Flashback: Remembering AquaLand Wildlife Park in Bar Harbor

Nowadays, thousands and thousands of people drive by the former location of a place that at one-time area school children couldn't wait to visit.

AquaLand Wildlife Park created a lot of childhood memories for just about any kid that grew up in Downeast Maine back in the '60s and '70s. It was the area's answer to a zoo and was much loved by kids and adults alike throughout Hancock County.

Ask anyone who attended school in this area back then, and chances are they remember taking a field trip to AquaLand Wildlife Park to feed the seals, have a picture taken with a young Canadian Lynx, watch the bears, have a chance at handling live snakes, admire the mechanical animals on springs, or ride the small miniature train that once toured the grounds.

Ebay via breecath11

AquaLand Wildlife Park operated in the Salt Pond marsh area of Frenchman Bay at 1351 Route 3 in Bar Harbor, almost at the head of Mount Desert Island. It was started by the Shelton family in the 60s but was then sold to the Garber family later that decade. It continued to operate until it closed in the 80s, but not before thousands of families from here and from away had a chance to visit.

Like other long-gone businesses on Route 3 like the Trenton Drive-In, the Rainbow Roller Rink, and Kart Land, thoughts of AquaLand bring back wonderful childhood memories to many when the area was much less populated and such simple attractions brought an immense amount of joy and good times.

Walk Through These Photos Of The Famous Bar Harbor Shore Path

It's probably one of the more picturesque walks within any small coastal town in New England, and if you haven't strolled the 3/4 of a mile pathway yet, you really should take the time to do so.

The famous Bar Harbor Shore Path was created in 1881, and one can only imagine the famous and successful individuals of the past who have walked it throughout the years. Let's go ahead and join them.

See How Much Ellsworth's Population Has Grown Over The Years

While Ellsworth is the biggest city in the state when it comes to land, measuring in at almost 93 square miles, its current population of 8,399 residents ranks it #34, right behind Cumberland and before Buxton.

Here's a look at how the population in Ellsworth has grown over the past 221 years.

Categories: Articles, Bar Harbor, Maine