Cadillac Mountain
Encyclopedia
Cadillac Mountain is a mountain
located on Mount Desert Island
, within Acadia National Park
. With an elevation of 1528 feet (465.7 m), its summit is the highest point in Hancock County
, and the highest within 25 miles (40 km) of a coastline on the U.S. East Coast
as well as down to the Yucatán Peninsula
.
. In 1688, De la Mothe requested and received from the Governor of New France
a parcel of land in an area known as Donaquec which included part of the Donaquec River (now the Union River
) and the island of Mount Desert in the present-day U.S. state of Maine. Antoine Laumet de La Mothe, a shameless self-promoter who had already appropriated the "de la Mothe" portion of his name from a local nobleman in his native Picardy
, thereafter referred to himself as Antoine de la Mothe, sieur de Cadillac, Donaquec, and Mount Desert.
From 1883 until 1893 the Green Mountain Cog Railway
ran to the summit to take visitors to the Green Mountain Hotel on the summit. The hotel was burned down in 1895. Also in 1895, the cog train was sold to the Mount Washington Cog Railway in New Hampshire.
trails to the summit of Cadillac Mountain, some more challenging than others. There is also a paved road to the top.
Cadillac Mountain is commonly believed to be the first location in the United States
to be struck by the sun's rays each morning. Driving or hiking to the summit of Cadillac Mountain to see "the nation's first sunrise" is a popular activity among visitors of Acadia National Park. However, Cadillac only sees the first sunrise in the fall and winter, when the sun rises south of due east. During most of the spring and summer, the sun rises first on Mars Hill
, 150 miles (241.4 km) to the northeast. For a few weeks around the equinox
es, the sun rises first at West Quoddy Head in Lubec, Maine
, the easternmost town in the United States.
On a clear day, it is possible to see Mount Katahdin
, Maine's highest mountain, to the north and the Canadian province of Nova Scotia
to the east, both over one hundred miles away.
Mountain
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located on Mount Desert Island
Mount Desert Island
Mount Desert Island , in Hancock County, Maine, is the largest island off the coast of Maine. With an area of it is the 6th largest island in the contiguous United States. Though it is often claimed to be the third largest island on the eastern seaboard of the United States, it is actually second...
, within Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park is a National Park located in the U.S. state of Maine. It reserves much of Mount Desert Island, and associated smaller islands, off the Atlantic coast...
. With an elevation of 1528 feet (465.7 m), its summit is the highest point in Hancock County
Hancock County, Maine
Hancock County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maine. As of 2010, the population was 54,418. Its county seat is Ellsworth. It was incorporated on June 25, 1789...
, and the highest within 25 miles (40 km) of a coastline on the U.S. East Coast
East Coast of the United States
The East Coast of the United States, also known as the Eastern Seaboard, refers to the easternmost coastal states in the United States, which touch the Atlantic Ocean and stretch up to Canada. The term includes the U.S...
as well as down to the Yucatán Peninsula
Yucatán Peninsula
The Yucatán Peninsula, in southeastern Mexico, separates the Caribbean Sea from the Gulf of Mexico, with the northern coastline on the Yucatán Channel...
.
History
Before being renamed in 1918, the mountain had been called Green Mountain. The new name honors the French explorer and adventurer, Antoine Laumet de La Mothe, sieur de CadillacAntoine Laumet de La Mothe, sieur de Cadillac
Antoine Laumet de La Mothe, sieur de Cadillac was a French explorer and adventurer in New France, now an area of North America stretching from Eastern Canada in the north to Louisiana in the south. Rising from a modest beginning in Acadia in 1683 as an explorer, trapper, and a trader of alcohol...
. In 1688, De la Mothe requested and received from the Governor of New France
New France
New France was the area colonized by France in North America during a period beginning with the exploration of the Saint Lawrence River by Jacques Cartier in 1534 and ending with the cession of New France to Spain and Great Britain in 1763...
a parcel of land in an area known as Donaquec which included part of the Donaquec River (now the Union River
Union River (Maine)
The Union River is a river that runs through Ellsworth, Maine. In the colonial era, it was known as the Mount Desert River.The river forms at the north end of Graham Lake at the confluence of the river's East and West branches , on the border of the towns of Mariaville and Waltham...
) and the island of Mount Desert in the present-day U.S. state of Maine. Antoine Laumet de La Mothe, a shameless self-promoter who had already appropriated the "de la Mothe" portion of his name from a local nobleman in his native Picardy
Picardy
This article is about the historical French province. For other uses, see Picardy .Picardy is a historical province of France, in the north of France...
, thereafter referred to himself as Antoine de la Mothe, sieur de Cadillac, Donaquec, and Mount Desert.
From 1883 until 1893 the Green Mountain Cog Railway
Green Mountain Cog Railway
The Green Mountain Cog Railway was a narrow gauge mountain railway built to carry tourists to the top of Green Mountain on Mount Desert Island in Maine.- History :...
ran to the summit to take visitors to the Green Mountain Hotel on the summit. The hotel was burned down in 1895. Also in 1895, the cog train was sold to the Mount Washington Cog Railway in New Hampshire.
Overview
There are various hikingHiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
trails to the summit of Cadillac Mountain, some more challenging than others. There is also a paved road to the top.
Cadillac Mountain is commonly believed to be the first location in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
to be struck by the sun's rays each morning. Driving or hiking to the summit of Cadillac Mountain to see "the nation's first sunrise" is a popular activity among visitors of Acadia National Park. However, Cadillac only sees the first sunrise in the fall and winter, when the sun rises south of due east. During most of the spring and summer, the sun rises first on Mars Hill
Mars Hill (Maine)
Mars Hill is a mountain located in Mars Hill, Maine, and gave the town its name.The mountain plays an important role in the Mars Hill community. It not only provides a dramatic backdrop for photographs, but also magnificent views from atop its peak. It overlooks the Saint John Valley, in which Mars...
, 150 miles (241.4 km) to the northeast. For a few weeks around the equinox
Equinox
An equinox occurs twice a year, when the tilt of the Earth's axis is inclined neither away from nor towards the Sun, the center of the Sun being in the same plane as the Earth's equator...
es, the sun rises first at West Quoddy Head in Lubec, Maine
Lubec, Maine
Lubec is a town in Washington County, Maine, United States. The population was 1,652 at the 2000 census. Lubec is the easternmost town in the contiguous United States . However, the Aleutian Islands in Alaska extend into the eastern hemisphere, and if territories are included, Point Udall in the...
, the easternmost town in the United States.
On a clear day, it is possible to see Mount Katahdin
Mount Katahdin
Mount Katahdin is the highest mountain in Maine at . Named Katahdin by the Penobscot Indians, the term means "The Greatest Mountain". Katahdin is the centerpiece of Baxter State Park: a steep, tall mountain formed from underground magma. The flora and fauna on the mountain are typical of those...
, Maine's highest mountain, to the north and the Canadian province of Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
to the east, both over one hundred miles away.