Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor sits on the northeast shore of Mount Desert Island, spreading across waterfront, hills, and coves overlooking Frenchman Bay. The settlement spreads between harbor facilities, residential streets, and forested slopes that run down to the water.

Founded in 1796 under the name Eden, the settlement kept that designation until 1918. The name change referenced the tidal sandbar leading to the neighboring island.

The name recalls the sandbar that connects Bar Island to the mainland at low tide, a feature visitors can walk across on foot. This natural bridge shapes the coastal character and draws daily walkers who must watch the tide schedule carefully.

The harbor area offers several docks and water access points used throughout the year. When visiting, keep track of tide times, especially if planning to walk out to the nearby island.

A fire in 1947 reshaped the landscape dramatically, destroying large forest areas and numerous buildings across the island. Traces of this event remain visible in the current vegetation and settlement pattern.

Location: Hancock County

Inception: 1763

Website: http://barharbormaine.gov

GPS coordinates: 44.38583,-68.20944

Latest update: December 13, 2025 17:10