Jack Barnes Books

Exploring the historical significance of the Saco River, this book chronicles its transformation from a travel route for the Pequawket Indians to a hub for loggers and later summer tourists. It highlights key locations such as Fryeburg, known for its academy and fair, Lovell with its charming homes, and Brownfield, before the 1947 fire. Denmark and Hiram are also featured, showcasing notable figures like Rufus Ingalls and a Revolutionary War general related to Longfellow. Vintage photographs enrich the narrative, capturing the river's past and its covered bridges.

The book offers a pictorial history of Sebago Lake, showcasing its evolution from a serene natural landscape to a vibrant gathering place. It captures the essence of the region through images of early fishermen, travelers at local inns, and the arrival of steamboats. The narrative highlights the area's rich traditions and the nostalgia of summer camps and classic cars, inviting readers to reflect on the memories and experiences that have shaped this beloved southwestern Maine locale over the centuries.

The book offers a pictorial history of Sebago Lake in southwestern Maine, highlighting its rich traditions and the evolution of the region. It captures scenes from the past, such as fishermen seeking landlocked salmon, travelers at farmhouses, and the arrival of steamboats. The imagery evokes nostalgia with views of summer camps and classic cars, illustrating the area's transformation over time while celebrating its enduring charm as a gathering place for generations.

The book explores the rich history of Standish, Baldwin, Sebago, and Naples along Maine's Sebago Lake, detailing early settlement during a tumultuous period marked by Native American raids. It highlights the significant developments brought by the Cumberland & Oxford Canal and the Portland & Ogdensburg Railroad, which spurred tourism and transformed the area into a popular destination. With a blend of rare photographs and thorough research, it captures the evolution from humble beginnings to a vibrant tourism industry, showcasing both well-known and lesser-known aspects of the region's past.

The narrative explores Maine's Lake Region, highlighting its intricate network of lakes and waterways that shaped its identity. It recounts the adventurous journeys of early settlers navigating the Presumpscot River and Songo River to reach Sebago Lake and beyond. The establishment of the Cumberland & Oxford Canal in 1830 and the arrival of the Portland & Ogdensburg Railroad in 1870 marked significant developments, leading to the vibrant steamboat era and enhancing the region's connectivity to the outside world through the Bridgton and Saco River Railroad.

Exploring the rich history of Standish, Baldwin, Sebago, and Naples, this work delves into the early settlement of Maine's west shore along Sebago Lake. It highlights the challenges faced by settlers amid conflicts and the transformative impact of the Cumberland & Oxford Canal and the Portland & Ogdensburg Railroad. The narrative captures the evolution of tourism from boarding houses to grand hotels, enriched by rare photographs and thorough research. This book offers a vivid portrayal of the region's development and its vibrant past.

The narrative explores the transformation of the Upper Saco River Valley from a vital travel route for the Pequawket Indians to a bustling area influenced by logging and railroads. Key locations include Fryeburg, known for its academy and fair, Lovell with its charming homes and lake, and Brownfield, remembered before a devastating fire. Denmark honors Rufus Ingalls, while Hiram celebrates a Revolutionary War general linked to Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Vintage photographs throughout the book capture the historical essence of the river and its covered bridges.