Walker's Point, the summer home of former president George H. W. Bush, is perhaps the biggest tourist attraction in the town of Kennebunkport. Every year, thousands of tourist come to Kennebunkport to get a glimpse of the former president. The King's Point Inn would like to take this opportunity to give some of the history of Walker's Point to our friends and guests.
Walker's Point is a peninsula that was originally named Flying Point, because many sea birds lived and perched there. The name then changed to Point Vesuvius and became a popular summer spot, for it's paths, coves and ocean views. In the late 1800's, the 11-acre property was acquired by the Kennebunkport Sea Shore Company, and was named Damon's Park, after Samuel Damon, the Boston agent of the company.
Damon's Park continued to be open to the public until it was purchased in 1902 by a wealthy St. Louis dry goods merchant named David Davis "D. D." Walker, and his son George "Bert" Walker. Two family cottages were built on the property.
After D. D. and his wife (and later Bert and his wife) passed away, Walker's Point was kept in the family by inheritance. The ownership of the property was passed to Bert's daughter, Dorothy Walker Bush, the mother of George H. W. Bush.
George H.W. Bush has been to Walker's Point every summer of his life but once-when he was serving in the Navy in 1944-and he considers this area his "anchor to windward". In 2009, friends and family honored the former president by erecting a monument, a 6,000-lb Navy anchor, located across the cove from Walker's Point on Ocean Avenue.
We hope you enjoyed this brief history of Walker's Point. The King's Port Inn has availability for the month of June. We have premium King or 2 Queen rooms for as low as $119 a night. Each room includes free continental breakfast, free wi fi, and free parking. To make a reservation, please call us at 1-800-286-5767. We hope to hear from you.
The King's Port Inn
