Historic landscape, open space, protected on Paris Hill

PARIS - The Board of the Paris Hill Country Club donated a conservation easement, protecting 27 acres of open space on Paris Hill, to the Western Foothills Land Trust this week; the closing took place on November 8 at Dow’s Law Office in Norway. The easement protects the open nature of the historic golf course and restricts the size and location of any future structures or additions to the current Country Club buildings.

The Paris Hill Country Club was formed in 1899, with golf initially enjoyed near Holt Spruces on Beech Hill. Few other golf clubs or golf courses were established in Maine at that time. In the 1890s, Poland Spring House and Kebo Valley in Bar Harbor were popular resorts, while Portland and Paris Hill Country Clubs were member-owned corporations.

The Paris Hill Country Club purchased its Paris Hill Road location from Ella Clark, on April 26, 1913. The Clark farm was previously owned by Henry Howe who purchased the unimproved acreage from Isaac Butterfield in the 1840s. It was a part of the old Lemuel Jackson farm. By 1850 Henry Howe had built his five bay Greek revival home on site; that home stands as the historic core of the Country Club. One of Jackson’s barns was moved on site and was connected to the home via an ell. The barn was taken down in 1915 after the Club purchased the property.

The historic nature of the golf course, the views protected to and from the landscape, and the Club’s role in the overall village history, were important components of the Land Trust’s acceptance of the easement. Martha McNamara, Director of New England Arts and Architecture at Wellesley College, commented that, “the Paris Hill Country Club, and the historic golf course it stewards, plays a significant role in protecting the open and rural landscape of this historic Maine village.”

In addition to its historic nature, and of important consideration to the Land Trust, the golf course is contiguous with the 147-acre Cornwall Preserve which is contiguous with a 35-acre conservation easement-protected parcel owned by Dr. and Mrs. Whitney. With the protection of the golf course, there is now a conservation corridor for wildlife habitat and protection exceeding 200 acres. The Country Club management endeavors to be as eco-friendly as possible, and while the nine-hole course is a highly managed landscape, the open tree-lined fairways and historic stone walls provide habitat for many bird species in particular.

The Paris Hill Country Club Conservation Easement evolved through effort of the Western Foothills Land Trust, Country Club Directors and members, neighbors of the Club, and Dow’s Law Office. Former Club President Bob Moorehead and current President Roberta Bickford are to be thanked in particular for their foresight.

Paris Hill Photo: Lee Dassler

CLUBHOUSE - Paris Hill Country Club clubhouse