The Blue Hill Inn was built by George Stover in 1892 on a ridge above the harbor on what is now South Street. The panoramic view of the harbor was spectacular. It catered to "rusticators," many of whom arrived by steamboat from Rockland. This photograph shows a group of guests or staff from the Inn apparently on a summer outing.

The Inn was designed by William R. Emerson, who figured importantly in the development of the shingle style of architecture. It had its own livery stable to help take guests to Caterpillar Hill, Newbury Neck, Blue Hill Mountain or Castine. There were tennis courts and, in the evening, the Inn’s own orchestra played at dinner and dances.