5 historic Maine hotels you can buy now
By Zara Norman, Bangor Daily News Staff
Some of the most unique properties on the market in Maine are former hotels and bed and breakfasts, some of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The options range from fancier former bed and breakfasts that have been frequented by celebrities — and even a president — to inland hotels of a bygone era.
A turnkey B&B in Guilford
24 Elm St., $499,990
This bed and breakfast in Guilford was built in 1902, commissioned by the owner of Campbell Woolen Mills as a gift for his daughter, according to current owner Wendy Denney.
The roughly 4,500-square-foot building has changed hands 12 times since it was built and at one time was the residence and studio of photographer Steve Maines, said Denney, who purchased the property with her husband in 2019. It has been operated as a bed and breakfast for 35 years and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2023.
The bed and breakfast, built in the Queen Anne style, has eight bedrooms, seven bathrooms, and will be sold fully furnished with period antiques for an additional $20,000, said listing agent Dolly Perkins with Realty of Maine.
ON THE HILLTOP – The Guilford Bed and Breakfast location was built at the turn of the 20th century. The property is currently on the market.
This historic, Hollywood-approved Waterford inn
686 Waterford Road, $699,000
This 10-bedroom inn in Waterford known as the “Lake House” was built in the 1790s, and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The 14,000-square-foot inn, near Keoka Lake, is a spectacular example of Greek revival architecture and has a two-story, columned front porch.
Hollywood stars including Judy Garland, Mickey Rooney and Deanna Durbin once stayed at the hotel, said listing agent John Eccles with Keller-Williams Realty. For many years, it has been used as a private residence.
The former ‘Madrid Hotel’
30,31 FR29 Plan 12, Madrid Township, $137,000
Though it’ll need serious restoration to make it habitable again, this 2,600-square-foot Madrid property is an option for anyone who wants to live in a piece of Franklin County history.
Built in 1880, the home has been unoccupied for the last 10 years and needs updates as none of its systems are running, said listing agent Robert Witt with Allied Realty. But at one time the home was “The Madrid Hotel,” catering to those traveling and along the Rangeley railroad, which ran right behind the house.
The home is a “solid building” and could have up to six bedrooms once restored, Witt said, and is located near Route 4 and 30 minutes from the Rangeley Lakes region and Saddleback Mountain.
A coastal home once frequented by a president
185 Atlantic Highway, Northport, $875,000
This 11-bedroom, four-bathroom property in midcoast Maine has been used as a seasonal residence for years now, but its listing agent, Fran Riley with United Realty, would love to see it used year-round as a hotel again.
The home overlooks the Penobscot Bay and as it was built in 1800, is one of the oldest houses in Northport. In its heyday, it was an inn that hosted illustrious guests including President Woodrow Wilson, Riley said.
“President Wilson made a stop and overnight stay every time he came to Maine, which was frequently, I’m told,” Riley said.
The property, situated between the tourist towns of Camden and Belfast, is 4,000 square feet and sits on 5 acres. An additional 23 acres is being offered with the place for another $200,000.
This former hotel and Masonic lodge in Lisbon
8 Oak St., $289,500
Known as the “Masonic Building” around Lisbon, this landmark property was actually first built as the “Maine Central Hotel” in 1864, according to listing agent Bryce Hamilton with Coldwell Banker Realty.
In 1928, the 7,000-square-foot hotel was purchased by the Ancient York Lodge of Masons, and they’ve owned it ever since. Membership fees no longer cover the operating expenses of the building, so the masons are selling it.
Hamilton has received a wide variety of proposed new uses for the building, which has quirks including a huge hall with ornate masonic iconography and a commercial kitchen. Most likely, the building will become housing of some sort, Hamilton said. Though all the lodge’s systems are up to date, that new use would require a good deal of investment to make happen, he said.