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Circa 1900. "The beach at Old Orchard, Maine -- Ocean Pier and Hotel Velvet." Which, following the curiously inevitable destiny of beach resorts surrounded by ashtray-grade sand and literal oceans of water, "burned like oil" in the Great Fire of 1907. 8x10 glass negative, Detroit Publishing Co. View full size.
My guess, based on living in towns that took pride in their piers, is that they were used for fishing. It was also nice to just stroll out to the end of the pier and not jump in.
A cold saltwater bath was probably warmer and more relaxing than bathing in the frigid Maine surf. As for hot baths, I can only wonder what happened to those. Saltwater is very therapeutic, and a hot salt bath sounds most rejuvenating. I wouldn't be surprised if they make a trendy comeback in beachfront spas.
So many of the pictures of seaside hotels, resorts, etc have long piers extending a long way out to sea. What was the attraction?
Having spent many summers of my youth in Old Orchard I got to see a few different phases of the Pier. The one that remains there now is only about 5oo feet in length, the original was over 1600 feet long. Like many old beach resorts in the north east the combination of fire and storms are often the merchants of change.
So when did it burn?
[Funny thing about the captions for these photos... - tterrace]
I bet the "Cold Salt Water Baths" advertised were just a joy to be partake in.
[Hot also available. -tterrace]
The lady sitting all alone in the foreground, head bowed.
[Those are two women. -tterrace]
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