F 29 04 N4 Copy 1 ^ ^:<' ^ COPY A/ I jROM the mouth of the Saco River eastward to Front's Neck stretches a wide ribbon of sea- beach curving like a mighty long-bow. Sections of this great sand highway are known by various local titles, but about four miles of it — where at low tide the hard, fine sand is nearly one-quarter of a mile wide — bears the famous name of Old Orchard — the best-known and most popular bathing beach in New England. In l(j38 near the head of Goose Fare Brook, the western boundary of this section of beach, Thomas Rogers planted the first orchard in Maine. For more than one hundred and fifty years the apple trees existed, hence the name of Old Orchard as attached to the adjacent beach. 1 Hiring the early Colonial times the houses of the settlers along the shore were fretiuently attacked by the Indians and the sands were often reddened with their blood. As the longest, widest and most solid sand beach of New England, Old Orchard early became known and appreciated by health and pleasure seekers. The town now includes many permanent homes as well as hundreds of summer cottages, scores of hotels, restaurants and boarding houses. During the summer season its population rapidly increases to rival that of the prosperous cities in the immediate vicinity. Old Orchard Beach is remarkably free from undertow or treacherous quicksands, and bathing accidents are comparativel)- unknown. The solid, sandy beach presents a hard surface as the waves recede, and at every low tide becomes a natural highway lor horse and motor carriages and a promenade for thousands of onlookers and happy bathers. It is frequented not only by the tired toilers and business men from neighboring cities, but by thousands of pleasure-seekers from other States and from Canada, who annually make a pilgrimage here to recuperate with the aid of Old Ocean and the health-giving atmosphere. A short way back from the beach is the Old Orchard Camp Ground where 10,000 worshippers can be accommodated, and often are. Here several religious movements have received their initial inspiration and here earnest workers return each summer to renew their allegiance to their chosen line of endeavor. As the years go by. Old Orchard gains rather than loses in popularity. Other resorts seem to have their ups and downs, but this great popular bathing-place is pre-eminent in the splendid opportunity it affords for behold- ing the great gray ocean in its most lovable moods. It never loses its freshness or interest to those who have once felt its seductive charm. Published by L. H. NELSON COMPANY, Portland, Maine, Proprietors of Nelson's International Series of Souvenir Books. Copyrif^llf, I'.luii, liy L. H. NELSON CO. HOTELS AND I'lEK, OLD ORCHARD Tliis view, Ii.okiiig towaiil the iK-ean, shows the Ohl Orchard Hnuse at the exM^een a pDinilar promenade for thousamls of eity dwellers who here iluriufr tlie summer months to lireathe the strong salt air and;to enjoy the eleansing: lireezes direct from the threat hosom of the oeean. . '^4^ '-m* 4 ANOTHER VIEW OF THE BEACH With ^teul pifi in biiokgrountl — showing vehicles using the hard, sandy surface as a natural highway. The beach is an iileal caurse fur uuttnuuliiles, and several times the plan has been projected to hold a series of national i-acing events here. i,-S^^>. WATCHING THE HATHJIRS No beacli offers better opportiinities for surf bathing. The shore slopes very gradually, and there is not the slightest danger from undertow. Hundreds of people extract a full measure of enjoyment from watching the pleasure of the merry bathers. A SCENE UN THE liEACH Bathing is not the only attraction. Many, tired of brick and mortar, find complete rest in qnietly sitting on the sand and gazing with weary eyes at the;great ocean and the distant horizon. The sand itself is a never-failing delight to the children. Cllnrrs OF liATHKUS Aliniit tlii-ec Immlrecl thousand p.Mn.ie aie estimated to visit Old Oriliard annually. Some stay for varying periods as guests at the hotels anil li.>arding houses, and thousands come on the excaiisious continually arriving- from all parts of New Kngland and Canada. The majority of this great multitude take at least one ■■ dip " in the famous surf. SI KK AT (iOOClNS' RUCKS Tlu- full sweeij nl the sea strikes these rooks iit the font (if Iinion Avenue, and produces at times a wonderful exhibition of the ocean's force, the result of the impact, are thro\TO high in the air and during a storm the mightj- Wows may be heard for miles. Foam and sjiray, »!«Ss«S- SIOONLKiHT AT I ILD ORrHAEL) BEACH In the moonliglit the wide expanse "f IjpmiIi is truly entniniinK. The liiight pathway of the m.ionbeams, the breakers toppeil with phcispliHreseent f.iam. and the dull, regular roar "I the surf form a ciinil'iiiatinu nevei to he forgotten. :--:?:»?*. .^*r-. VIKW OF UKACll NEAR CddClNS' KOCKS OiH* i)( the tiiiest views <(t tin* bench west ol the pier can be nl)tniiHMl from tliis point. Tlie j^reat rilibon of sand strctcliing eitlu'r way presents a scene of beach beauty unsurpassed by any otlicr resort in the United States. (;(>u<;iNS' ROCKS These liimous ledges at the loot of I'nion Avenue onee sheltered a party of settlers from the attaek of a superior foree of hostile Indians nearly overwhelmed by the returning- ocean before reinforcements dispersed the Indians with a rear attack. The defenders were ULLHtRCHAKD I'IEK This great structure is tifty feet uide. It is Ituilt out over tlie ocean for more than nne-thinl of a mile. Tlie pl;ttf I II r ■^|»iH^^ Uia OrclKinl HiiusL-. Se;isli(.ri' Hmi- TWO (IF OLD ORCHARDS LEADINIi HOTELS Tlir F.ay \'ir\\ Kverott lluusir Thi' Aldine The Allierta A GROUP OF WKLL-KNOWN HOTELS ENTRANCE TO SEASIDE PARK Old Orchard's popular and attractive annisenient lesort. ;fi'Hiiiiiat^^i*Mii idMe. -■sTTi; ■ :Tf fi3?asn«frir!rv,- HOUSE»'TR0J (INK OF seaside; I'AEK'S POPUI.AE ATTRACTIONS Fust Oflic OLD ORCHARD ITBLK' Hl'ILDINOS St. .lohii Eiiiscopal Porter Mfiiu trial St. Margaret'; OLD ORCHAKI) CHURCHES Metliudist Cliiutl Advent Church KNTRANCE TO CAMP (IROUND The objective point of thousands of religious enthusiasts anuually. TABKHNACLK AT CAMP CKOUND Kurt- iiKiiiy of the great rt-Ugiims leaders of the uoiki have addressed immense audiences. It lias been tlie scene of many extraordinary revivals of religions enthusiasm, and great sums of money have lieen raised here for missionary work. Has aeeommodations for more than ten thousand worshippers. LOWKl! CASCADK THE CASCADK The inlanil .■i.niitry suirnuniliiiK <)M ()ic-li;ml Heach infhulcs many fasriuating bits iif finest and farm scenery, inilceil. Iln pii^uresque lieauty. The twii illnstrated above are notable examples. several strikini; scenes of FKKN PARK A nire park in-ar tlu' ('amii (irouud iiuU-il lor its siik-ndiU growth olyreat trees ami its Willi shruhlicry. Will I tlowers flourish in profusion aiul the number of ferns gives a peculiar appropriateness to its name. Anotheiw'Cll-known Old Orchard enclosure, where nature's charm to those anxious to escape for a time from the crowded beach. appeal strongly In this delightful park one ran enjoy the i-oolin^ o (iUILD I'AKK rean breezes and the comforts of proximity to_the'seashore_\vithont sacrihcing; the welcome shade and velvet carpet of Nature's woods. ANOTHER SCJ;NK IN (HIILD PARK KoCKS AT I'ROUT'S NECK Prout's Neek east of Old Orchard, ftel.- n| Maine. The sea view WOOD ISLAND LKiHT This picturesque l)j;lit stands on Wood Island, located at the mouth of the Saco River, west of Old Orchard. Wood Island «as so named from the many trees which once covered it. The light is sixty-two feet above the ocean and is visible for thirteen miles. It shows a red light flashing every minute. 'v^'' '■■■ ■'>!■ ■^l':'''* \ LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 013 995 650 3, Conserration Resources Lig-Free® Type I Ph 8.5, Buffered