In the golden age of postcards, collecting was a trend, and postcards were the most popular way to keep in touch. A quick “wish you were here” was posted by early visitors to Maine, “rusticators” from the city who were taken in by local farm families. When the railroads arrived, grand hotels were ready to accommodate guests for the summer season.

 

In the late 1800s the fishing shore turned into beachfront real estate.  Cottages filled Atlantic Avenue in Wells, the Beach Street bridge spanned the Ogunquit River, and vacationers enjoyed sun, sand, and surf.