We’ve all heard of Acadia National Park. But how many of you have heard of George Dorr? How about Compass Point or the Compass Harbor Nature Trail?
Dorr is considered the ‘Father of Acadia’ and lived in his cottage on Compass Point, just outside of Bar Harbor. He was a lover of nature and would tirelessly make trails, buy and donate land that would later be known as Acadia National Park.
This guy loved the idea of preservation, the outdoors and nature so much, that his trustees had to squirrel away some of his money just so there would be enough money for a funeral when he died. Talk about dedication. Seriously, he was likely kicking back on his private beach, contemplating life and was suddenly like “just in case a circus peanut or anyone remotely related to a circus becomes president someday, I want to make sure there’s still a place where trees are allowed to exist.”
And yes, he had a private beach. And yes, he absolutely deserved it, don’t be jealous….ok you can be jealous. No, I’m not jealous! You are! …sorry. Where were we? Right…
George had a private cottage and a private beach which is located on the Compass Harbor Nature Trail. Walking down the trail, it is creepily obvious that the forest used to be a beautiful spread of gardens and all things awesome. You are constantly weirded out and looking over your shoulder…or at least I was….maybe I need help.
Thru the woods and down the trail you will eventually come across the ruins of his cottage. It was built in 1877and demolished in 1951 after he donated it (yup, there he goes with that donating thing again) to the park. Why on earth would they demolish such a beautiful piece of history that belonged to such a beautiful man, you may ask? Well, there was this astronomical fire that lasted a month and burned over 17000 acres. No, that’s not a typo. All the 0’s belong there. I’m talking about gale force winds, exploding trees and people having to rely on fisherman to boat them the heck out of there because for a while there was no other way out. This fire occurred in 1947, just five years after our friend, George donated it to the park.
It clearly must have been a sight to be seen in it’s day. The floor and foundation are there along with steps. And steps. And steps. Steps going up to the floor. Steps going to nowhere in the middle of the woods. Steps going down to the private beach. Lots of steps. This man must have loved cardio just as much as nature.
You know what else is still there? George. Rumor has it that the figure of a man wearing blue, peeks around the trees and just frolics thru the woods like he owns the place. (George, you prankster) Others have reported a light darting around in the forest (that’s already creepy enough, thank you very much). Some say it’s him, some say it is his very devoted caretaker. Mr. George “I love this place” Dorr actually died on the property while walking the trails with his caretaker in 1944. (See? He still donated the place even after his love for it.)
Steps….
Steps….
I did not know this location was haunted when I went there. (way to do your research, Zippy.) In fact the scariest thing I saw while I was there was the lady who asked me if I knew where the cottage was, while she was standing IN it. Not kidding. She was standing right in George-0’s living room and didn’t even know it. And when I said “uuuuum, you’re standing in it….” She didn’t believe me. I mean, I’m ASSUMING this was the ruins unless the woodland creatures decided to take matters into their own hands? Who knows, animals are pretty smart, after all.
Then there is the apparition of a young lady that people have reported seeing, who eventually wanders off into the water at DORR’S PRIVATE FREAKIN’ BEACH and disappears. Some connect this to an old Indian burial ground near the property. I feel like Mr. Dorr may have conjured up a little too much with his paranormal parties and psychic friends. Yup, he would have seances and paranormal investigations and would just whip out the Ouija board just for fun. Then after his son died, he really picked up the pace with these types of parties.
If you find the trail and visit the remains that used to belong to a man who we have a lot to thank for, be kind and respectful. And don’t forget to say hello to George.
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