Bayside Historic District (Northport, Maine) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Bayside Historic District
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | Roughly bounded by Penobscot Bay, Clinton Ave., George St., and Bay View Park, Bayside, Maine |
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| Area | 30 acres (12 ha) |
| Built | 1850 |
| Architect | Multiple |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival, Queen Anne, Bungalow/craftsman |
| NRHP reference No. | 96001477 |
| Added to NRHP | December 30, 1996 |
The Bayside Historic District is a special old neighborhood in Northport, Maine. It used to be a summer camp where people gathered for religious meetings. This camp, called the Northport Wesleyan Grove Camp Meeting, started way back in 1848. Most of the buildings you see there today were built between 1870 and 1920. It's the biggest old camp meeting area still left in Maine! In 1996, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Now, Bayside is a popular place for summer vacations by the sea.
Discovering Bayside's History
How Bayside Began
The Northport Camp Meeting started in 1848. That's when land was bought right on the shore of Penobscot Bay. By 1850, this land was given to a group of 23 churches. These churches were from Knox and Waldo Counties in Maine.
In the early days, people stayed in tents or boarding houses. None of those old buildings are still around today. During this time, parts of the camp were planned out. This included a place called Auditorium Park.
Growing into a Community
In 1873, the camp meeting group became an official organization. They bought more land. Their goal was to build more lasting homes for visitors. They wanted to build small cottages.
By 1878, over 100 cottages had been built. They also created a network of roads. The camp even had sewer services. This made it a very modern place for its time.
Bayside Today
The camp meeting became less popular in the 1920s and 1930s. The organization officially closed in 1937. But the area continued to be a beloved summer spot.
Today, the Bayside Historic District is near the water. It stretches inland to George Street. It is bordered by Clinton Street and North Avenue on one side. On the other side, it's bordered by Sea Street.
Most of the buildings are small cottages. They are usually one or one-and-a-half stories tall. Many have a unique style called Gothic Revival. You might see decorative wood details on their porches.
There's an old store and bakery from 1885 on Clinton Avenue. The Bayside Inn, built around 1900-1920, is the only old hotel left. Auditorium Park was once the main gathering spot. The original auditorium was taken down in 1936. Now, it's a public park, along with other smaller parks.
