Mira Monte’s Long Lost Twin

This postcard of the Miller Cottage Inn from the 1930’s left us puzzled.  It shows a building that looks suspiciously like the Mira Monte, or Orlando Ash Cottage as it was then known.  The similarities are notable, right down to the Greek-style portico, the stacked bay windows and even the sloped driveway to the right of the building.  Like Mira Monte, Miller Cottage Inn was said to have been on Mt Desert Street.  Could the Miller Cottage Inn and the Mira Monte have possibly been one and the same? The known history of Mira Monte offered no clues.  If the buildings were not the same, we wondered, who would build a home that was virtually identical, and on the same street?  Adding to the confusion, most of the pictorial archives of Bar Harbor depict a Miller Cottage that was an entirely different building, a much larger 4 story hotel.

After much painstaking research, Bar Harbor historian Brian Armstrong has unraveled the mystery:

“The original Miller Cottage was built in the early 1880s for Henry H. Miller from Tremont. The completed cottage resembled the Mira Monte because Miller was Orlando Ash’s brother-in-law, and they most likely used the same plans and builder. Miller was married to Orlando Ash’s wife’s sister, Fanny Welch. Miller and Orlando Ash both lived in Tremont in the 1870s and moved to Eden (Bar Harbor) in the early 1880s. The Miller Cottage was destroyed in the 1947 fire.”

So, Mira Monte once had a twin just a few doors down the street!  After the fire of ’47. Mira Monte alone remained as the surviving sibling.  In the following photo from the 1880’s, both Miller Cottage and Mira Monte can be seen.  Miller Cottage appears toward the front of the image behind the tree on the left side of t he street.  Mira Monte (Ash Cottage) can be seen 4 doors down behind a home with a small tower.

The photos of the “other” Miller Cottage are of the hotel that took the cottage’s place following the fire.  The second Miller Cottage appears below.

Introducing the Echo Lake Suite!

   

Our newly renovated suite is called “Echo Lake” after one of our favorite spots on the “quiet side” of the island. As with our other renovated rooms, the suite features the blend of contoporary and traditional design elements that the Mira Monte is known for.  The suite already has a waiting list for much of the season, and we can’t wait for you to see it in person!

The Best Gym on Mt Desert Island is now open to Mira Monte Guests

 

Mira Monte summer guests can now enjoy the facilities of the Mt Desert YMCA free of charge thanks to our group membership.  Don’t snicker; the Y may not have the glitz of a high-end health club, but if you can do without a barley grass smoothie during your workout, you’ll find that the Y is far and away the best-equipped facility for miles around.

Mount Desert Island YMCA Offers:

  • Full Gymnasium w/ pickleball, volleyball, basketball, TRX and badminton equipment.
  • Indoor Walking/Running Track (16 laps to the mile)
  • Fitness Center with cardio, selectorized, Olympic, cable and free weight strength equipment.
  • Heated 6 lane, 25 yard pool with diving well.
  • All fitness classes free.
  • Discounted member pricing on programs such as personal training, summer camps and swim lessons. (subject to availability)

All programs and facilities are for men, women and families alike.  Ask your host for details upon check-in.

 

A Family Legacy

Our article in the Mount Desert Islander has received quite a bit of attention, and brought an unexpected visitor to the Mira Monte. Meet James G. Blaine V, the great, great grandson of the senator and statesman, who still lives locally. Quite a resemblance, don’t you think? Thanks for dropping by, James!

Fall Color Has Arrived

Fall has arrived, and leaf-peeping season is here!  The forests in and around Bar Harbor are alive with color, and you don’t need to travel far to experience the spectacle- just our back yard, as shown in the photo!

Mira Monte History Re-Discovered

When we first arrived at the MIra Monte, we never suspected that our unassuming cottage on Mt Desert Street would belie such rich history. If you’ve followed our blog, you already know what recent research has brought to light. Now our local paper, the Mount Desert Islander is sharing the story of the inn with the wider community: Mira Monte’s Lost History

Is the Mira Monte Ha-Ha-Haunted?

With Halloween fast approaching, we tend to get this question quite a bit. We hate to dissappoint, but in a word, no. Well, that is, mostly no…

The Mira Monte has always resonated with the sounds of happy vacationers. Nary a specter, it seems, would dare to intrude upon our festive holiday makers. If there are any spirits here, they seem to us a very private and well-behaved bunch indeed. Then again, over the years several former staff members and guests have described having a decidedly different take on things:

One long-time caretaker who spent winters alone at the house claimed to have heard heavy footsteps and other strange noises emanating from the vacant floor above.

An erstwhile cook who worked in the kitchen in the wee hours before dawn described being greeted regularly by a shy little ghost boy peering at her from the kitchen door… and of hearing the quiet laughter of children emanating from the empty dining room.

A recent guest, a self-described psychic medium, emphatically reported encountering numerous spirits during her visit, including a 19th century housekeeper keeping vigil at the top of the stairs and another “more contemporary” woman, who she took to be a former owner, in the parlor.

Another guest reported encountering a mysterious gentleman at the end of the hall who vanished before his eyes.

A live-in housekeeper turned off the lights to her room and locked her door before retiring for the night. At 2 AM she awoke with a start- the light in her closet was on and the door ajar.

So, is the Mira Monte haunted? Or are all the tales simply a case of imagination run amok, piqued by this somber time of year when chill winds rustle withered leaves and shadows fall long across the land? So much history has transpired at the Mira Monte and so many people have resided within it’s walls- is it at all possible that some former residents never left? We have our opinion, what about you?

Fish For Breakfast?


It’s an old New England tradition that we just made up! Our parmesan crusted haddock breakfast has become a real hit. Shown here with sauteed spinach, scrambled eggs and lemon caper butter.

New from Chef Bryan

Avocado Toast with Bacon, Arugula, Tri-Color Tomatoes Vinaigrette and Basil Chiffonade.

Building a Better Breakfast!

Our new professional kitchen has enabled us to offer a range of breakfast options that were never before possible! Shown here is our Char-Broiled Pork Chop with Grilled Polenta and Rainbow Chard.