Constructed at the turn of the nineteenth century, this one-and-a-half story cape was converted into a tea room and inn that catered to motorists along Route 1 during the rise of automobile travel at the beginning of the twentieth century. Property records pertaining to the early history of the house are unclear. Local lore maintains that the dwelling existed during the 1790s, but the first historical reference to the house is in a deed dated 1815 between two yeomen. Throughout the nineteenth century the property changed hands several times and was purchased by George and Rose Pettee in 1902. Pettee family tradition notes their daughter, Frances, began a tea room after coming home from Wellesley College in 1917. After returning from World War I, George then converted the building into an inn to serve travelers. The College Club Inn is a prime example of the impact of the tourist industry in Maine, the rise of automobile culture, and its impact to local economies and the built environment.
Year Listed: 2000
For more information: https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/AssetDetail?assetID=cc36fbc4-66e8-4de0-8aa4-01e87668a8a7