I have recently posted the histories of the Old Fort Inn and Breakwater Court (now The Colony). They were both designed by architect Henry Paston Clark for hotelman, Reuel W. Norton. By the time he died unexpectedly in 1924, Reuel Norton also owned a winter hotel in Florence Villa, Florida at which he employed a number of his Breakwater Court summer staff.

Norton was born on a farm in 1857 in Livermore, Maine. His first job in Kennebunkport was as clerk at the tiny Parker House Hotel that stood near the bridge in Dock Square until it burned in 1877.

The whole block of Dock Square shops seen in the first picture burned in the 1877 fire. Norton followed his employer, Swedish-born William C. Parker, to the new Parker House Hotel on Temple Street where he continued as the clerk.

In 1884, Reuel built an 18-room hotel and restaurant of his own at the location of the first Parker House near the bridge in Dock Square. The Norton House had a boat landing along the riverside affording the Cape Arundel crowd easy access to it from their canoes.

The first Norton House was found to be completely engulfed in flames at 10pm October 2, 1893. The 9-year-old hotel and restaurant building was a total loss. This time, two Kennebunkport engines saved the adjoining buildings with aid from the Kennebunk Fire Department.

Reuel rebuilt his Dock Square Hotel immediately. The new shop sold the best cigars that money could buy. Fruit, confectionary, ice cream, and sodas were served at an elegant soda fountain. Dainty tables lined the riverside porch connected to an expanded canoe landing. The new Norton’s offered no rooms for rent, but the Post Office was moved into the eatery. Reuel performed his new duties as Kennebunkport Postmaster for 17 years along with his day job of running a successful restaurant in Dock Square.

By 1924 he had played a significant role in transforming Kennebunkport from a fading shipbuilding town into a great summer resort, famous all over the world.