Historic Sporting Camps of Moosehead Lake, Maine

As a long-term Moosehead Lake camp owner, I've often wondered about the histories of the sporting camps on the lake. How have these camps responded to the economic, technological, and cultural changes brought by the passage of time from the post-Civil War era to that of the present day; to the changes from transportation by stage, railroads, and steamers to road networks and automobiles; to the 40-hour work week and increases in leisure time; to the impact of "back to nature" movements; and to the cultural favor or disfavor of hunting and fishing? These questions begged for exploration.

Fortunately, sporting camps at some 35 sites around the lake have evolved from the 1880s and 1890s to continue to exist today. From economic necessity, all current camps, even those that have existed for 100 years or more, place increased emphasis on recreational and outdoor experiences aside from hunting and fishing. They have thrived by adjusting and evolving over the years to offer customer services and experiences which reflect social and cultural trends, and the ongoing development of new technologies.