Bar Harbor Landmarks and Monuments

(Bar Harbor, Mount Desert Island, Maine - ME, USA)

The many man-made landmarks both in and around Bar Harbor paint an interesting picture of the past. Sadly in 1947, a large number of historical monuments were destroyed in a sweeping fire, which follow a severe drought and devastated huge areas of Mount Desert Island and Acadia National Park, destroying more than 60 grand mansions and further similar landmarks.

Therefore, monuments around Bar Harbor which pre-date 1947 are of great importance to Mount Desert Island, and are not as plentiful as they once were. Within Bar Harbor itself, significant monuments and landmarks from the past include the Criterion Theater and Arts Center, the Town Pier, and also the incredibly pretty Village Green and its street clock, while close by are a large number of lighthouses, looking rather as if they belong on a holiday postcard.

Criterion Theater and Arts Center

Address: 35 Cottage Street, Bar Harbor, US-04609, Mount Desert Island, Maine (ME), USA
Tel: +1 207 288 3441
The Criterion Theater and Arts Center appears of the List of Registered Historic Places in Maine and immediately become and notable landmark in Bar Harbor, when it first opened its doors to theater-goers more than 80 years ago. Step inside and you will discover Art Deco magnificence at its very best. If you are visiting during the middle of August, then you will be able to enjoy one of the many concerts staged here as part of the Bar Harbor Jazz Festival.
Open hours: daily - hours vary according to performance
Admission: charge

Picture of the Town Pier

Town Pier

Address: Newport Drive / Main Street, Bar Harbor, US-04609, Mount Desert Island, Maine (ME), USA
The Town Pier is without question one of the most visited and well known of all the landmarks scattered around the Bar Harbor area. This wooden pier stretches into the ocean and is lined with benches, so that you can sit down and enjoy the stunning panoramic views around Frenchman Bay, which stretch as far as the Porcupine Islands. A number of frequent cruises depart fro the pier, while tourists often come here simply to take al stroll along the picture-postcard Shore Path, which starts are the Town Pier and was first laid out as far back as 1880. There are a number of noteworthy restaurants close to the pier, including both Geddy's and the Fish House Grill.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Image showing famous 'Street Clock'

Village Green / Street Clock

Address: Bar Harbor, Mount Desert Island, Maine (ME), USA
The Village Green has long been major attraction in Bar Harbor and is located within the very heart of the town center. This beautifully maintained park offers a pleasant and appealing spot to stop off whilst you shop and sightsee, with local children regularly coming here to enjoy a game, or an ice cream. Each Monday and Thursday evening during the summer months, the town's band plays at the Village Green's gazebo. However, it is the 'Street Clock' that really stands out and has become a landmark in its own right, dating from 1896 and being moved to its current Village Green situation some 13 years later. The Street Clock serves as a reminder of bygone years, when clocks such as this were much more commonplace. Its inner workings have since been modernized, being today powered by electricity.
Open hours: daily - 24 hours
Admission: free

Photo of Bass Harbor Head Light

Lighthouses

Address: Bar Harbor, Mount Desert Island, Maine (ME), USA
There are countless rather photogenic lighthouses spread around the Mount Desert Island and areas of the Acadia National Park, close to Bar Harbor, and also on the neighboring Cranberry Isles and the islet of Frenchboro. Many of these lighthouses have become major local landmarks and although the are generally not actually open to the public, they are well worth searching out, being particularly impressive when spotted by boat. The main lighthouses around Mount Desert Island are as follows:

Baker Island Light - Islesford, US-04646, Mount Desert Island, Maine (ME), USA
The Baker Island Lighthouse stands on the nearby Little Cranberry Island and was built in 1820, being viewable from the Chandler Hovey Park, the Salem Willows Park, and Boardman Avenue at Manchester-by-the-Sea
Mount Desert Rock Light - Frenchboro, US-04635, Mount Desert Island, Maine (ME), USA
The Mount Desert Rock Light lies in nearby Frenchboro, south of Bar Harbor, and was formerly used as a whale watching station and research base, being established in 1830 and built solely of granite.
Great Duck Island Light - Frenchboro, US-04635, Mount Desert Island, Maine (ME), USA
The Great Duck Island Light dates from 1890 and is around 12 meters / 40 feet in height. Close by is the lighthouse keeper's house and also a boathouse. Access is best by boat.
Bass Harbor Head Light - Bass Harbor, US-04653, Mount Desert, ME
Bass Harbor Head Light is located on the southern side of Mount Desert Island, next to Seal Harbor and Blue Hill Bay, where the grounds remain open all through the summer. Dating back to 1858, this bright-white tower is around 17 meters / 56 feet in height and is one of the most regularly photographed lighthouses in the whole of Maine
Bear Island Light - Northeast Harbor, US-04662, Mount Desert Island, Maine (ME), USA
The Bear Island Light is sited on the coast of Northeast Harbor and on the southern side of Acadia National Park, marking the entrance to Somes Sound. This station was established as far back as 1839, although the current lighthouse and related landmarks date back to 1889.
Burnt Coat Harbor Light - Swans Island, US-04685, Mount Desert Island, Maine (ME), USA
Lying on the southerly Swans Island, the grounds of Burnt Coat Harbor Light are open to members of the public. From Bar Harbor, Swans Island is easy to reach by ferry and makes for a good day trip.
Open hours: daily, often not open to the public and only viewable from outside
Admission: free