Jordan Pond

Jordan Pond was a farm house with a small apple orchard and a small logging operation,  a sawmill and dam at the outlet of Jordan Pond.  In the 1870's it became a restaurant, with boat and canoe rentals and stables for horses.  In the 1890's it was bought by a realtor to entertain prospective land buyers. That venture was unsuccessful and it was bought by a couple in 1896 who turned it into a tea house. It immediately became known for its popovers and ice cream, items you can still purchase there today. 

This couple, the McIntires, owned it until 1923 when John D. Rockefeller Jr. bought it from them and in 1940 donated it to the Park.  The same couple (the McIntires) ran it until their retirement in 1945. 

The original structure burned down in 1979.  David Rockefeller, Jr.  and his fellow philanthropists quickly donated the money to rebuild, and this is what it looks like today.  

Many people from all walks of life came here to enjoy the lawn, have tea, go horse back riding or take a carriage ride along the 50 miles of carriage road.

 This picture is on the wall in the gift shop, presumably one of the early groups of picnicers.

 This carriage house is across the road from the restaurant.

Out by the pond are two rounded mountains called the north and south bubble.  I didn't get pictures of them, so am including some I got from the internet of what it must have been like to come here.

In the summer, reservations are required to eat at the Jordan Pond House.  Lines at the gift shop are long.  It is one of th most popular places in the park. 

In dedicating the opening of the new Jordan Pond House in 1982, David Rockefeller, Jr.   stated: "Acadia National Park has no geyser, no cavern, no waterfall, no natural monument, no dominant mountain or lake - not a single symbol from nature which draws its millions of annual visitors... nor has Acadia built the monumental hotel.  Nothing here like Yosemite's Ahwanee or Yellowstone's Inn at Old Faithful." He concluded that the Jordan Pond House was the most enduring symbol.

Acadia National Park is one of the ten most visited national parks in the US.