MAKE BAR HARBOR A YEAR ROUND RESORT

ICE SKATING AT THE MUCK HOLE
Bar Harbor Times
January 9,  1915

MAKE BAR HARBOR WINTER PLAYGROUND
Maine Central Conceives The Idea

Writes For Pictures

Fine Place For Winter Sports George B. Dorr Proposes Building Shelter For Skaters

(As revealed in this article, the pond known as the Beaver Pond, at the base of Champlain Mountain, was first named the Muck Hole).

Plans are on foot to make Bar Harbor a winter playground as well as a summer resort.  The Maine Central Railroad Company has conceived the plan, realizing that Maine can offer all the attractions in the line of water sports that are to be enjoyed further north across the Canadian border, and Bar Harbor of all the localities of the state perhaps offers the best facilities and is best adapted to accommodate itself to the plan.  The following letter from H.D. Waldron, general passenger agent, shows that the company means business;
Portland Maine
Jan. 1, 1915
Bar Harbor, Maine
Dear sir;
Can you assist us in securing some photographic prints showing views of water sports, such as tobogganing, skiing, coasting, snow shoeing, skating or ice boating, in your territory, or in fact any section of Maine?
We have in mind the preparation of a descriptive leaflet on winter sports in Maine, although we are handicapped through lack of pictures to run in connection with it.
If you are unable to furnish us with a few winter prints, can you possibly refer us to some one whom you think can give us what we want?
Very truly yours,
H.D. Waldron
General Passenger Agent

WITCH HOLE POND
ACADIA NATIONAL PARK

Bar Harbor, with its surrounding hills, lakes and ponds lends itself most admirably to the plan.  Its scenic beauty such as attraction in the summer months, is no less picturesque in the ruggedness of winter or when covered with a blanket of snow.  Eagle Lake offers the most excellent ice-boating as well as skating.  Glen Mary Pond is right within the village limits and a short walk will bring one to Dorr's Pond, Beaver dam pond, Half Moon Pond or Witch Hole where fine skating is to be enjoyed whenever conditions are right to make any pond suitable for winter past times.  The many hills of the vicinity offer fine opportunities for coasting and Bunker Hill at Kebo is ideal for skiing  or tobogganing.  A broad steep hill within the enclosure of the golf links, smooth, grass covered and free from stones, no better place can be imagined or more free from danger.  Into a broad field it runs off at the bottom across which the tobogganers or skiers glide carried by the momentum of the rush down the hill until they are carried part way up the incline on the other side which will send them well back to the foot of the hill.
In connection with Beaver Dam Pond just beyond Robin Hood Park and at the very base of Newport Mountain, George B. Dorr contemplates the building of a shelter house where skaters may go to get warmed up and enjoy a cup of coffee.  Mr. Dorr has in mind the idea of having a man to take care of the little house and entertain all comers free, allowing them to pay only in case they desire refreshments.  This should make skating much more enjoyable in that vicinity and call out a larger crowd of youthful enthusiasts.  Mr. Dorr seemed well pleased when told by the Times of the plans of the Maine Central.
It is interesting to note in this connection that Beaver Dam Pond, formerly commonly known as the Muck Hole, has received its name from several beaver dams, remains of which are still to be seen nearby.  Beaver use to be plentiful here, according to Mr. Dorr, who said the Indians came from all about the locality to trap them.

EAGLE LAKE
ACADIA NATIONAL PARK

NOTE;  Newport Mountain was later renamed Champlain Mountain, Robin Hood Park was in the area of Jackson Lab and Bear Brook Picnic Area, the Much Pond was later renamed Beaver Dam Pond or Beaver pond.

BEAVER POND
ACADIA NATIONAL PARK

DORR POND
ACADIA NATIONAL PARK

KEBO GOLF COURSE
BAR HARBOR MAINE