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Sometime before 1784 Andrew Tucker established himself on this lot.
Of the fifteen families located near Southwest Harbor, ten lived very
near the little cove beside The Moorings. This natural protection from
the sea was then. as now, a fine place for ships as well as people to
"moor."
Indians came here each summer until the 1930s to fish and to gather
sweet grass. From the Moorings may be seen at least ten Indian campsites
as well as the Jesuit Village area of 1613.
The Main House has within it the original foundations and timbers used
by Mr. Tucker, who, as his family grew, greatly expanded it. A portion
of this structure is the oldest in town and very possibly on the island.
In 1830 the Tuckers moved to Blue Hill and the property was sold to
Andrew Haynes who once again enlarged it. When his wife passed away,
Mr. Haynes married Hanna Caroline, the "Prussian Lady". This
wonderful story is contained in Rachel Field's, God's Pocket.
About this time the land became known as Haynes' Point and was the site
of a successful ship building and fisheries operation.
The J.L. Stanley Co., another fisheries operation, acquired the property
about 1860. A windmill, constructed at the end of the wharf, was used
to pump water for the fishery. The property then passed to Erasmus Hansen,
a Swedish sailmaker, who kept it until he was drowned at sea
Around the turn of the century, a Gloucester sea captain, Mr. Parker,
bought The Moorings. In 1925, It was sold to Mr. B.B. Hinckley, who
used it as a summer home. An old barn was converted in 1937 to what
is now "The Pilot House." Also in 1937, "Lookout Cottage"
was constructed. In 1916 The Moorings was operated as an Inn, and in
1938, the dining room and lounge were added. A small house was constructed
by Mr. Hinckley's son, Henry, where the yacht yard now stands.
In 1960 Betty and Leslie King came to manage The Moorings and eventually
bought it from Morton Jenks. Their son Storey has now joined them in
the business and is looking forward to another 35 years here. Storey's
great grandfather owned The Dirigo Hotel at Southwest Harbor, as did
his grandfather. Last year Natasha Watson, our granddaughter, joined
us, making 5 generations of "inn" experience. We hope to please
you.
The Restaurant on premises is under separate ownership. Located at the
very water's edge, it overlooks the complete mountain range and great
harbor of Mount Desert. A view you will always remember. Continuous
yachting and commercial craft are at work and play just offshore at
the harbor mouth.
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