I keep an eye on the antique real estate for sale in Kennebunkport because that sometimes gets me a modern sneak peek inside one of these old gems. It might not surprise you to learn that I love old buildings. There are currently two condo units for sale in the 1886 Bickford House and it got me thinking about the history of that hotel.

John Bickford started building an 80 x 60 foot 4-story boarding house at Cape Arundel in the spring of 1886. It was built with 35 guest rooms that housed up to 60 guests at a time. According to advertising in The Wave, it was “finely located so as to command a magnificent ocean view.” During the second season, the hotel boasted that all their guests had participated in a very successful bean bag and soap bubble party, whatever that is. Apparently, the clerk, “John Bickford’s handsome and accomplished daughter, Mrs. Lizzie Tripp,” went to great lengths to make her guests laugh.

As proprietor of one of the best patronized hotels at Cape Arundel Mr. Bickford added 20 guest rooms in 1895. He finally retired in 1901, selling his hotel to Saco music teacher, Miss Lizzie Stone Cleaves. She tried to change the name of the hotel to The Arlington right away but everyone continued for 2 more seasons to call it The Bickford House. The name Bickford may sound familiar to you. John W. Bickford was born in Cape Porpoise on what is still called Bickford Island, which is named after his father. John W. Bickford also had a famous grandson. Movie and TV actor Charles Bickford was thrice nominated for an Academy Award.

The name The Arlington finally started being widely used in 1903 under the ownership of Lizzie Cleaves. She owned the hotel until Mrs. L.S. Mahoney took over in 1913. James B. Yates bought it in 1921. The Arlington continued to be used as a hotel until 1968 when Jon Milligan purchased, renovated, and converted it into apartments. Developer Maurice Gendreau renovated and sold eighteen condos in the newly named Arlington Arms for from $59,000 to $165,000 in the early 1980s.