Prouts Neck facts for kids
Prouts Neck is a beautiful coastal area, also called a peninsula, located in the town of Scarborough in southern Maine. It's a special place known for its stunning ocean views and rich history.
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Prouts Neck's Past
Prouts Neck first appeared on a map made by Samuel de Champlain in 1604. He was exploring New England at the time. Long ago, this area was called Black Point because its forests looked very dark.
The first European settler here was Captain Thomas Cammock in 1631. He was given about 1500 acres of land. Over time, the land was owned by different families. A merchant from Boston named Timothy Prout lived here from 1728 to 1768. His family, many of whom were sea captains, continued to live nearby. The area became known as Prout's Neck.
Later, in the 1830s, the Libby family bought most of the land. For a while, it was even called Libby's Neck! But by the late 1870s, much of the land was sold to people who wanted to spend their summers there. The name then changed back to Prouts Neck.
Prouts Neck is also famous because of the artist Winslow Homer (1836–1910). His art studio, which looks out over a spot called Cannon Rock, is a very important historical site. It's known as a National Historic Landmark.
Prouts Neck Today
Today, Prouts Neck is mostly a summer community. Many people visit or live here during the warmer months. The roads on the peninsula are private and are looked after by local police.
Most of the land here already has houses on it. This means that existing homes are quite valuable, and it's hard to find land to build new ones. You can find many old summer "cottages" that have been in families for generations. Some of these were designed by a famous architect named John Calvin Stevens. These unique cottages show what life was like over a hundred years ago.
While there used to be many hotels on Prouts Neck, like the Jocelyn and the Checkley, only one remains today. This is the historic Black Point Inn, which is open during the summer season.
Some well-known families, like members of the Rockefeller family and descendants of Thomas M. Carnegie, have spent their summers in Prouts Neck for many years.
Fun Things to Do
Prouts Neck offers several fun activities, especially for those who live or visit here.
Prouts Neck Country Club
The Prouts Neck Country Club (PNCC) was started in 1907. It's a private club with an 18-hole golf course. It also has a putting green, a driving range, and tennis courts. There are shops for golf and tennis gear, plus a clubhouse. Only residents of Prouts Neck and their guests can become members.
Prouts Neck Bathing Association
The Prouts Neck Bathing Association (PNBA) takes care of the private Beach Club. They make sure the beach is well-maintained and follow rules for its use.
Prouts Neck Yacht Club
The Prouts Neck Yacht Club (PNYC) is located on the southwest side of the peninsula, at Western Point. This club teaches sailing to children aged 6 to 17, and also offers classes for adults.
The club has places for both powerboats and sailboats to dock. They own several types of sailboats, including 420s, Prams, and Optimists. They also have a fleet of about 8 Sonars. The Prouts Neck Yacht Club holds Sonar races for adults every week. They also host two inter-club regattas each summer, one in July and one in August, both called the Golden Cleat Regatta.
