Bar Harbor in Hancock County, Maine — The American Northeast (New England)
The 1947 Fire
Photographed By Beverly Pfingsten, July 18, 2009
1. The 1947 Fire Marker
Inscription.
The 1947 Fire. . In October 1947 a series of fires lasting 26 days blazed across more than 25 square miles of Mount Desert Island. The fire seriously threatened Bar harbor, and transformed most of the landscape before you into an apparent wasteland. It consumed 170 homes of year-round residents. Over 60 summer mansions burned, leaving only chimneys and garden statues standing. One-third of the park woodlands burned before the flames died at the ocean's edge., A forest of birch, aspen, and other hardwoods emerged where the charred stumps of spruce and fir trees can still be found. In time, these fast-growing species may be replaced by others until, perhaps,, spruce and fir dominate again. Natural cycles will always create a mosaic of different forest types across the island, but the Fire of 1947 stands out as a singular and powerful force of change.
In October 1947 a series of fires lasting 26 days blazed across more than 25 square miles of Mount Desert Island. The fire seriously threatened Bar harbor, and transformed most of the landscape before you into an apparent wasteland. It consumed 170 homes of year-round residents. Over 60 summer mansions burned, leaving only chimneys and garden statues standing. One-third of the park woodlands burned before the flames died at the ocean's edge.
A forest of birch, aspen, and other hardwoods emerged where the charred stumps of spruce and fir trees can still be found. In time, these fast-growing species may be replaced by others until, perhaps,, spruce and fir dominate again. Natural cycles will always create a mosaic of different forest types across the island, but the Fire of 1947 stands out as a singular and powerful force of change.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Disasters. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1947.
Location. 44° 23.06′ N, 68° 13.768′ W. Marker is in Bar Harbor, Maine, in Hancock County. Marker is on Paradise Hill Rd, on the left. Marker is in pull-off of Acadia National Park loop. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bar Harbor ME 04609, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Signs of the Seasons (approx. one mile away); The Kedge (approx.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on December 13, 2009, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,538 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on December 13, 2009, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.
