Maine Places to Love: Willard Beach

Willard Beach, on the east side of South Portland, is not only a sweet, family-friendly destination with engaging views of Casco Bay islands, Spring Point Ledge, and boat traffic. It’s also a wonderful and walkable neighborhood that includes the shops of Willard Square, and the Spring Point Shoreway. Traditionally a fishermen’s haven, Willard Beach has for a number of years now been one of Maine’s most sought-after residential locations.

Four acres: The size of sandy and pebbly Willard Beach, which occupies Simonton Cove between Fisherman’s Point and the Southern Maine Community College campus. (southportland.org)
Opened June 9, 1896: The Willard Beach Casino, a trolley destination that cost $30,000 to build and featured a dance hall, a bathhouse, a bowling alley and an orchestrian (automatic pipe organ) burned in January 1898. (mainememory.net)
75 vehicles: Capacity of the Willard Beach parking lot on Willow Street. (southportland.org)
A century old: The Scratch Bakery Co. building in Willard Square dates to 1918 and has previously served as “an A&P grocery, a pharmacy, a heating company, a children’s clothing store, and others lost in time.” (scratchbakingco.com)
Dog days: Between May 1 and Sept. 30, dogs are allowed on the beach only before 9 a.m. and after 7 p.m. (southportland.org)
Getcher sandwitches!: The Willard Haven Hotel, whose sign promised “PIZZA, SANDWITCHES, SOFT DRINKS,” was razed and burned in 1967. (mainememory.net)
In 1907: Willard Beach was designated a South Portland city park. (sphistory.pastperfectonline.com)
Tracking device: Willard Beach, like Riverton Park and Cape Cottage Casino, was among the popular tourist destinations served by electric railway. (mainememory.net)
Victorian rendering: Artist John Bradley Hudson (1832-1903) whose shop was on the edge of today’s Tommy’s Park in Portland, painted an evocative landscape showing Simonton Cove. (See: mainememory.net/artifact/42150)

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