Bar Harbor in Hancock County, Maine — The American Northeast (New England)

Sunken Garden

Photographed by Steve Stoessel, October 1, 2026

1. Sunken Garden Marker

Inscription. In 1903, a young Beatrix Farrand (née Jones) designed and produced plans for the iron and brickwork of La Rochelle, the remnants of which you can see today. Throughout her life, Beatrix spent most of her summers at Reef Point, her family's cottage along the Shore Path in Bar Harbor, and began her career here.

During the early twentieth century, Farrand designed and plotted many important gardens in the United States, and was the only female founding member of the American Society of Landscape Architects. Her work includes Dumbarton Oaks, the National Cathedral, and numerous campuses and estates across the country.

More of Farrand's work can be found at the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Garden and many other private and public locations around Mount Desert Island, including her collection of azaleas at the Asticou Azalea Garden in Northeast Harbor.

"Nothing adds more peace to these somewhat difficult days than the beauty of outdoor art."
-Beatrix Ferrand, letter to Charles K. Savage, dated September 10, 1957

[ Right Inset: ] Look to Your Right: The stone and copper marker was uncarthed during the restoration of the

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Reef Point property. These markers were used to create a map of the gardens, which were Farrand's living laboratory

To learn more about gardens around MDI, visit the Land & Garden Preserve at the QR Code:

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1903.

Location. 44° 23.397′ N, 68° 12.833′ W. Marker is in Bar Harbor, Maine, in Hancock County. It can be reached from West Street west of Holland Avenue when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 127 West St, Bar Harbor ME 04609, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Mount Desert Island

and in Downeast Maine. It is also in the American Northeast,

in New England,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Great North Woods,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France

and also Acadia.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking

Photographed by Steve Stoessel, October 1, 2026

2. Sunken Garden Marker

distance of this marker: La Rochelle (within shouting distance of this marker); The Great Fire / Le Grand Incendie (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); DeGregoire Green (about 600 feet away); Bar Harbor Municipal Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Cottage Era (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Kedge (approx. 0.2 miles away); Bar Island (approx. 0.2 miles away); Bar Island Path (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bar Harbor.

Also see . . . Beatrix Farrand (Wikipedia). (Submitted on October 16, 2026, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York.)

Photographed by Steve Stoessel, October 1, 2026

3. Sunken Garden Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 16, 2026, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. This page has been viewed 7 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 16, 2026, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York.