THE BAR HARBOR CASINO

Bar Harbor Record
September 7, 1898

A Public Spirited Summer Resident Has A Practical Scheme

That which has vaguely talked about for months and even years seems likely soon to become a reality - Bar Harbor is to have a Casino.  Some weeks since Gardiner Sherman sounded the sentiment of a number of the prominent summer visitors with regard to such a building.  The hearty response which was received resulted in the following circular which has been sent out to all who might be interested;

In consequence of the urgent demand for a Casino establishment in the village of Bar Harbor, the following plan for one is proposed and submitted;
1.  The association to be incorporated with a capital stock of $150,000 of 150 shares of a par value of $1,000 each.
2.  Subscriptions to the capital stock amounting to $100,000 to be secured before the enterprise is declared operative.
3.  Stockholders to pay each season for family and guests an entrance fee of $50.

The Casino - Bar Harbor
as it stood at corner of Cottage and Bridge Streets

4.  Summer residents, not stockholders in the corporation, but who, with families and guests, are occupants of cottages at Bar Harbor, may be introduced to the Casino for the season by a stockholder, on such terms as may be hereafter determined.
5.  By mutual agreement, and in consideration of the payment by hotel proprietors of $1 a week to the corporation for each adult hotel guest, such guests shall have free entrance to the Casino.  The amount so paid to the corporation to be charged in the weekly bills of guests.
6.  Guests of hotels, the proprietors of which decline to enter into the proposed agreement, shall be permitted to enter the Casino grounds on payment of fifty cents each.
The scheme includes the purchase of the Grand Central Hotel property, the refusal of which has been obtained.  It is proposed to lay out the grounds in flower beds, with shrubs and trees, with reservations for tennis courts, croquet, and bowling alleys.  Also to erect buildings thereon to comprise shops, a concert hall, a salt water bathing establishment, a restaurant, and possibly, bachelor quarters.  A fine orchestra to be secured for each season.
It is the intention to make the Casino buildings and grounds so attractive that the corporation will be self-supporting, after the payment of at least three percent per annum in dividends to stockholders.
Please respond as soon as possible to Gardiner Sherman,
Bar harbor, Maine, August 31, 11898

A Casino establishment at Bar Harbor, as proposed is desirable for the following reasons, and ought to have the substantial support of the entire community.
It will remove from the center of the village one of the conspicuous evidences of dilapidation and decay, which has too long confronted every arrival in the place, and has been a detriment to its prosperity.
The ancient relic, an evidence of days that are past would be replaced by various structures of architectural beauty;  and the three acres or thereabouts of grounds in the very heart of the village would be made a garden spot of great attraction.
Bar Harbor is in a rut.  It is time something should be done by the well wishers of the place to lift it up to a higher plane of prosperity that the inhabitants of the beautiful island may share in the wave of progress which is now about to sweep over our land.
Among the various uses of a properly conducted Casino establishment as outlined in the prospectus for one, music would be the central feature.
Conceive of a magnificent orchestra of at least 35 pieces under the conductor ship of a Damrosch for instance, and think of the effect produced upon the outside world by its presence in our midst.  The summer population of Bar Harbor would be more than doubled;  so that the hotels, the business establishments and the whole place would revive from its long sleep, and the wished for era of prosperity with longer seasons would be the result.
To carry out the plan successfully, united co-operation is necessary.  Everyone ought to be of one mind on the subject.  It is not proposed to interfere with any established institution or custom.
The Casino idea as proposed and as stated is to be primarily a musical center.  The Casino would have its special occupation and interests for the entertainment of the extra thousands who would flock to its symphony concerts, and out-of-door amusements, baths, salt water swimming pool, etc..

ALL IN FAVOR

Bar Harbor Record

September 14, 1898

The representative men of the town met Friday evening at G.A.R. hall to discuss the Casino scheme that has become the topic of universal interest since Mr. SherF.C. man made public his plan.

John E. Bunker Jr., chairman of the board of selectmen presided over the meeting which was addressed by many of the interested summer residents and leading businesses and professional men of the place.  B.C. Reynolds was chosen clerk.

Mr. F.C. Lyman was the first to express his view which was entirely in favor of the scheme and he endorsed Mr. Sherman's plan.

Mr. Damrosch has shown great interest and suggests that musicial festivals might be held that would attract people from a distance.

Mt. Whitney is another who has been confident of the success a casino such as is planned.

Mr. Edward B. Mears made some very excellent talk expressing himself very much in favor and giving many practical ideas.

Mr. C.H, Wood waxed eloqueat in his short but pithy remarks and his talk favors a good ? common sense.  Mr. Pineo who followed him was in favor of the town voting a generous sum to aid the project.  No one recognises the need of a casino as does Mr, Pineo.  It has been a pet project of his for years.

Mr. J. Milton Allen, Dr. C. Morrison, Mr. Butler of the Lonisburg and others spoke in favor.  In fact in response to Mr. Reynold's motion for a rising vote in favor, not a person remained seated.

Mr. Lynam moved that a committee of three be appointed to draw up resolutions.

F.C. Lynam, Dr. Rogers and E.B. Mears were appointed a committee.

Mr. Mears then announced that as he was on the Mt. Desert Canoe Club's committee of a simular nature he asked to be excused from serving and J. Albert Bulter of the Louisburg was appointed/

Mr. Bulter said that he felt great sympathy in the movement and heartily endorsed the plan.

The committee retired and the following resolution was unanimously adopted and was presented to Mr. Sherman by Messrs Lynam, Butler and Rogers, Friday morning, together with an expression of the unanimous sentiment of the meeting;

"In view of the recent plan for a casino in Bar Harbor it has been suggested that some expression of opinion from the resident business men of the place would be appreciated.

To this end we would respectfully call the attention of all who are interested in Bar Harbor, to certain needs of the place to make it more attractive as a summer resort.

Bar Harbor has  unequaled scenery in its combination of sea and mountain beauties.  It is easily accessible from the great cities.

In our opinion there should be some central place of meeting for the people who assemble here from every quarter.  Some acres of land laid out, for instance, tastefully, within easy distance of the of the different hotels and cottages.  That within that park should be a building with a large concert room;  always in attendance should be the best of music;  there should be bowling alleys, shuffle boards, tennis courts and if possible a swimming pool.

A well appointed concert room properly managed, would attract the best available music and drama and thus afford some evening amusement for the casual tourist as well as those who are here for the summer.

We wish to express our sincere approval of and co-operation with the plan of Mr. Sherman to supply Bar Harbor with these much needed improvements, believing that if successful in these efforts the success of Bar Harbor as a summer resort will be greatly added to."

The prospectus for a casino corporation at Bar Harbor has been submitted, and ample time, since then, has elapsed to determine what substantial support the project might be expected to receive.  The towns people have manifested a unanimous desire for such an establishment in their midst, but the summer residents, although a large majority favor a casino, have not come forward as they should have done to make the enterprise a success,

The period for which the refusal of the Grand Central hotel property was obtained is about to expire;  therefore, Mr. Sherman abandons the project with great regret, as in his judgement an opportunity has been lost to make Bar Harbor a great musical centre, that would of added to its many attractions as a summer resort.

NOTE;  in time the casino did go on to be built and even included a roller skating rink.