City Island and Orchard Beach

A resort community once known as a playground for the wealthy, City Island rose to fame as a leader in boat manufacturing and gained international recognition for the victorious yachts it produced for the America’s Cup races. Well-known shipyards on the island, including Nevins, Minneford, and Kretzers, weathered society’s changing demands to cater to a new clientele of boat owners who required smaller vessels with low

maintenance features. With over 200 vintage photographs accompanied by an insightful text, City Island and Orchard Beach traces the transformation of this European-styled community from the mid-1800s to the 1990s. This visual journey to the early days of the island focuses on the community’s sense of purpose and its adaptability to the changes brought on by time and technology. Learn about the lives of the island’s original settlers, tour its original homes and businesses, and discover the significant role that the area played in the Revolutionary War.