The Madockawando Lodge And Annex: 1886-1917

The Madockawando Lodge was built as a 'Clubhouse' in 1886 for investors in the 'New England Land Company'.  These investors included Levi Gunn, Newell Snow, Francis McGee Thompson, George E. Rogers, Eben A. Hall and W.F. Smart, all of Greenfield, Massachusetts.  Thompson had summered in Christmas Cove but moved to the Clubhouse in August of 1886 after it's completion.  The board quickly voted to open the building as an Inn the following summer and changed the name to Madockawando Lodge, in honor of an Indian Chief from the 18th century.   The following year (1887)  an 'Annex' was built to increase capacity.  The Annex was located on the top of the hill between the present-day croquet and tennis courts.  

The hotel and annex were managed by many people over the years:

1887-1889: Walter Gunn (son of Levi) and others.

1890-1899: Edwin Rogers, uncle of George E. Rogers. View his Promotional Brochure from 1890. 

1900-1902: Several different people including Albion P. Gamage of South Bristol

1903-1905: Sarah Butler, who built Ledgemere (Armstrong) Cottage in 1906.  View her Promotional Brochure. 

1906-1909 Arthur Race of Boothbay, son of Alfred Race, captain of the Steamship Enterprise that made daily stops at heron during the Hotel era.

1910-1913: W. R. Bucknam.   View his Promotional Brochure.  

1914: Hotel not open for business

1915-1917: Andrew Rolaw. 

The Hotel and Annex burned to the ground on September 6, 1917, Never to be rebuilt.  Listen to Sarah and Harold Elley's first-hand account of the Hotel/Annex fire.

Hotel and Annex Photo Gallery

Detailed History of the Hotel and Annex