The Dyke Mountain Annex in Sebago has been entered in the National Register of Historic Places according to Earle G. Shuttleworth, Jr., Director of the Maine Historic Preservation Commission whose staff prepared the nomination.
The designation indicates that the property has been documented, evaluated, and considered worthy of preservation and protection as part of the nation’s cultural heritage.
The nomination narrative notes, “The modest two-and-a-half story frame cottage is the last tangible remains of a summer hostelry that once dominated the northern flanks of Dyke Mountain and Douglas Mountain. Once associated with the Dyke Mountain Inn, the Annex was built in the early 20th century to provide additional accommodations for the inn guests. After the inn and other buildings burned in 1927, a kitchen was added to the Annex, and the dwelling provided lodging for tourists.”
Still run today as a summer guest rental, the Annex is a good example of a small hostelry that provided accommodations to vacationers in the mid part of the 20th century. The large, resort style hotels became less popular, and smaller, more intimate rentals like the Annex were kept quite busy.
The narrative continued, “In the late 19th century, Dyke Mountain Inn evolved from the farms of Oliver and Kimball Dike, two brothers who had adjacent farm houses several miles to the west of Sebago Lake. The inn catered to sportsmen, fishermen and city dwellers that desired to drink in the fresh air and clean water. “
Oliver Dike left the property to his daughter Grace L. Dike in 1896, and she changed the name to Dyke with a “y” because she believed it sounded more elegant. She continued to rent the Annex when the inn was full. After the 1927 fire, Dike rented the Dyke Mountain Annex until her death in 1937.
Only two families have owned the property since the early 1800s, although Hancock Lumber Co. Inc. owned title to the farm and Annex for about 15 years. Kilton and Betty Andrew bought the farm and Annex in 1953 from Hancock Lumber and sold the property in 1982 to their daughter and her husband, the present owners, Dr. Robert and Martha Timothy.
Today the Timothys live in the updated farmhouse and still rent the Annex for 10 weeks during the summer. There is a two-week minimum rental for the Annex.
“With seven huge bedrooms, the Annex is a great choice for family reunions. We have many families who rent here yearly. One family has been renting at the Annex for almost 20 summers,” said Martha Timothy.
“I think it is wonderful that the Annex has been accepted into the registry. My mother was truly a preservationist, and she would be delighted. I hope my children will continue to keep the property in the family, and preserve it for the next generation,” added Timothy.
Dyke Mountain AnnexSend questions/comments to the editors.
