Beech Hill Preserve facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Beechnut Hut Historic District
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | 316 Beech Hill Rd., Rockport, Maine |
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| Area | 11.8 acres (4.8 ha) |
| Built | 1913 |
| Built by | Heistad, Hans O. |
| Architectural style | Norwegian Mountain House |
| NRHP reference No. | 03000617 |
| Added to NRHP | July 10, 2003 |
The Beech Hill Preserve is a special natural area in Rockport, Maine. It covers about 295 acres (119 ha) and includes the top of Beech Hill. This hill is one of the few in the area with a bare, grassy summit. The preserve has wooded areas, a blueberry farm, and a unique hut built in 1913. This hut has a roof made of sod (grass and soil).
Since 1987, the land has been protected to keep it natural. Today, the Coastal Mountains Land Trust owns and takes care of it. The hut, its road, and the old gate were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2003. This means they are important historical sites.
Contents
Exploring Beech Hill Preserve
Beech Hill is located about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) south of downtown Rockport. The top of the hill is 533 feet (162 m) above sea level. The preserve is shaped like an "L" and has different parts.
Hiking Trails and Natural Beauty
The southern part of the preserve is covered in woods. You can find a public hiking trail there, starting from Rockville Street. This trail lets you explore the forest and enjoy nature.
The Historic Road to the Summit
The top of Beech Hill is a grassy area. You can reach it by following a dirt road from Beech Hill Road. This road is not for cars. At the start of the road, there are two stone pillars. These pillars once held large wooden gates.
Who Built the Road and Hut?
These gates, the road, and the hut were all built between 1913 and 1915. A landscape architect named Hans Heisted designed them. As you walk up the road, you get better and better views of the land around you. When you reach the top, you can see amazing views of Penobscot Bay.
Discovering the Unique Sod-Roofed Hut
The hut at the top of the hill is made of stone. It has a special roof covered with sod, which means grass and soil grow on it. The front of the hut has a porch supported by stone pillars.
Inside the Historic Hut
Inside, the hut has four rooms. There is one large room and three smaller ones, separated by stone walls. A wooden water tank is hidden inside the building. It used to get water from a pump house. The hut has sometimes been damaged, but old photos have helped people restore it to look almost exactly as it did when it was first built. In front of the hut, there is a circular stone garden.
History of Beech Hill Preserve
The special features on Beech Hill were built from 1913 to 1915. Hans Heisted, who came from Norway, built them for the Gribbel family. The Gribbels used the hill as a place for summer picnics and relaxation.
How the Preserve Was Formed
The Gribbel family started buying land on the hill in 1909. Eventually, they owned more than 300 acres (120 ha). In 1986, about 295 acres (119 ha) of this land was set aside for conservation. This means it was protected to keep it natural.
In 2003, the Maine Coast Heritage Trust bought this land. Three years later, they gave it to the Coastal Mountains Land Trust, who now manage it. A section of the preserve, about 12-acre (4.9 ha), was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2003.
