History of Tomhegan on Moosehead Lake, Maine

TOMHEGAN WILDERNESS RESORT HISTORY

The cabins were built in the early 1900's by Russell Spinney and Douglas Rollins. The Rollins family owned the property at that time but eventually sold the camp and 127 acres to Spinney. The only access to Tomhegan until 1954 was by water. In the early years people came to Kineo Station in Rockwood by train and were picked up by one of the forty foot cruisers and transported to Tomhegan. The remains of the boat houses for these cruisers can still be seen near the shore by our dock. After reaching camps, the guests were catered to by the staff. Elegant meals were served three times a day and after the evening meal, the guests were provided with a lantern to light their way back to camp. The fires were started by cabin boys and fresh spring water was brought in.

It is interesting to learn that Furguson Point was named after one of the early guests of Tomhegan. It seems that Mrs. Furguson fell in love with her Indian guide and being a lady of some means, she had several tents erected at this spot with red carpet running between them. It was here that they whiled away the summer days in romantic bliss.

After Mr. Spinney's death in 1939, the camps were operated by his wife Blanche, and daughter Marjory Spinney. Marjory was born in "Camp Diana" and we are pleased that she still lives here with us in the "Winter Camp". Marjory was well known in the area for her love of wild animals; most of the camps are named for pet deer she raised here. The deer were often seen feeding near her camp and she has pictures of them inside the camp lying on the bed and under the Christmas tree. The doe "Diana", whose gravestone is situated near the pump house, was a particular favorite. She mothered thirty-five offspring during her eighteen and one half year life span here at Tomhegan. Margie married Keith McBurnie and they continued to run the camps until 1977, when due to poor health, she was forced to sell the property.

The boardwalk, which stretches one quarter of a mile connecting all of the cabins and the main lodge, was rebuilt courtesy of Mrs. Alice Statler, to make the walk easier as she got older. She had the very best California Spruce brought in to build it so it would last.

Gradually things were improved to what Tomhegan is today, including restoration of the lodge into four unique vacation hideaways, where breathtaking views of the lakes and the mountains can be seen. A general store was added for the guests' convenience, year round water and electricity to each of the cabins.

Tomhegan also has succeeded in returning the deer and other wildlife to the wilderness resort.

This, then, is Tomhegan, Blessed with invigorating pure air and crystal clear water, it is dedicated to the notion that recreation can be re-creation. It is an oasis of tranquility which offers a real sense of nature.

TOMHEGAN WILDERNESS RESORT
P.O. Box 310
Rockwood, Maine 04478-0310

Telephone: (207)534-7712

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