History

The property for the Alden Camps was purchased in 1909 by Fred A. Alden with the intention of establishing a summer camp catering to fishermen and their families.  In 1910 there was only one cottage for rent.  By 1911 three more were built plus some tent platforms for hardy souls.  The Alden Farm and Camps was officially open for business.  Guests arriving from out of state on the Bar Harbor Express (overnight from Grand Central Station in N.Y.C.) or on the streamlined Flying Yankee, were met at the Oakland railroad station by the camp vehicle, first a horse and carriage, then by Model T beach wagon (wish we still owned it!), and later by station wagon.  In the early days, the central dining room at camp was lighted by kerosene chandeliers, and the meals featured fresh vegetables, milk, cream, and eggs from the farm.  The cottages, without electricity and running water, were in a birch grove with young pines - a far cry from the beautiful, sweet scented pine grove of today.