
at Asticou. It is a very interesting building in
its architecture and construction and I hope, as
funds and labor opportunity may come along, to
create a real bird garden where birds can nest in
peace -- such peace as birds may have - and feed on
berry-bearing shrubs and seed-bearing plants such as
have occasionally been made abroad, making it a
true naturalist's home, planting a few apple trees
to attrect deer.
with appreciation of your letter and kind
regards, I am
Sincerely yours,
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
Acadia National Pork,
Bar Harbor, Maine,
May 26, 1936.
Old Corner Sools Store,
Reston, Mass.
Dear firs:
Some weeks ago my secretary wrote, agking
for a copy of the New England Magazine issued this
winter or spring, containing an article entitled
"Socrates at Harvard" a paper written by an old
pupil of Professor Josiah Royce, telling of him and
his COURSOL in philosophy at Harvard in the early
years of this century.
It has just occurred to me that I here not
received the paper. At the time I wrote I was able
to give, from some mention of it that I read, the
exact date but not it has gone from me and my
secretary kept no copy of the order, which was
addressed to you and duly mailed, she tells me.
Will you be so kind as to look up the article for
me in the New England Magazine and forward me the copy?
This magazine is a quarterly, as I recall it. The issue
containing the article should not be difficult to find
and you could easily ascertain it by communicating
with the publishers should you not find it readily.
Should there be any reason for delay in this matter,
will you kindly let me know about it?
Yours sincerely,
George B. Dorr
GBD-0
D64ET
to
MUSEUM REPORT
ACADIA NATIONAL PARK
May 1 to June 1, 1936
Exhibit Plan
There is nothing to report concerning our exhibit plan.
Equipment
The new glass museum aisle case has arrived, is assembled and in
use.
Also, our stereopticon has arrived, but the vouchers are being
held up because the lantern does not quite fit our needs, due probably
to the focal length of the lenses, because the machine seems to be in
perfect condition. Size of screen and projecting distances were care-
fully measured before ordering the machine, but there is a mistake
somewhere.
A Weston photographic exposure meter has been ordered per
instructions. Prices and descriptions on beaded screens are being
collected and reviewed, preparatory to ordering such a screen.
A metal case for storing study skins and fumigating mounted
specimens is still badly needed.
Collections
Study skins of Northern Yellowthroat, Woodland Jumping Mouse,
Ruby-throated Hummingbird and Leach's Petrel have been prepared.
A birch bark basket exhibit was prepared by Joseph Ranco, Penobscot
Indian, at my request. It consists of a completed basket or bucket,
old style, one partly assembled bucket and materials for a third. All
are the same size and tell the story of manufacture by illustrating the
various stages. Exhibit A shows the bark cut to shape, spruce roots
for sewing, a bone awl for punching holes, a hoop for the top and a
bail. Exhibit B shows the basket partly sewed and the hoop temporarily
pegged in with wooden pegs. The third is finished and decorated with
some scenes of his own choosing. Of course, the bark is used with the
brown side out, in true aboriginal style.
Eighteen mice and shrews have been trapped by Louis Fowler and
measured and preserved in formalin by myself.
-2-
Graphic Devices
Twenty-eight - lantern slides have been received and several others
are ordered for our supply here.
Several good pictures have been secured - a movie of birch bark
canoe manufacture and some others not yet printed.
Branch Museums
The Abbe Museum of Archeology has secured for the summer, the
services of Wendall Hadlock, for the past several years assistant to
Dr. Sawtelle, Historian at the Islesford Museum. Already we have
worked out some schemes for exhibits whereby we hope to reincarnate
some specimens and make them tell a story. He has also promised to
appear on our campfire programs.
Photographs of Buildings
The Abbe Museum has only recently opened and the Islesford Museum
is not yet open. Therefore, pictures have been impossible. One almost
needs an exposure meter for interiors, and I have been waiting for
mine to arrive.
Maurice Sullivan
Park Naturalist.
[See Museumfile for
additional Reports
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
Acadia National Park
Bar Harbor, Maine
June 11, 1936.
Mr. John S. Ames, Treasurer,
The Trustees of Public Reservations,
96 Ames Building,
Boston, Massachusetts.
Dear Mr. Amos:
Acknowledging the committee's letter with
regard to contribution to the work of the Trustees, I write
to say that I have now for many years regarded myself as
no longer an active or contributing member, my work in
Maine, of which state I long ago became a citizen, demanding
all that I can give to wild life and landscape conservation.
Yours sincerely,
George B. Dorr
GBD-0
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
Acadia National Park,
Bar Harbor, Maine,
July 12, 1936.
Dear William:
I have drawn out, these last two or three
years of all activities not connected with my National
Park work and the reviewing and editing of certain
oldtime papers I have long intended should sometime be publish-
ed.
It seems as though some younger man more
in contact with the present social life at Bar Harbor
would be better than one whose name would bothingme
and nothing more. But you are welcome to use my
name in your discretion if you think it appropriate
or might help.
With kindest regular to you and all,
believe me ever
Yours sincerely,
Colonel William Jay Schiefellin,
Tranquility Farm,
Ashville, Maine.
GBD-0
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
Acadia National Park
Bar Harbor, Maine
July 29, 1936.
Mr. Arno B. Cammerer, Director,
National Park Service,
Washington, D. C.
Dear Mr. Cammerer:
I have your telegram regarding the deed for the
lands I am to give, enabling construction to be made
of the road in replacement of the Town's Harden Farm
road and for the approach road toward Bar Harbor,
associated with it, and have telephoned Mr. Serenus
Rodick to arrange a meeting with him this forenoon to
review it.
These lands were gathered from various sources of
local ownership and obstacles of one kind or another
had to be overcome to acquire them, involving consider-
able study now in deeding to the Government.
I received a letter about this matter some weeks
since from Mr. Tolson in which he said that no contract
could bo let until all lands required for the road had
been deeded to the Government. In answering this, I
called to his and your attention the fact that Mr. Rocke-
feller also owns lands necessary, in continuation of mine,
for the road's construction, which though of less extent
are equally essential; so that deeds for these, too, must
be secured before contract can be let, when both could be
offered to the Government together.
In presenting the mattor to the Town, your letter,
addressed to it, to which I added my signature as super-
intendent, and the survey-map exhibiting the route con-
struction would follow were made a basic part of the Town's
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
ACADIA NATIONAL PARK
BAR HARBOR, MAINE
2.
action in the suprender of the road and I mode myself
personally as well as officielly responsible to the Town
that what was laid before it would be adhered to, both
in the and the survey.
The Intention at that time was that the whole
construction, so for as the Towns action wes involved,
should be included under a single contract. When
Vint was here in the spring he desired to have the survey
preliminery to contracting the further portionoof the road
left open till ho could return and moke some further
study in detail of this partion of the routo, without
altering the general line on which the action of the Town
was tellen, to be made the subject of a separate contract;
and to have the various bridges necessary over the entire
route made subject to a third contract.
I have wished to have the entire matter definitely
lined up so that there may be no POOM for difference in
view between the Town, the Service and myself as to what
will be done and had hoped to have Mr. Vint return in time
to complete his study prelininory to contrecting. If this
is not possible the assurence which I wrote Mrs. Tolson I
felt should be given in order to keep my position in the
matter clear will need to be Included as a condition in
the deed. This, which I have previously discussed with
Mr. Rodick, I will ask him now to proceed to do that we
may not need to wait for Mr. Vint's return.
CED-
Sincerely yours,
George B. Dors
Superintendent.
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
ACADIA NATIONAL PARK
BAR HARBOR, MAINE
August 1, 1936.
Dear Professor Perry:
I am mailing you under separate enclosure
your delightful book: Amd Gladly Teach, that it may receive
your autograph and come back to its place with other chosen
volumes in my library,
I have read it with great interest, for it deals with
people I have known and matters I have been curious about
which you tell of with resealing intimacy.
At the turn of the dentury and for some years after,
I was chairman of the Harvard Alumni Visiting Committee
on Philosophy and William James and Royce were intimate
friends. All this and much besides comes back to me
as I read your book.
Visualizing you against the background of the home
at Greensbaro, of which you tell so pleasantly, in its
wild, early charm, I am
Yours sincerely,
Professor 3liss Perty,
Greensbore, Vermont.
GBD-0
letter
penal nates sent taken from
copy
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
Branch of Plans and Design
Washington
August 25, 1936.
Mr. George B. Dorr,
Superintendent, Acadia National Park,
Bar Harbor, Maine.
Dear Sir:
I returned to the office Monday morning and gave
Acting Director Demaray a verbal summary of things I did
on my trip to Acadia National Park, and I think it wise
that I write you a summary of the important points, in
order to be sure that we are in agreement.
(1). The ncessary lands for the Kebo Mountain road
project belonging to both yourself and Mr. Rockefeller are
now being abstracted and deeds being prepared by Mr. Rodick.
It is expected that this will be accomplished wi thin a week
or ten days. On the strength of this statement Mr. Demaray
has authorized the Bureau of Public Roads to advertise the
project, having a statement in the adverti sement that the
project may be shortened to Station 56, if the title is
when?
not cleared by the United States beyond that point in
sufficient time. This action on Mr. Demaray's part will
expedite the date when construction can begin, and makes
it vitally important that the deeds be submitted as early
as possible. It is my understanding that you were going to
Exactly
deed, without restrictions, the lands you own adjacent to
what?
the road including the Bar Harbor approach road to the point
where it joins Ledgelawn Avenue extension near the two
brooks. Also that Mr. Rockefeller isto deed a strip
Incrime
of land 125 ft. wide along the abandoned Harden Farm Road
of sufficient length to include the work for this contract
ahead
(2).
The assurance that Mr. Hyde and myself gave you
that you can include in the ECW program a project to construct
a path along the Bar Harbor approach to the gorge beyond Sieur-
de-Monts Springs; also a nursery project in connection
with
what
the planting development along the Bar Harbor approach road has
the concurrence of Mr. Demaray as Acting Director.
(3). Mr. Hyde promised you the long-wanted power
shovel which he could transfer from another project in about
what for
a month's time.
2.
where
(4). Studies for a campground project in the vicinity
of Otter Creek will be undertaken imne diately by Mr. Breeze
with the hope that such a project can be set up for construction
this fall and winter, in order that some additionalcamping
space will be available for next S eason.
(5). Some preliminary work on the Otter Creek Causeway will
be done under the direction of Mr. Grossman, the Bureau of
Public Roads Engineer, and he will n otify the War Department
that the work has begun.
(6)
The survey for the Black Woods project which will
good
include the Otter Creek Causeway is underway and it is expected
that the survey and plans can be comple ted, in order that this
project can be advertised in the fall.
(7)
Mr. Lee and I have an appointment today with Mr. Huppoch
to review the Acadia Park extensi on project and to take up
the specific points Mr. Dow requested, and I will write you
the
outcome of this as soon as I have something definite to report.
I did not return to Washington until late Saturday and found
that Mr. Lee reached here the same day. Therefore, I am a
little later in being able to take up this question than I
anticipated when I last saw you.
The above summarizes the important points taken up
on my recent trip to your Park, and I should like to have a
note from you to know if your conclusions are the same as mine.
Sincerely yours,
Thos. C. Vint
Chie f Architect
Reviewed and Approved.
(signed) A. E. Demaray,
Acting Director.
The Eyrie
Seal Harbor, Maine
September 1, 1936
Dear Mr. Dorr:
You and I were speaking the other day of the
Stanley Brook Road and of its being taken over by the
Government. You were under the impression that the de-
lay in taking it over was due to the fact that the
Government had not yet passed on the deeds to the property.
I stated that I thought the Otter Cliffs Road was in the
same situation as regards the acceptance of the deeds, in
spite of which fact that road was taken over by the Govern-
ment in the early summer. My query was as to why in one
instance the Government had taken over the road and had not
in the other.
In looking over some recent letters I find in a
letter from Secretary Ickes to me under date of June 17th,
in which he is speaking of the Stanley Brook Road, the
following quotation:
"I am desirous of having this road taken over for
operation and maintenance as quickly as possible and will
turn your letter over to the National Park Service to have
this effected".
I am calling your attention to this quotation simply
for your information and not with any desire to hasten the
taking over of the road until you are ready to do so.
John Very sincerely,
Mr. George B. Dorr, Superintendent
Acadia National Park
Bar Harbor, Maine
THE
HANCOCK COUNTY
TRUSTEES OF
PUBLIC RESERVATIONS
4
I
Note: 31-page pamplet indeedes a
An Historical Sketch
(1) list of Incorporators
and a Record of the Holdings
of the Trustees
(2) officers
(3) members and dates of joining
1901-1938
(4) Samuel A. Eliot's historical
sketch, written 9/10/1936.
(5) a record of the derivation
and transfer of Trustees
1
holdings.
(6) a map
Bar Harbor, Maine
R.H.E.
1939
Mr. Melcher then deeded the property to the Trustees.
30
"They started something', which has already
The movement thus started steadily gathered headway. It is not possible
gone from the coast of Maine to the Shenandoah
to mention all the gifts for no less than 129 separate transactions were re-
corded. They varied in size and importance from an acre or two to preserve
Valley; over the Great Smokies; as far west as Cali-
a glen or brookside or some favorite point of view to large tracts of wild
fornia, and is now calling for a dominion of two
land. There were a score or more of deals with the Water Companies with a
thousand square miles in my home state-the so-
view to protecting the purity of Eagle Lake and Jordan's and Hadlock's Ponds.
called Land of Flowers. For my part, I can recall
In 1909 Mr. John S. Kennedy gave 138 acres on Pickett (Huguenot Head)
and 50 acres on the north ridge of Newport (Champlain), while Mr. and Mrs.
influence
no such triumphant march of an idea (whether
John I. Kane and Mr. and Mrs. I. W. Bridgham transferred to the Trustees
good or bad) in the history of this country since the
the title to 467 acres including the south slope of Kebo and part of the
Armistice.'
Gorge. Then 1000 acres were acquired on the north ridge of Green (Cadil-
-EDWARD P. MOSES
lac) and Mr. and Mrs. William H. Bliss gave 210 acres on the south ridge
45mmp.
of Newport (Champlain). Title was taken to 30 acres at the Sieur de Monts
Extract from a letter, dated Dec. 29, 1933, to the Secretary
Spring and that locality, with the Abbe Museum later established there. has
become a place of resort on the Island second only to the summit of Cadillac.
of the Hancock County Trustees of Public Reservations from
In 1917 Mrs. George G. Hayward conveyed to the Trustees 190 acres on the
Mr. Edward P. Moses, Chapel Hill, N. C., historian of the
western side of Sargent Mountain with a "corridor" running down to the
Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Sound and the holdings of the Trustees on the western half of the Island
were begun by the gift by Dean William Draper Lewis and Mr. Charlton Yar-
nall of 100 acres at Valley Cove. Title was taken soon after to tracts on the
east side of Long Pond, at Seal Cove Pond and on the western slope of
A BRIEF RECORD OF THE ORIGIN AND ACTIVITIES
Robinson (Acadia) Mountain.
OF THE HANCOCK COUNTY TRUSTEES OF PUBLIC RESERVATIONS
In 1919 Mr. John D. Rockefeller, Jr., began his benefactions by the gift
For thirty-five years the residents of Mount Desert Island, the summer
to the Trustees of Beech Hill and the cliff on the western shore of Echo
visitors there and the tourists who traverse the roads and trails, have profited
Lake. He has since purchased a number of tracts of wild land some of
by the disinterested and unassuming activities of a company of citizens associ-
which he has deeded to the Trustees, or later to the Park, and some he holds
ated in an endeaver to preserve for public enjoyment and scenic and historic
and administers with a generous regard to the public interests. Over these
sites of Mount Desert. The origins and achievements of this organization need
lands he has constructed many carriage roads and bridle paths and it is through
to be recorded, its activities extend, its endowments enlarged, its methods
his generous cooperation that the "Mountain Road" was constructed in 1932.
elsewhere adopted.
It is owing not only to the good sense of the townspeople but also to the
In the summer of 1901 Charles W. Eliot, who had been for twenty years
large holdings of the Trustees and of Mr. Rockefeller that the island has thus
a summer resident of Northeast Harbor, suggested to some of his neighbors
far been so well protected from unsightly advertising, unnecessary and ugly
and friends that they might form an organization to conserve and maintain
filling stations, undesirable resorts and from the constant danger of the for-
the unique natural beauties of Mount Desert. During the preceding winter
est fires which might in a few hours do a damage which it would take a quar-
Dr. Eliot had been engaged in putting together the papers of his son, Charles
ter century to repair.
Eliot. Here he came across an article printed in 1889 in "Garden and For-
In spite of the care of the Trustees in declining to take title to any areas
est" describing the wild charm of the coast of Maine and pointing out how
available for houses the withdrawal from taxation of so much of the wild
the increase of private ownership might soon deprive the public of access to
land in the interior of the island provoked a certain amount of criticism and
many of the beautiful hills, points and beaches. It further suggested how the
at the 1913 session of the Maine Legislature an effort was made to revoke
peril might be averted by action of the State or by the organization of incor-
the clause in the Charter of the Trustees which provided for the exemption of
porated bodies to secure and maintain reservations for public use. "It is time
their property from taxation. This was defeated but it was evident that some
decisive action was taken, and if the State of Maine should by suitable legis
other method of holding the lands, for public enjoyment should be discovered.
lation encourage the formation of associations for the purpose of preserving
In the spring of that year Mr. George B, Dorr went to Washington and sug-
chosen parts of her coast scenery, she would not only do herself honor, but
gested that the holdings of the Trustees might be consolidated in a national
would secure for the future an important element in her material prosperity.'
monument or park. This idea he continued to press with great patience and
It was in the following year (1890) that Charles Eliot had put this idea to
public spirit through prolonged negotiations. In 1914 Mr. Dorr, Mr. Ernest
practical test. He devised a plan for the organization of a body of substan-
H. Forbush, Professor M. L. Fernald and President Eliot contributed to the
tial citizens of Massachusetts to be known as the Trustees of Public Reserva-
National Geographic Magazine certain illustrated articles describing Mount
tions who would be empowered to acquire parcels of real estate possessing
Desert and advocating the establishment there of a National Park. These arti-
natural beauty or historical interest and to hold them for public use and en-
cles were issued by the Trustees in a special pamphlet under the title of "The
joyment. This Board was incorporated by act of the Massachusetts Legisla-
Unique Island of Mount Desrt" which had a noticeable influence in forming
ture May 21, 1891, and has rendered conspicuous public service for more
public opinion.
than forty-five years. This was the precedent that President Eliot had in mind
It was not, however, until the summer of 1916 that the negotiations at
when he inaugurated a similar movement at his summer home.
Washington bore fruit. On July 8th President Wilson signed an executive
The first step was to enlist the interest of the Village Improvement Socie-
order establishing the Sieur de Monts National Monument. As no money ap-
ties of Bar Harbor, Northeast Harbor and Seal Harbor which included lead-
propriation was required this could be done without act of Congress. It meant
ers among the permanent and the summer residents. Each of these Societies
just the acceptance by the Government of the offer of the Trustees to turn
appointed a Committee and on August 13, 1901, these Committees met at
over certain of their lands to the perpetual care of the Federal authorities.
Seal Harbor and enthusiastically endorsed the plan. An organization com-
This proved to be the first step in the larger plan advocated with resolute per-
mittee was chosen and this committee on August 29, applied to Bertrand E.
sistence by Mr. Dorr and finally an Act establishing the Lafayette National
Clark, J. P., to call a meeting of those desiring to be incorporated, as pro-
Park was passed by Congress on February 26, 1919. The national monu-
vided by Chapter 55 of the Revised Statutes of the State of Maine, for the
ment, together with further lands transferred by the Trustees, was merged
purpose of "acquiring, owning and holding lands and other property in Han-
into the Park and Mr. Dorr was appointed Superintendent, Ten years later
cock County for free public use." This meeting was held at the office of Mr.
on January 20, 1929, an additional bill was approved by President Coolidge
Edward B. Mears in Bar Harbor on September 12. 1901. The Hancock Coun-
which changed the name to Acadia National Park and authorized the inclu-
ty Trustees of Public Reservations were there duly organized and By laws
sion in the Park holdings of lands beyond the boundaries of the island.
adopted. The Incorporators were Luere B. Deasy, George B. Dorr, Charles
Since the establishment of the Park generous friends have continued to
W. Eliot, John S. Kennedy, Loren E Kimball, Lea McI. Luquer, Edward
B.
make gifts both of real estate and of money to the Trustees. Mr. and Mrs.
Mears and George L. Stebbins. Charles V.Eliot was elected President, George
Lincoln Cromwell gave 185 acres on Robinson (Acadia) Mountain as a mem-
B. Dorr and Edward S. Dana, Vice-Presidents, Lea McI. Luquer, Secretary,
orial for Mrs. Cromwell's parents, Reverend and Mrs. Cornelius Smith who
29,
applied
to
Bertrand
E.
Clark, J. P., to call a meeting of those desiring to be incorporated, as pro-
Park was passed by Congress on February 26, 1919. The national monu-
vided by Chapter 55 of the Revised Statutes of the State of Maine, for the
ment, together with further lands transferred by-the Trustees, was merged
3
purpose of "acquiring, owning and holding lands and other property in Han-
into the Park and Mr. Dorr was appointed Superintendent. Ten years later
cock County for free public use." This meeting was held at the office of Mr.
on January 20, 1929, an additional bill was approved by President Coolidge
Edward B. Mears in Bar Harbor on September 12, 1901. The Hancock Coun-
which changed the name to Acadia National Park and authorized the inclu-
ty Trustees of Public Reservations were there duly organized and By laws
sion in the Park holdings of lands beyond the boundaries of the island.
adopted. The Incorporators were Luere B. Deasy, George B. Dorr, Charles
Since the establishment of the Park generous friends have continued to
W. Eliot, John S. Kennedy, Loren E. Kimball, Lea McI. Luquer, Edward B.
make gifts both of real estate and of money to the Trustees. Mr. and Mrs.
Mears and George L. Stebbins. Charles Eliot was elected President, George
Lincoln Cromwell gave 185 acres on Robinson (Acadia) Mountain as a mem-
B. Dorr and Edward S. Dana, Vice-Presidents, Lea McI. Luquer, Secretary,
orial for Mrs. Cromwell's parents, Reverend and Mrs. Cornelius Smith who
and George L. Stebbins, Treasurer. Luere B. Deasy and Edward B. Mears
had been among the earliest of the summer cottagers at Northeast Harbor.
were appointed additional members of the Executive Committee. The incor-
Dr. Abbe, Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Henderson and other friends presented the Val-
poration of the Trustees was confirmed by special act of the Legislature in
ey of Duck Brook and Mrs. John Markoe added to her earlier gift a piece of
1903, giving the Corporation power "to acquire, hold and maintain and im
property on the north side of Bear Brook. Mr. T. W. Lawson gave the Val-
prove for free public use lands in Hancock County which by reason of scenic
ey of Man-of-War Brook in 1922 and the next year Archibald Murray and
beauty, historical interest, sanitary advantage or for other reasons may be
Charlton Yarnall contributed another 300 acre lot on the western shore of
available for the purpose." This Act also provided for the exemption of
Somes Sound. In 1925 the heirs of Mrs. Homans added 62 acres to her
such lands from state, county or town taxation.
original gift bringing the holdings of the Trustees to the ocean front south
Gradually interest in the purposes of the corporation was aroused and
of Schooner Head. A unique donation was that of beautiful Bar Island at
confidence established. A pamphlet written by President Eliot and issued in
the head of Somes Sound-the gift of Edith Pryor and Caroline Pryor Pine in
1904 with the title "The Right Development of Mount Desert" had a wide
memory of James W. Pryor and John B. Pine. In 1925 also the activities of
circulation and was for many years a sort of guide for both the town officers
the Trustees were extended to the mainland by the conveyance of a large
and private citizens in efforts to prevent forest fires, improve the roads and
tract at the end of Schoodic Point-the eastern bound of Frenchman's Bay,
the roadsides, open trails, avert undesirable developments and incite public
This gift, which included the Moose Islands and Welch Island, came from
spirit. In the summer of 1908 gifts to the Trustees began to be made. Eliza
Faith Moore and Ruth Moore Lee in honor of their father, John G. Moore,
L. Homans (Mrs. Charles D. Homans) gave to the Trustees a considerable
who had been the founder of the summer colony at Grindstone Neck. In 1929
tract above the Ocean Drive and including the Beehive and the pond called
the Trustees received under the will of George Nixon Black of Boston the
"The Bow!." The Trustees of the Estate of Linda Dows Cooksey conveyed a
noble old Black Mansion (Woodlawn) at Ellsworth. The bequest includes
piece of land on the Sea Cliff Drive near Seal Harbor on which the Cham-
the house with its unique collection of old time furnishings and pictures, the
plain Monument stands. Mr. George B. Cooksey gave title to some five acres
carriage house and its ancient vehicles, the well-kept gardens and grounds,
at the top of Barr Hill and a gift of money from Mr. John S. Kennedy en-
the remarkable woodlands accessible by the roads built by Colonel Black more
abled the Trustees to buy two tracts on the ridge and top of Green (Cad-
than a century ago, and a modest fund for insurance, repairs and upkeep.
illac) Mountain thus preserving the summit from exploitation and conserving
The Estate is administered by a special committee of the Trustees of which
for the enjoyment of the public the highest point on the Atlantic coast of the
Mr. Richard W. Hale has been the efficient chairman ever since the trust was
United States. In former years two small but unsightly hotels had successive-
accepted. Mr. and Mrs. Ellison and their daughters are the courteous and
ly occupied that summit and at one time a cog railroad had been operated
capable custodians on the premises. The Black Estate is the largest and most
to carry people up the western slope from Eagle Lake.
important unit now under the care of the Trustees.
In 1910 Mr. George L. Stebbins, the alert and diligent Treasurer of the
Dr. Eliot continued to serve as President of the Corporation until his
Corporation, discovered that a good title could be obtained to some large
death in 1926 and he was succeeded by Mr. Justice Deasy of the Maine Sup-
tracts in the centre of the eastern half of the island. There was need of
reme Court, who had been associated with the enterprise from its inception.
prompt action because there was imminent danger that lumber companies would
Mr. Luquer, Mr. Albert H. Lynam, Mr. Serenus B. Rodick and Mr. Richard C.
get control and cut off the woods. Two new factors made this peril an in-
McKown have successively served as Secretaries, and Mr. Stebbins, Mr. Ed-
stant one. There had been a sudden increase in the market for lumber and
ward B. Mears and Honorable Guy E. Torrey as Treasurers. The often com-
the introduction of the portable sawmill had made profitable the cutting of
plicated task of searching titles and passing deeds was long under the diligent
timber in places hitherto inaccessible. Mr. Stebbins promptly organized a
care of Mr. Albert H. Lynam and similar work on the western side of the
group of summer residents at Seal Harbor (George B. Cooksey, Richard M.
Island has been done by Mr. Schuyler R. Clark.
Hoe, Dr. Christian A. Herter, Dr. Edward K. Dunham, Edward C. Bodman,
The Trustees of Public Reservations continue to administer their trust with
Tracy Dows and George L. Stebbins) and, each taking equal shares, they
undiminished fidelity and disinterestedness. They serve the public good re-
bought a tract of some 3600 acres including the western slope of Green (Cad-
liably and without ostentation or reward. Since 1930 they have been steadily
illac) Mountain and all of Pemetic Mountain and the Southern Bubble. This
transferring their larger holdings to the Acadia National Park but they are
tract had been the property of a promoting company known as the Mount
ready to accept and administer additional gifts of either land or money. All
Desert and Eastern Shore Land Company which had long been bankrupt and
who are interested in one of the most beautiful regions in North America
the land had been bought in by one of the creditors at sheriff's sale with
will recognize that it is exceedingly desirable that certain areas still held in
twenty-two years back taxes unpaid. The new owners took title in the name
private ownership should be included either in the Park or in the lands held
of Mr. Stebbins and then sold for $3000 to Mr. George B. Dorr the 1600
by the Trustees. As illustrations of properties that are needed to round
acres which were within the limits of the town of Eden (Bar Harbor) with
out the Park or to protect the views from the hilltops there may be men-
the understanding that he would give the land to the Trustees, and they
tioned the ridge and top of Brown (Norumbega) Mountain, a strip of land
themselves deeded to the Trustees some 1000 acres including Pemetic and the
on the northern ridge of Newport (Champlain) which cuts through and severs
Bubble. They retained the lowlands for it was the desire of the Trustees
Park holdings, and the Porcupine Islands in Frenchman's Bay. Funds are
not to withdraw from taxation land that could be used for houses or farms.
needed to provide for the better protection of the Black House from fire and
In 1912 the executors of the estate of Mr. Charles T. How of Boston
for the care and maintenance of the Estate. While all the towns have now
and Bar Harbor offered for sale a tract of some 2000 acres including Jordan
established public landings there is still need of more access to the shores
and Sargent Mountains. To save this important area Mr. Suebbins, with the
and for the preservation for public enjoyment of some of the fine headlands
aid of Mr. Cooksey, took title to it and then suggested to President Eliot that,
and beaches. For historical reasons as well as for beauty of outlook Fernalds
as residents of Seal Harbor had given Pemetic Mountain to the Trustees, the
Point, the site of the Jesuit Settlement of 1613, should be included in the
people at Northeast Harbor might like to contribute Sargent Mountain. This
public lands and appropriately marked by a commemorative tablet. The
idea was adopted and the $7000 needed was promptly raised. Of this sum,
Trustees offer their services as experienced and disinterested custodians of
and in view of the protection of the water sheds, the Water Companies of
gifts of land or money which will help to carry out the purpose of the trust
Northeast Harbor and Seal Harbor contributed each $1000. Mr. Stebbins
"to acquire. and to hold for public use and enjoyment lands in Hancock County
transferred the western half of the tract to Mr. John S. Melcher in order
which have scenic beauty or historical interest.
that the easements in favor of the Water Company might be established and
September 10, 1936.
S. A. E.
The Hancack County Trustees of Pubic Reservations,
An Historical Sketch, 2nd edition. 2016.50 PP.
Preface
In 1901, forward thinking residents of Mount Desert Island, Maine formed
the Hancock County Trustees of Public Reservations to acquire lands for
free public use. Empowered by the Maine Legislature in 1903, over the next
decade the Trustees aquired 5,000 acres of land of "scenic beauty, historical
significance, scientific study or sanitary value." After negotiating with the federal
government for three years, the Trustees First Vice-President George B. Dorr
was instrumental in these lands becoming a national momument in 1916, just
seven weeks before the establishment of the National Park Service. Three years
later the landscape we know as Acadia National Park became the first national
park east of the Mississippi River.
During the first decade of the Park, land acquisition by the Trustees expanded
and transfers to the National Park Service more than doubled its size. In 1928,
the Hancock County Trustees of Public Reservations were bequeathed the
Woodlawn estate, the Black House, in Ellsworth prompting consideration of
the future role of the Trustees.
What motivated such precient actions? How did the Trustees define their role
after the creation of Acadia National Park?
An Historical Sketch and a Record of the Holdings of the Hancock County Trustees
of Public Reservations, orginally written by the Rev. Samuel A. Eliot, is
published here again, a gift of the Trustees, as part of the celebration of the
2016 Acadia National Park Centennial. This new edition includes two new
essays and list of lands, totaling 1,200 acres, donated by the Trustees since
1939. Along with an historical monument on the Blue Hill Overlook on
Cadillac Mountain in Acadia honoring the essential role of the Trustees in the
formation of the Park, the Trustees also donated to Acadia a last remaining two
acre parcel of land near Seawall on the western side of Mount Desert Island.
In "The Triumphant March of an Idea," George B. Dorr biographer
Ronald H. Epp chronicles the conservation efforts of the Trustees from 1901
to the present day and in "Beyond Acadia" executive director Joshua Campbell
Torrance details the Trustees oversight of Woodlawn as both a public park and
historic house museum. Photographs by Walter Smalling, Jr., of both Acadia
and Woodlawn, enrich the narrative by providing readers with a visual context.
With this republication of An Historical Sketch, we hope to tell the
story of the hundred year partnership between the Hancock County
Trustees of Public Reservations and the National Park Service, and their
common concern for land conservation and historic preservation.
Joshua Campbell Torrance
Ronald Harry Epp, Ph.D
Previous page- Cadillac Mountain at sunrise
i.
To left- Sunset along Sargeant Drive
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
ACADIA NATIONAL PARK
Lewis,
GBD.
BAR HARBOR, MAINE
S-have Held Ralph t
September 17, 1936.
by ray 11/18/36.
Museum Development
in
Acadia National Park
Education in a national park is carried on essentially by the
museum method. The park itself is a museum, in a very real sense; and
the educational officers act as curators, explaining the exhibits
nature and history have provided. In such a situation the function of
a formal museum becomes supplementary. Museum development does not
replace the naturalist or historian leading his parties into the field,
but gives him another tool for making the park story clear. The park
museum is equipped by its nature to serve the park educational program
in several ways. In the first place, the museum can explain those park
features which are too complicated for verbal treatment. This is,
perhaps, its primary function. Secondly, the museum can summarize in
one place and in brief time the park story. In the third place, it
can reach effectively many of the visitors who do not remain long enough
to engage in the scheduled educational events.
I. The Need for a Park Museum at Acadia.
The need for a park museum at Acadia has been felt for so long
and by so many Park Service officials that it seems scarcely necessary
to justify it further. However, recent studies (reported in Sections II,
III and IV, following) make this need so evident that the reasons for
establishing a park museum may be stated with renewed emphasis.
Acadia National Park receives over 300,000 visitors each year.
The great majority of them are in the Park fewer than twenty-four hours.
Less than 5% of these visitors obtain any help in understanding the Park.
This situation constitutes the problem of education - of inter-
preting the Park to the public. The present educational program is
taxed in reaching the fraction of visitors now contacted. The
schedule of educational activities leaves barely enough free time to
maintain the tonus of the staff, and many of the groups participating
already are too large for effective handling. If four men can reach
less than 5% of park visitors, it is obvious that expansion of the
personnel (while important) can never solve the problem. Furthermore,
[full 18-page Report in
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
ACADIA NATIONAL PARK
BAR HAR BOR, MAINE
September 17, 1936.
The Superintendent,
Acadia National Park,
Bar Harbor, Maine.
Dear Mr. Dorr:
Submitted herewith is Part I of the Acadia Mus eum Plan. This part
is devoted to a study of the local situation and to plans for museum
development based on this study. Much of the material will be obvious to
anyone well acquainted with the Park. However, it was felt that the
formulation of a definite foundation was necessary for sound progress in
museum development. Your criticism is solicited.
Two additional reports will follow to complete the Museum Plan.
Work is now in progress on a study of the Park story. The analysis of
subject matter will result in a summary and rationale of the Park story
which may be interpreted by museum methods. This will comprise Part II
of the plan. The third section will consist of the Exhibit Plan, detailed
plans and specifications for the exhibits to be constructed.
Respectfully yours,
(Signed)
RALPH H. LEWIS
Field Curator.
Enclosure,
ROBERT M.McBRIDE & COMPANY
TRAVEL
Publishers
116 EAST SIXTEENTH STREET
e
NEW YORK
Published
CABLE ADDRESS
Monthly
BRIDECO, N. Y.
September 28, 1936
Dear Mr. Dorr
This is a voice from your long distant past and
you misht as well look at the signature at the end and try to
recall me before you go any further!
I've thought of you often and asked for you when
I was in Bar Harbor in the summer of 1935 but we had little time
and no one knew just where you might be found. I had visions
of you still climbing Schoodic Point - or is it Head?- or taking
the footpath to the top of Cadillac instead of that marvellous
road which they had only just started to build the summer I spent
in your sea-room in 1925. A long while ago. Ever since I've
been with this publishing house - almost two years - I've thought
of that very interesting material which you let me read and copy
that summer, under the delusion that I was "editing" it and won-
dered if you have ever done anything since about it. I asked one
of our editors here this morning about it and he leaped at the idea.
Possibly some other editor has leaped at the same idea since the
summer of 1925 and they are already on the way to being published.
Won't you let me know? After all, you gave me my editorial
start! Actually here I am with "Travel" and not with the book
publishing end of it but they occasionally inveigle me into reading
book manuscripts, especially when they are in French or German.
I saw Mr. Nelson this summer when I was home and hear
occasionally from Tudor Gardiner. And met for the first time only
this summer our old opponent in the famous "elson campaign - Blaine
Viles. And made one political speech while I was home, but came away
a little discouraged at the state of the nation, even in my home town.
Do you come to New York winters? I should love to see
you again if you do. You can always reach me here daytimes and my
home address is 15 West 12th Street. Won't you let me know about the
old letters - both the Ward correspondende and the later letters to
??
your mother? And how is my little "Tireur d'Epine"?and the Piranesi
prints?
With kindest regards, believe me
Sincerely yours
Mary Gosline McBride Parker!
2
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
Acadia National Park
Bar Harbor, Maine
October 1, 1936.
Dear Mrs. Parker:
I am glad to hear from you and learn
that you have turned your hand again to literary work;
the field is endless. I am interested that you recall
the oldtime letters you helped me sort and copy. They
are all copied now and put away, and I have no plan for
publishing them at this time. Whatever may be done
with them hereafter, they should be kept together and
tied up with the period and its personalities.
With kind regards, believe me
Yours sincerely,
Mrs. Mary Gosline Parker,
15 West 112th Street,
New York City.
GED-0
Orleans, Vt., Sept. 59th, 1936
Mr. George B. Dorr,
Bar Harbor, Maine
My dear Mr. Dorr;
Net hearing from you, since my call the first of
July, in regard to our Hulls Cove property, I wish to inquire
if you called at Mr. Graham's office to talk over the plan of
the property.
I went to see Mr. Graham, after I talked with you and
he was going out of town, but said that he would call you
when he returned that afternoon.
Now, the more I think of it, I am convinced that our
Hulls Cove property, should be included in the Park, it is 80
centrally located and the Breakneck Road has always been one of
the prettiest drives, and used by many people. The road is very
narrow, hardly allowing two cars, or carriages to pass. If the
park owned the property, they could make a nice wide drive, and
clear the sides of the road under the trees.
If the Park had an entrance at Halls Cove, it would be
within easy access of people going to Bar Harbor to see
Lafayette National Park.
I wish that you would take this up with the Park Association,
or anyone interested in improving the park.
We would consider a fair offer at this time.
Yours very truly,
Delia Snow Mason, Admr.,
Snow Retate
(Mrs. Hale Mason)
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
Acadia National Park
Bar Harbor, Maine
October 2, 1936.
Mrs. Hale Mason
38 School Street,
Orleans, Vermont.
Dear Mrs. Masons
I handed your previous letter to Mr.
Clarence B. Dow and Mr. Schuyle R. Clark, who were
conducting the submarginal land purchases for the
Government, under President Roosevelt's land-purchase
scheme, on t be western side of the Island. But, as I
recall it, the price you mentioned would n of permit the
inclusion of your land in their optioning for the Govern-
ment; and later, restriction was placed upon the amount
of funds available for such purchasing which limited it
to the western area.
I agree with you entirely that your and above the
Breakneck Road would be appropriate and desirable for
the Government to acquire in defining the Park land in
that section on the north, but there is no one but the
Government itself to purchase it. No funds for this
are available from a private source. It may be that
further funds for purchase by the Government mayidba e
made available later and if they are, I shall gladly bear
your land in mind, if it still remain unsold.
Yours sincerely,
George B. Deer
Superintendent
OBD-0
Page lof4
Circa 1936
Points of Interest to Visit
in Acadia National Park
Notes by the Superintendent
The Ocean Drive along the shore from Sand Beach
to Otter Creek extending around Otter Cliffs Point in
the site of the former wartime radio station.
The central feature on the Drive is Thunder Hole,
from whose cavernous depths the surf comes booming back
with tremendous sound when the tide serves and billows
come rolling in.
There is a wide parkin space off the travelled
way opposite this point and a ranner cabin where informa-
tion or ranger service may be secured. Along the whole
length of the ocean front upon this Drive a beautiful
walk extends from which people may -0 down onto the rocks
to sit and watch the sea. Beyond, at the eastern end
of the Drive is the Sand Beach which is private property
but kept open to the public by the courtesy of the owners.
To reach this beach a well-marked path descends from a
parking ground built by the Government opposite its
western end. .
The beach, set between bold and rugged
headlands, is one of the most attractive features on
the coast and widely visited.
2.
the summit of Cadillac Mountain, the highest
mountrinous elevation fronting the sea on the entire
Atlantic coast of the United States.
From it one looks out over a vast ocean plain
to a far horizon limited to vision only by the curvature
of the earth.
This summit is the crowning height in
Mount Desert Island's mountain chain which forms the
nucleus and central feature of Acadia National Park and
was itself the first tract to be acquired in the long
series of acquisitions that have gone successively to
make up its present territory.
The ascent to it
from Bar Harbor is a masterpiece of engineering, easy
of grade and openin; out in its course wonderful views
over lake and forest, the sea and distant reaches of a
once mountainous land.
3
Sieur de Monts Sprinz at the northern entrance
to the deep, forested Otter Creek Corme through which
the county road (State Highway No. 3) passes on its
way Irom Bar Harbor to the summer residential colonies
of seal and Northeaut Harbors, which lie outside the
Park.
This spring rising from deep, hidden sources
and unfailing in temporature and volume, is one of the
most widely sought features of the Park, to which people
are drawn alike by the cool purity of the water and the
beautiful scenery in which it is set.
Interesting
mountain climbs and woodland trails lead from it and it
has become a favorite spot for visitors motoring from a
distance to bring their lunch and cat it in the open
grove beside it at tables which the Park provides.
Close by the Spring is Acadia National Park's
Indian museum, set at the mountain's foot and containing
only objects found on Mount Desert Island or the neighbor-
ing Acadian
shore. (This museum was built and endowed
through the enthusiasm, the public spirit and antiquarian
interest of Dr. Robert Abbe of New York,) long a summer
resident on the Island, and, with its story of ancient
occupation and a by-gone period, it is well worth visiting.
4
Schoodic Head and Point, a later addition to
the Park, where the Government has built a wonderful
shore drive, culminating in a magnificently placed
parking space amid great rocks against which, after
storms at sea, the waves break, flincing high great
sheets of spray.
: short way back from this, on the best location
on the coast for far communications, the Federal Govern-
ment has built one of its most important radio stations
in replacement of that which was erected at Otter Cliffs
during the World War and proved SO excellent in reception
that during President Wilson's stays abroad at the war's
end it was used exclusively for communicating with him.
Back from this by half a mile or SO rises, boldly
cliffed, Schoodic Head, 400 and odd feet in height above
the sea, from which there is one of the grandest views
the world can offer: southward over a vast. expanse of
sea, unbroken to the far Antarctic; eastward, to greet
the sunrise, down the famous Bay of Fundy, where the
first settlement of Acadia was made by France; and west-
ward, across the entrance to Frenchmans Bay to the Mount
Desert mountains and sunset over the distant Gamden Hills.
GeorgeBBoth
City
y
I
Acadia National Park
Bar Harbor, Maire
Sunday, November 29, 1936.
Dear Grover:
You and Catherine will be interested to
know that I received a telegram today from my cousin,
Mrs. William C. Endicott - in Boston -- telling me
that William died yesterday afternoon of a sudden
heart attack. I am taking the train up tomorrow to
see my cousin and be present at the service.
I saw by the paper the other day that your friend
Von Swerigen, on straightening out whose affairs you
told me you had done much helpful work last year, had
suddenly died. I trust that, in whatever reorganization
this may involve your work will be duly placed and
recognized.
With kindest regards to Catherine and to the
children, one and all, I am
Sincerely yours,
[G.B.DORR]
GBD-0
Mr. Grover O'Neill
Oyster Bay, L.I.
New York.
(1
of
%
F. MANCHES
SHIBHA
S
o
when
I
G.B.DO
a
12 Acr
bor
F. MANCHESTER
17 Acres
GEORGE B. DORR
former Wilson Lot.
GEORGE
36. 5 Acres
RIGHT OF WAY- OLD ROAD
SHIP HARBOR
76.7
Area at High Tide
23 Acres
WILD GARDENS
OF ACADIA
GEORGE B. DORR
former Cobb Lot
former Richardson Lot.
37 Acres
41.4 Acres
N.
E
W
CHESTER
UNITED
DORR
2 Acres
STATES GOV.
JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER JR.
RGE B. DORR
76.7 Acres
PLAN SHOWING PROPERTY OF
GEORGE B. DORR.
AT SHIP HARBOR , HANCOCK COUNTY, ME.
SCALE : 1" = 600'
20 EXCHANGE PLACE
NEW YORK
December 4, 1936,
Dear Cousin George:
I felt very sad to hear of Mr. Endicott's death.
I take it that you will have returned from Boston. I am sorry
that you had to go down on such a sorrowful errand. Catharine
was ready to join you in Boston had you wished to have her.
I have always had a particularly warm spot for Mr.
Endicott, because, during my early days in the security business,
I took it into my head to try to do business in Boston. I was
told that it would probably be fruitless. But Mr. Endicott and
a number of others did business with me, and on my return to New
York the work was very nicely recognized. Mr. Endicott helped
me very much.
You asked the other day what the attitude of business
is towards the election. For the most part, the financial district
was completely flabbergasted by the great size of the electoral
vote. And it has been remarkable to see how little the election
is talked about. Also, criticism of Roosevelt, which used to be
continual on all meetings and occasions, has pretty well dried up.
I was very much in an in-between position, because it didn't seem
to me, judging by what Landon had to say, that he offered anything
different from Roosevelt's program; and that, in any event, he
would not be able to effect more than a 5% or 10% change therein.
The opinion seems to be general that business is going to go ahead
no matter who is president, providing the government does not
actually place obstructions in its path. This I feel the govern-
ment is less likely to do now than it has been in the past.
I went out to Cleveland to attend Mr. Van Sweringen's
funeral. I don't know just what the future holds for the organi-
zation or for me. But I am keeping my ear to the ground.
You may be interested to know that Jimmie Robbins
of Bar Harbor is now associated with me.
With warm regards, I am
Very sincerely yours,
Green Ohisin
George B. Dorr, Esq.,
Bar Harbor.
Maine.
Dorr visits Biltmore "in old days
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
COLONIAL NATIONAL MONUMENT
YORKTOWN, VIRGINIA
Dec 12-1921
Dan the Don
Today light a copy of a letter but you
by Mr Helines relative to the by ing kip that I
made to 4 ok from last summer. l turned your
personal check over to the clerk here, and it was
subsequently lost somebow. They are now asking for
only a re-issue of the same check. I and earry
that you are being troubled So much about the matter
a week ago I took the little penal sheteh
of to a fucture Lawners, and you will
get it toon.
Last Saturday thiss Guruse winted we to lunch
with lee is Washington also present were the (parist)
and thas John Parll of Richmond it was very
pleasant
2
Last month I oristed the Betwas Estate at
Ashuille and was greatly impressed by the
magnificance of the house and the beauty of the
landrabing the Beadle (ap ) shaved us through
the place We remembers your insiting Biltinors in the
old days. what pleased me as much as anything
else was to see the two brick and budge. from
Clustead's Hice.
WE had a good tup in the Smakeis The
weather was lovely But the visiblity very per
Lots of usel in the office - Ignor we will
always be busy
Best regards to you and you administrative
family
Charles Rituson
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
WASHINGTON
December 18, 1936
Mr. George B. Dorr,
Superintendent, Acadia National Park,
Bar Harbor, Maine.
Dear Mr. Dorr:
The plan for museum development in Acadia National Park, for-
warded with your letter of November 14, has been studied by officials
of the technical branches concerned. With their concurrence I am
approving it.
In accepting this plan, I note particularly the urgent need for
museum development in Acadia National Park. We sincerely hope that
funds may be found to provide for such development.
It is noted that you have selected a site for the central museum.
We trust that it may be reserved until the museum building can be
erected.
Sincerely yours,
A. E. Demaray,
Acting Director.
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
WASHINGTON
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR
December 19, 1936.
Mr. George B. Dorr,
Acadia National Park,
Bar Harbor, Maine.
Dear Mr. Dorr,
Your friendship has meant so much to me, both personally
and officially, that I cannot let the Holiday Season come
without specially wishing you and those close and dear to you
the merriest of all Christmases and the fullest measure of
good health, contentment and happiness during the coming year.
Sincerely,
Commun
Arno B. Cammerer,
Director.
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
Acadia National Park
Bar Harbor, Maine.
December 19, 1936.
Old Corner Book Store,
Boston, Mass.
Gentlemen:
will you kindly send to Mr. George B. Dorr the
following books:
Peary
William Herbert Hobbs
Elizabeth Fry
Janet Whitney
Brookings
Hagedorn
In the Steps of St. Paul
Morton
The Higher Learning in America. Hutchins
America's Heritage from John
Stuar Mill
Morlan
Yours truly,
G. M. Okkes
clerk.
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
Acadia National Park
Bar Harbor, Maine
December 21, 1936.
Miss Mabel Harlow,
Interior Decorator,
164 Newbury Street,
Boston, Mass.
Dear Miss Harlow:
I thank you very much for your kind interest in
my old China chair problem kindly brought to you for me
by Miss Bullard. The chair was sent out to my grandmother
by my uncle, then in China, near ninety years ago and I
see how difficult it has become to replace the old damask
seat. The damask on the chair's high back shows little
wear and my feeling is, on getting your letter, that it
may be best to depart wholly from the damask-covered seat,
with its fragile character in use, and substitute for it,
the chair seat being well finished in its teakwood beneath
it, a cushion of some suitable material -- leather possibly
that will attempt to be no more. So I write to ask
you
to give up the quest you have so kindly undertaken, bearing
it in mind, however, should chance throw in your way some
such material as you were questing for, and to send me back
the worn damask of the original seat.
Please let me have your own account for service
rendered. I shall keep your firm address in case other
problems shall come along that I will be glad to consult
you on, and remain,
Sincerely yours,
George B. Dorr.
C
O
P
Y
Dear Tom, [Ward J.]
I drove out with Bessie to Salem with Fanny
Mason in her car for the service for William Endicott,
and on the way she told me much of you, of whom I was
most glad to hear. I write this line to take you,
and convey to her as well, the best of Christmas
Greetings.
You and I are the last of our generation in our
Grandfather Ward's family with tts old Salem tradi-
tions and recollections of the Park Street home.
Bessie told me of your going, an honored guest,
to the Harvard Tercentenary and of the interest you
took in it. They tell me it was a great occasion
with its gowned and hooded representatives from the
great universities of the world, but that Jupiter
was too 'pluvius' for the full beauty and pleasantness
of the closing scene. My sight went back on me some
four years since and I go nowhere now where people
congregate, but my mind is as active still and in-
terested as ever and with others to read to me my
1932.
days are full. You have, as you always did have, a
marvellous vitality, body and mind alike, with
which my thought of you is associated always.
Most affectionately,
Your cousin,
(Sgd) George B. Dorr.
December 23, 1936.
Page lof5
[Draft]
THIS INDENTURE etc
WHEREAS the said property hereinafter described
consisting of lands and easements is all held in private
ownership by the said George B. Dorr, and
WHEREAS the said George B. Dorr is desirous of
enabling the Federal Government to continue its road
development through Long Field, so-called, in the Town
of Bar Harbor, and along those portions of the Harden Farm
Road, and Ledgelawn Avenue Extension, which were discon-
tinued at the annual town meeting of the town of Bar
Harbor, in 1936, as said proposed road development was
shown on plans presented at said meeting,
NOW THEREFORE, etc
(description)
Excepting and reserving to the grantor herein,
his heirs and assigns the right of ingress and egress
for the benefit of the remaining land of said grantor
known a S Long Field, over the land herein granted, and
any roads which may be constructed thereon.
2
2.
Excepting and reserving to the grantor herein,
his heirs and assigns, the right to cross the lands
hereinabove conveyed, by foot-path crossing, together
also with the right of taking pipes or conduits for any
or all purposes, as need may arise, through any or all
culverts or bridges laid out or constructed across the
land hereinabove described as conveyed.
Provided however that the grantee herein, its
successors or assigns, shall keep the land hereinabove
described as conveyed, open and free from obstruction
between it and the lands retained by the grantor by
fence, hedge or other barriers but excepting from the
above SO much of Lot No. One as Lies between the east
side of said lot and the center line of the proposed road
to be buNt al ong Long Field.
mhats
or
Pail
Provided also that any road built over,
part or whole, the Harden Farm Road as discontinued from
the Gorge Road to a point near Kebo Spring (the dis-
continuance of the road above referred to being made
by the Town of Bar Harbor, at its annual meeting in 1936)
or any road built in accordance with the plans submitted
to the annual town meeting for 1936, concerning the
3
3.
discontinuance of the Harden Farm Road, shall have access
to the not discontinued, northern portion of the Harden
Farm Road with which it connects near Kebo or Burrill
Spring, substantially in the manner as shown by plan has
the
tants
attached hereto and made a part hereof; and shall be
maintained and administered under the gener al Park road
regulations, having always in mind the interests and
desires of the public; and it |is further provided that
all roads built shall be built generally in the same
location as shown on said plan as submitted to said
town, and on which action by said Town was based.
Reha
Red
#4
TO INCLUDE IN DEED
l.
The right to retain in use and to maintain the five-
foot foot-path built by me, twenty years ago down the
length of the Long Field, between it and the former Ledgelawn
Avenue Extension Road.
2.
The gift of this land is made and the favorable
action of the Town of Bar Harbor on the Federal Government's
request for the surrender to it of its Harden Farm Road
System around the Great Meadow was secured on the basis
of the Government's adherence to the plan exhibited under
instruction from the National Park Service at the Town's
annual meeting, with such minor modifications only
as further engineering study may show to be desirable.
3.
Contrary to the original intention as understood by
the donor and by the Town of Bar Harbor before and at the
time of its annual meeting, the construction of the new road
replacing the road system surrendered by the Town is now
planned to be dealt with not under a single but under three
separate contracts, the surveys for one of which only is drawn
up, leaving open still the details of the other two.
5
Ju Include
Dard
page 2
Assurance is asked the the general intention of the
entire system as shown in the map prepared for exhibition
at Town meeting and conversations with Chief Landscape
Architect Vint will be carried out in the contracts yet to be
drawn.
Pg-309
Maine's Second National Park
P. 310.
of Hollingsworth and Whitney. To Chisholm, he wrote: "Our objec-
and Governor Brann had been to Washington, seeing, as Avery
tion is not a national forest as such, but to the wide-open provi-
wrote, "about the possibility of enlarging the Katahdin Park-pri-
sions of the law which completely surrenders sovereignly to the
marily, I suppose, through acquiring Ross's lands." The next week,
Federal government." Wardwell's other nightmare was the loss of
Avery, back in D.C., received a letter from Ross, asking him to meet
timber that, in his words, would "be sterilized." He expressed his
Governor Brann at the Mayflower Hotel and lobby him hard.
fear to William Hilton that the 1933 proposal would take out 1 mil-
Avery's willingness to intervene seems due, in constant refer-
lion acres "and drive us to New Brunswick for at least part of our
ences in his letters, solely to his concern about conditions at Baxter
supply." Hilton agreed, writing back that it might jeopardize 40,000
Park, which he found "disorganized."
cords to be hauled over "King" Lacroix's railroad from Umbazook-
He wanted facilities for visitors to obtain lodging and meals of
sus to Eagle Lakes.
ample quality. The closing of a camp annoyed him. He fulminated
This flurry of national forest proposals, despite support from
against "the haphazard laissez-faire system at Katahdin" and felt the
such powerful individuals as Walter Powers and Curtis Hutchins of
need for regulation, supervision, and authority. Otherwise, he
the Passamaquoddy Land Company, never came to any fruition.
wrote, "Katahdin, instead of the pride of Maine, will become the
[Then, in 1936, the idea of a national park to be centered in the
symbol of a state and a people which either have not the inclination
Katahdin area, subsuming Baxter Park, was born.
or the ability to preserve their priceless treasure."
In the light of the current push for a 3-million-acre national
On January 12, 1937, Avery sent a letter directly to Baxter
park in the same vicinity, its story is worth telling in some detail,
expressing his concerns. No direct reply from Baxter is included in
especially now that the Myron Avery papers have been made avail-
Avery's meticulously chronologically kept correspondence, and a
able at the Maine State Library.
week later, he wrote to Ross: "What do you think of undertaking a
Myron Avery, the key figure here, was in 1936 an admiralty
campaign to have the federal government create a national park in
lawyer working for the U.S. Maritime Commission in Washington.
the Katahdin region?" Until then, neither he nor Ross had specifi-
Avery, who considered himself a Maine man from Lubec, also
cally mentioned a national park. Another letter at this juncture in
was said to be the country's leading expert on Katahdin and held
Avery's collection is most puzzling. It is a copy of a confidential let-
the prestigious position in the hiking world of president of the
ter from Baxter, mailed six months earlier to a Dr. E. A. Pritchard
Appalachian Trail Conference (not to be confused with the
of the National Park Service, and there is no explanation of how it
Appalachian Mountain Club).
came into Avery's possession.
Among Avery's letters is one sent to Percival Baxter on March
In this possibly purloined letter, Baxter is absolutely scathing
1931
13, 1931, expressing his delight in reading about Baxter's "gift of a
toward unnamed "landed interests" desirous of selling their holdings
three-eighth interest in T3 R9, the Katahdin Township" to the state.
to the Feds and "posing as being interested in parks," adding "For
Included with this missive was a gift of his own to Baxter, a supple-
twenty and more years, these very people were the bitterest oppo-
ment to a bibliography on Katahdin and two articles on the region
nents of the Park idea in any form." Then, having cited his own park
immediately north of the mountain. His ending could not have been
accomplishment "only after a long and tiresome contest, absolutely
more cordial. "As a citizen of the state, I wish to be one of many to
single-handed and in the face of abuse and bitterness that you would
express an appreciation of your very generous and far-sighted act."
not believe possible," he sounds two themes he would use again and
Why, then, five years later, did Avery listen to Harry F. Ross
again in the ensuing debate on the national park idea: 1) that he had
and then cooperate with him on a plan to enlarge the Katahdin state
plans for "a large and suitable state park," which he couldn't yet
park into a national park? They met in New York and Ross said he
reveal; and 2) that if the Park Service wanted a national park in
Viewer Controls
Toggle Page Navigator
P
Toggle Hotspots
H
Toggle Readerview
V
Toggle Search Bar
S
Toggle Viewer Info
I
Toggle Metadata
M
Zoom-In
+
Zoom-Out
-
Re-Center Document
Previous Page
←
Next Page
→
1935-36
Details
1935 - 1936