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Bailey Island, Maine

Home >Seacoast > Bailey Island

This lovely island is located on the coast of Maine about 15 miles south of Brunswick, Maine at the southern most end of Route 24.  It is part of the Town of Harpswell.  The island is almost 3 miles long and less than one mile wide.  It is located about 50 miles from Portland, Maine.


History of Bailey Island

Farmers and fishermen settled the island in earlier days.  It is not farmed much now although many fishermen still work live and work on the island.  Many lobstermen still make a living on this island.  In the late 1880's, with the advent of steamships, visitors would come from Portland for weekend trips.  The island also saw its share of summer residents from more distant places such as Boston and New York.  As a result, many boarding houses and cottages were built.

The island has seen some name changes throughout time.  The Abenaki Indians called the island Newwaggin.  The first known settler was a man named Will Black and he lived on the island for many years.  He eventually gained title to the island and the name of Will's Island came to be.  He lost claim to the island to a man called Timothy Bailey (and his wife Hannah) through some illegal manipulation of the law on the part of the Bailey's.  The island then became know as Bailey's Island and then later Bailey Island.

Also see http://community.curtislibrary.com/hhs/history/townhist.htm.


Places to See on or near Bailey Island

Mackerel Cove.  A nice view whether from the top of the hill on Route 24 or in the public parking spot at the head of the cove.  Not many yachts here - just working fishing vessels.  (see picture at right).

Land's End Gift Shop
Southern most tip of Route 24, (207) 833-2313
www.landsendgifts.com
This store is found at the very end of Bailey Island.  This is a fairly large gift shop with all sorts of goodies to take home for souvenirs.  The fudge is especially good and reasonably priced.  There is a good view of the ocean and offshore islands, ample parking (unless it is the height of the tourist season), and a small beach to sit on.

Bronze Fisherman's Statue.  Located at the southern most tip of the island.  A Bailey Island fisherman was immortalized in bronze as a dedication to all men who make their living from the sea.  (see photo at right).

Cribstone Bridge.  This unique bridge was built in the 1920's and joined Orr's Island and Bailey Island - spanning Will's Gut.  It was made of granite stone slabs quarried in Yarmouth and Pownal, Maine.  It is the only bridge like it in the world and is now a historical site.  A newer bridge has since replaced it.  (see the picture at right).

Jaquish Island.  Named for an earlier settler who led men from Maine in the French and Indian War.  It is now home to a single dwelling.  Can be seen off the southern tip of Bailey Island.  (see picture at right).

Little Harbor.  Located on the southeastern shoreline of Bailey Island.  Hard to get to as it is on a small side road coming off Route 24.  A very nice cove to visit.  Waves crashing into the cliffs provide a lovely view.  There is an inn here that looks like a nice place to stay. 

Lowell's Cove.  Located on the western edge of Bailey Island.

The Giants Stairs Trail. Located on the eastern shoreline.  Take Route 24, go east on Washington Avenue.  Parking at the Episcopal Chapel is limited and prohibited on Sunday mornings.  From there walk down Ocean Street to the end to find the entrance to the trail.  For more information on this lovely ocean side walking path visit Giant's Stairs Trail on Bailey Island.

Cedar Beach.  This is the nicest beach on Bailey Island but with extremely difficult access for the public.  Just a few nice houses get to enjoy the easy access; for everyone else it is a struggle.  Take Robin Hood Road east off Route 24 and follow to the juncture of Robin Hood Road and Cedar Beach Road.  At this point you need to park your auto on the right hand side of the road before the juncture and then walk walk down Cedar Beach Road to get to a small marked path that will take you to the beach.


Things to Do on Bailey Island

Casco Bay Lines Nature Cruise.  Takes place at noon-time. Runs from end of July to Labor Day.

Tevake - Sailing Charters
Garrison Cove Road, Bailey Island, Maine
(207) 833-5531, Cell (207) 841-9125

Art Galleries and Studios in Harpswell and on Harpswell Islands
by the Harpswell Business Association
http://www.harpswellmaine.org/studios.html

List of Things to Do - By Bowdoin College, Brunswick, Maine

Community Events Calendar by the Harpswell Anchor


How to Get to Bailey Island

From I-285 take the Topsham exit.  Continue on to Route 1.  Take the first exit at Cooks Corner.  Take Route 24 South.  It is about 13 miles to Bailey Island.  You will pass over Great Island and Orr's Island.


Maps of Bailey Island

Map of Harpswell Including Bailey Island
by the Harpswell Business Association
http://www.harpswellmaine.org/hba_imagemap.html

Map of Harpswell, Maine by Harpswell Festival
http://www.harpswellfestival.org/directions/directions.htm

Google Map of Bailey Island
http://maps.google.com/maps?oi=map&q=Bailey+Island,+ME

Casco Bay Chart by BoatMaine.US
http://www.boatmaine.us/casco-chart-large.aspx

Harpswell Heritage Land Trust
Map of conserved land In Harpswell, Maine

Map of Midcoast Maine by MaineGuide.com


Websites with Info on Bailey Island

Wikipedia Page on Bailey Island
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bailey_Island_(Maine)

Harpswell, Maine Business Association
http://www.harpswellmaine.org/index.html

Town of Harpswell's Official Website
http://www.harpswell.maine.gov

Harpswell Heritage Land Trust
www.harpswelllandtrust.org

Harpswell Historical Society
www.harpswellhistorical.org/

Aerial View of Bailey's Island. Taken from a remotely radio-controlled plane. The view was filmed in the summer of 2013; altitude is at various levels up to 2,000 feet. Flight starts from Stover Point, Harpswell, ME.
http://youtu.be/DDYItq8LdEw


Places to Stay - Lodging

Bailey Island Cottage
"Bold Oceanfront with Breathtaking Views"
Bailey Island, Maine
(207) 883-6873
A fantastic little cabin with very private location feet from the rocky shore of Bailey Island.  Very neat and newly renovated.  Perfect for a quiet getaway trip for a couple.

Bailey Island Motel
Route 24, Box 4, Bailey Island, Maine 04003
(207) 833-2886

Cook's Island View Motel
2041 Harpswell Islands Road, Bailey Island, Maine 04003
(207) 833-7780
www.cooksislandmotel.com

Driftwood Inn & Cottages
End of Washington Avenue, Bailey Island, Maine 04003
(207) 833-5461
Fantastic view of Little Harbor on the east coast of Bailey Island. Has a restaurant.  No alcohol served; bring your own booze (BYOB).  Within walking distance of the Giant's Stairs Trail.

Johnson Cottages & Efficiencies
2331 Harpswell Island Road, Bailey Island, Maine 04003
(207) 833-6053
www.johnsoncottages.com

Bailey Island Lodging Guide
www.southcoastmaine.worldweb.com/BaileyIsland/WheretoStay/

Lodging on Bailey Island
www.baileyisland.com/Rentals_Bailey.htm

Log Cabin Island Inn
P.O. Box 410, Bailey Island, Maine 04003
(207) 833-5546
This appears to be a nice hotel.  Very woodsy with moose heads all around the interior.  There is a small bar and restaurant (guest only).  Rooms appear to be very nice but are pricy.

Bed and Breakfast on Bailey Island
www.lanierbb.com/bailey-island-maine-bed-breakfast.html

Sea Escape Cottages and Charters
23 Sea Escape Lane, Bailey Island, Maine 04003
(207) 833-5531
www.seaescapecottages.com

Your Island Connection
7 Aaron's Way, Bailey Island, Maine 04003
(207) 833-7779
www.mainerentals.com


Places to Eat - Dining

Cook's Lobster House
68 Garrison Cove Road, Bailey Island, ME 04003
www.cookslobster.com
This restaurant is located at the northern tip of Bailey Island.  Great views, good service, lots of seating, great menu, sells alcohol, but is a little pricy.

"BIGS" - Bailey Island General Store
(207) 833-2400


Books About Bailey Island

Bailey Island: Memories, Pictures and Lore by Nancy Orr Johnson Jensen.  Mayhaven Publishing, Mahomet, IL, 2003.


Bailey Island Business Directory

Bob Waddle - Marine Contractor
"Piers, ramps, floats"
473 Mountain Road, Harpswell, ME 04079
(207) 837-0715

Custom Carpentry Services
Ralph H. Black, Jr. - Builder
P.O. Box 4, Bailey Island, Maine 04003
(207) 833-6480

Rob Williams Real Estate
www.baileyisland.com


Buoy House on Mackerel Cove of Bailey Island, Maine.
Buoy House on Mackerel Cove of Bailey Island, Maine

 


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Mackerel Cove on Bailey Island Maine
Mackerel Cove, Bailey Island

 

Fish House on Bailey Island
Fish House on Bailey Island

Read a journal of a
one-week vacation to Bailey Island and the Harpswell Penisular and Islands.

Lobster Boat on Bailey Island Maine
Bailey Island Lobster Boat

Cribstone Bridge of Bailey Island Maine
Cribstone Bridge, Bailey Island

 


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