Carriage Paths, Bridges and Gatehouses
Encyclopedia
John D. Rockefeller Jr. gifted the precursor to Acadia National Park
with much of its land area. Like many rusticators, Rockefeller, whose family fortune was derived from the petroleum industry
, wanted to keep the island free of automobiles; but local governments allowed the entry of automobiles on the island's roads. Rockefeller constructed approximately 45 miles of carriage roads around the eastern half of the island. These roads were closed to automobiles and included many scenic vistas, as well as beautiful stone bridges and gatehouses. Within Acadia National Park these roads are open only to hikers, bicyclists, horseback riders, horse-drawn carriages and cross country skiers.
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 much of its land area. Like many rusticators, Rockefeller, whose family fortune was derived from the petroleum industry
Petroleum industry
The petroleum industry includes the global processes of exploration, extraction, refining, transporting , and marketing petroleum products. The largest volume products of the industry are fuel oil and gasoline...
, wanted to keep the island free of automobiles; but local governments allowed the entry of automobiles on the island's roads. Rockefeller constructed approximately 45 miles of carriage roads around the eastern half of the island. These roads were closed to automobiles and included many scenic vistas, as well as beautiful stone bridges and gatehouses. Within Acadia National Park these roads are open only to hikers, bicyclists, horseback riders, horse-drawn carriages and cross country skiers.