Cape Arundel Summer Colony Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Cape Arundel Summer Colony Historic District
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The residence of former United States President George H. W. Bush, the main house of the Bush compound at Walkers Point
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| Location | Roughly bounded by Chick's Creek, Ocean Ave., S. Main St., Endcliff Rd., and Walkers Point, Kennebunkport, Maine |
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| Area | 120 acres (49 ha) |
| Architect | Multiple |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival, Shingle Style |
| NRHP reference No. | 84001549 |
| Added to NRHP | August 16, 1984 |
The Cape Arundel Summer Colony Historic District is a special area in Kennebunkport, Maine. It's known for its many large summer homes right on the coast. This beautiful spot became popular in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Wealthy families from the northeastern United States came here for their summer vacations.
This historic district includes famous places like the Kennebunk River Club. It also features Walkers Point, which is home to the Bush compound. This compound has a unique "Shingle-style" house built in 1903. The Cape Arundel area was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. This means it's recognized as an important historical site.
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Discovering Cape Arundel's Historic Charm
Cape Arundel is located on the southern coast of Maine. It sits just east of where the Kennebunk River meets the ocean. The main village of Kennebunkport is a short distance up the river.
A Summer Escape for Families
The idea of turning this area into a summer resort began in the 1870s. A group called the Sea Shore Company bought most of the land. They worked to make it a popular vacation spot. The company built the Ocean Bluff Hotel in 1873. However, the area really started to grow after a railroad line was finished the next year.
More hotels were built, and soon, many summer "cottages" followed. These weren't small cottages, but large, fancy homes! Getting to the area became easier as roads improved. The Kennebunk River Club was built in 1889. It quickly became a major social gathering place for summer visitors.
Famous Architects and Unique Homes
Many of the buildings in Cape Arundel were designed by well-known architects of that time. A lot of these homes were built in the "Shingle style." This architectural style was very popular for summer houses in the late 1800s. It often features wooden shingles on the walls and roofs, giving homes a cozy, natural look.
John Calvin Stevens, a famous architect from Portland, Maine, designed several buildings here. Other notable architects like William Ralph Emerson and Henry Paston Clark also contributed. Clark and his partners designed at least 29 houses in the area.
The Bush Family's Summer Home
Many of these historic properties are located along Ocean Avenue. This road stretches along the southernmost part of the Kennebunk River. It also goes around the cape to just east of Walkers Point. Walkers Point is a piece of land that sticks out into the sea.
Most of these homes are on the land side of the road. However, the famous Bush compound is located right on Walkers Point. The Sea Shore Company sold this property to George Herbert Walker in 1902. Two Shingle-style houses were built there the following year. One of these houses was later taken down. The other house is still standing and serves as the summer home for the family of former United States President George H. W. Bush.
