The Raging Fire That Ended Bar Harbor’s Golden Age & Destroyed Millionaire’s Row in 1947

Bar Harbor, Maine

What began with Tobias Roberts’ Agamont House in 1855 grew into a seasonal society where Astors, Vanderbilts, and Pulitzers constructed lavish estates along Bar Harbor’s shore.

For nearly a century, this exclusive enclave flourished until a catastrophic fire forever changed this corner of Maine.

The First Hotel Opens Its Doors

Tobias Roberts built Bar Harbor’s first hotel in 1855. The Agamont House stood at the foot of Main Street next to the village’s first wharf, which Roberts also built.

Rich city families called “rusticators” began spending summers on Maine’s coast. They wanted to escape the noise, smoke, and crowds of cities like Boston, New York, and Philadelphia.

The Rodick House Dominates The Landscape

David Rodick started small by fixing up two cottages for summer guests. By 1881, the hotel had 400 rooms and could feed 1,000 people at once. It became the largest hotel in Maine.

The Rockefellers, Carnegies, and Vanderbilts stayed there before building their own summer homes. The huge lobby became the social center of Bar Harbor, especially on rainy days.

Steam Travel Opens Bar Harbor To The World

The steamboat “Lewiston” began regular trips to Bar Harbor in 1868. This reliable transport sparked rapid growth by making travel easier.

By 1870, four steamboats arrived daily. Telegraph service came in 1871, connecting Bar Harbor to the outside world year-round. Wealthy visitors from Boston, New York, and Philadelphia could now reach the once-remote fishing village with ease.

By 1880, Mount Desert Island had 30 hotels with 17 in Bar Harbor alone. Hotels were so popular that people booked rooms two years ahead.

Millionaires’ Row

Frenchman Bay became “Millionaires’ Row” because of all the crazy extravagant estates that lined its shores.

America’s top families built summer homes there, including the Rockefellers, Vanderbilts, Astors, Morgans, Fords, and Pulitzers.

At this point, Bar Harbor competed with Newport, Rhode Island as THE place to be for nation’s most elite.

The Fire Started Slowly

At first, the fire burned slowly, blackening only 169 acres over three days. But everything changed on October 21st when strong winds fanned the flames, causing the blaze to spread rapidly and engulf over 2,000 acres.

On the morning of October 23rd, hurricane-force winds transformed the fire into a raging firestorm, sending flames rushing toward Bar Harbor.

In just over three hours, the fire traveled nearly six miles, creating a three-mile-wide path of destruction.

People Fled for Their Lives

As flames approached, residents rushed to escape. When all roads out of Bar Harbor were blocked by flames, local fishermen from Winter Harbor, Gouldsboro, and Lamoine braved rough seas and high winds to evacuate about 400 people by boat.

Eventually, bulldozers carved a pathway through the flames and smoldering ruins on Route 3.

A caravan of 700 cars carrying about 2,000 people slowly drove to safety in Ellsworth, with sparks pelting the cars and flames flaring overhead.

It Took Weeks to Fully Extinguish

Though the fire was declared under control on October 27th, it continued to smolder underground even after rain and snow had fallen. The fire wasn’t completely extinguished until November 14th, almost a month after it began.

The Fire’s Total Destruction

By the time it was over, 17,188 acres had burned on Mount Desert Island, with 10,000 of those acres in Acadia National Park. Property damage exceeded $23 million in 1947 dollars, an enormous sum at that time.

The fire destroyed 67 seasonal estates along Bar Harbor’s famous “Millionaires’ Row,” along with 170 permanent homes and five large hotels near downtown.

It Changed Bar Harbor Forever

After the Great Fire, Bar Harbor became the beautiful and accessible beach town it is today, and one of the best places to visit in Maine.

You can walk down Main Street to eat fresh lobster rolls at Side Street Cafe or buy Maine-made gifts at Window Panes. Hike the easy Ocean Path in Acadia National Park or drive up Cadillac Mountain to see the sunrise.

At Bar Harbor, you can also go boating, spot humpbacks, and so many more recreation activities.

Visiting Bar Harbor

You can visit Bar Harbor year-round, though most attractions open from May through October.

Drive to Bar Harbor via Route 3 from Ellsworth. Park downtown at the Harborside lot or the Village Green lot for $1 per hour. The free Island Explorer bus runs June through October.

Don’t miss the Shore Path for ocean views and glimpses of surviving Gilded Age mansions, made even better by joining the guided walking history tour.

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