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Poland Spring Park, Poland. By Magicpiano

Top 10 Outstanding Facts about Poland Spring Preservation Park

The Poland Springs Historic District encompasses the area that was once Maine’s premier inland summer resort, renowned for the supposed curative powers of its spring waters.

Located on the north side of Maine Street ( Maine Statute Route) in  South Poland, Maine, United States, it includes surviving resort buildings in a landscaped environment that includes a golf course, as well as the earliest bottling facilities of water distributor  Poland Spring.

The district was listed on the  National Register of Historic events in 1984. Most of the district is now occupied by the Poland Springs Park complex.

Here are some outstanding facts about Poland Spring Preservation Park;

1. The Park has been turned into a museum

After a three-year restoration project, the facilities, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, were faithfully transformed into an informative museum open to the public.

Through scientific displays and vintage memorabilia, the museum offers a close-up look at one of Maine’s oldest industries. Also located on the property is the Nettie Ricker Conference Center, originally a warehouse, which has been transformed into office and conference space.

Due to the historic impact that this story has made on American history, it’s no wonder its beautiful scenery is noted on the National Register of Historic Places. The Historic Park certainly pays homage to Poland Spring’s rich and noble history.

2. The park began as Wentworth Ricker Inn

The story of Poland Spring begins in the late eighteenth century when Jabez Ricker moved his family from Alfred, Maine to Bakerstown, present-day Poland.

Jabez had owned land adjacent to the Shaker community in Alfred and when they pressed him to acquire his land, he relented and made the land swap. Shortly after Ricker’s arrival in Bakerstown, some travelers knocked on the door looking for a place to stay.

In 1794, the family began operating an inn on the property and by 1797 opened a brand new building – the Wentworth Ricker Inn. Thus the beginning of a tradition of operating an inn on the grounds that continues today. 

3. The Poland spring was said to have medicinal properties

In 1844, Hiram Ricker, after suffering from dyspepsia for many years, went to the fields to oversee the men on the farm.

For several days he drank only water from the spring on the edge of the property and after consuming the water for ten days, he became cured of his illness. While this is not the first time members of the Ricker family drank from the spring when they were ill, this was the first time that water was perceived as having medicinal properties.

In 1845, the Rickers began sharing water and by 1859 made their first commercial sale of the water. In marketing the resort as a country getaway with recreational activities and having water with health benefits, the Rickers slowly grew their enterprise. 

4. The park has attracted tourists

The Poland Spring House, Poland, ME

In 1876, the family opened the Poland Spring House. It shortly became a popular attraction for the country’s social and political elite.

The hotel, eventually comprised of over 350 guest rooms, a barber shop, dance and photography studios, a pool room, a music hall, a bowling alley, dining facilities, a fire sprinkler system, and elevators served as the crown jewel of the resort grounds.

Its design and amenities were used to develop several other Hiram Ricker & Sons operated hotels, including the Samoset and the Mt. Kineo House. 

5. The preservation park once purchased the Maine State Building

The Maine State Building at Poland Spring Preservation Park in Androscoggin County, Maine. By Tim Pierce

The preservation Park also took an unprecedented step in 1894 when it purchased the Maine State Building from the state.

The building, constructed of granite, hardwoods, and slate from Maine, was originally constructed as the state entry for the Columbian Exposition or Chicago Worlds Fair of 1893.

Designed by Lewiston native Charles Sumner Frost, the building was purchased by the Rickers, disassembled, transported to Poland Spring, reassembled, and dedicated for use as a library and art gallery for the resort guests.

It remains as one of only a handful of buildings left from the almost 200 that comprised the grand and historic fair. 

6. The Poland park hosts Fenn Ross Golf Tournament

A golfer during a tournament. By Shawn Carpenter –

In 1895, the family opened a nine-hole golf course. One of the first in the state, after commissioning Arthur Fenn, as its designer.

Fenn was the first American-born professional golfer and course designer. He stayed on for many years as the golf pro at the resort. By the early twentieth century, the resort desired modernization. It contracted with Donald Ross to redesign the course and expand it to eighteen holes.

Ross is recognized as one of the most celebrated golf architects of all time. It is designed, re-designed, or expanded eleven courses in the state, the one at Poland Spring being the oldest. 

7. The park spearheaded the construction of the Poland Spring Bottling Museum

Poland spring bottling museum. By Magicpiano.

Before Poland Spring was a famous spring water brand, it was a celebrated inn. The Ricker family built the inn way back in 1797. It was Hiram Ricker (grandson of the first Ricker settlers) who discovered the fresh taste of the spring water at the original source.

The water was so refreshing, he drank from the spring for a whole week straight (we don’t blame him). Legend has it that he believed the water benefited his health, and just like that, a wonder tonic was born.

Ricker began sharing his fresh-tasting spring water with friends and neighbors, selling clay jugs for 5 cents a gallon. Soon, word spread throughout Maine of the water’s incredible taste — and a regional brand was born.

Water bottled from the original Poland Spring source became available all throughout the Northeast by the barrel or the bottle.

8. The Poland park gives an area for activities

The All Souls Chapel at Poland Spring Preservation Park in Androscoggin County, Maine. By Tim Pierce

The question of where to hold such an important event can be solved right here at the beautiful All Souls Chapel.

All Souls Chapel is a historic chapel at the  Poland Spring Resort in  Poland, Maine. It was built in 1912. In 1977, it was added to the  National Register of Historic Events.

The chapel was built in 1912 for use by the staff and guests of the Poland Spring Resort. It is now owned by the Poland Spring Preservation Society which also owns the Maine State Building  (from the Worlds Columbian Exposition of 1893 in Chicago).

The chapel houses a series of hand-painted windows and an Ernest M Skinner Opus 564 pipe organ. The chapel is currently used as a venue for weddings, baptisms, and other services as well as plays and concerts.

9. The Poland Spring Preservation Park was a  project spearheaded by the Poland Spring Water Company

The Poland Spring Preservation Park is the result of a $2.5 million restoration project spearheaded by the Poland Spring Water Company.

The project was driven by Kristin Tardif, Natural Resource Manager at Poland Spring Water Company.

Others included Kim Jeffery, President and Chief Executive Officer of Nestle Waters North America, manufacturer of Poland Spring(R) Brand Natural Spring Water.

10. The Park preserves the rich history of the Poland Spring brand

The Poland Spring Preservation Park was created to preserve the rich history of the Poland Spring brand and artifacts. 

Many important historical buildings, like the original Spring House (pictured here) are still standing today. This is a result of their work. Although the original Poland Spring source is no longer in use, it serves as a reminder of the brand’s history.

The Poland Spring® brand is now more popular than ever. It’s even considered the number one beverage brand in the Northeast. It might not be served on zeppelins anymore (huge bummer, we know), but it’s still sourced from natural springs in Maine.