THE CLIFF HOUSE - AN HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

In 1866 after the Civil War, the North's railroad system burgeoned. When Elsie Jane Weare, wife of Captain Theodore Weare, heard that the Boston & Maine Railroad was about to add a spur to York, she invested all their money in the property. With the help of her brother Captain Charles Perkins, she built The Cliff House with wood from the family timber lots, milled at the family sawmill in Ogunquit. She opened the Hotel in 1872 providing a peaceful retreat with clean rooms, fine food from the Weare farm and personal hospitality. In 1872, guests could stay a week for $42 including 3 meals a day!

Around 1910 Elsie Jane's son Charles took over from his aging mother. He modernized The Cliff House adding indoor plumbing, electric lights, a bowling alley, and even a gas pump for his motoring guests. The Cliff House thrived in the roaring 20's and survived the 30's.

During World War II the US Army Corps of Engineers commandeered the property for use as a radar station to track Nazi submarines. After the War, Charles, now nearly bankrupt and with The Cliff House damaged and neglected, decided to sell the property. There were no buyers for the 144 room, 90 acre property advertised for $50,000.

Charles turned the property over to his son Maurice. Along with Charlotte Williams, The Cliff House secretary, whom he married in 1948, Maurice restored The Cliff House. In 1960 they built the area's first swimming pool and in 1963 the first motel in a resort setting.

In 1974, Maurice and Charlotte's daughter, Kathryn assumed leadership of The Cliff House. Kathryn added 30 rooms, two tennis courts, a new swimming pool, dining room and conference facility in 1976. In 1990 the magnificent Cliffscape addition was completed. The six million dollar facility added 68 new rooms, each with an oceanview balcony; indoor pool, sauna, whirlpool, atrium lobby, dining room and 5,000 square feet of meeting space. In 1994, the original three floors of Cliffscape were completely remodeled. In 1996, the Cliff Top was renovated to become the first totally non-smoking building at the resort. In 1999, the resort entered the digital age with an electronic key system and desk lamp modems in all rooms.

In the fall of 2000, The Cliff House embarked on a multimillion-dollar renovation and expansion including outdoor recreation facilities, full service spa, and guest rooms to complete a 226 room resort. May 17, 2002 The Cliff House officially became The Cliff House Resort and Spa with the opening of the 20,000 square foot spa.

In September of 2004, The Cliff House Resort & Spa opened the Cliff Pavilion housing the guest registration lobby and a 150 seat Amphitheater. The seating system is fitted with internet and local network connections. The videoconference capable facility has two 100' diagonal screens and full sound reinforcement.