For over a century, The Samoset Resort has been considered the premier coastal resort location in Maine, renowned for spectacular and expansive views of Penobscot Bay and distant islands, with the soft Camden Hills rising to the east, and the spacious grounds of Jameson Point to the west. The Samoset Resort's history is full of people having come to Maine specifically to enjoy this beauty.

The Bay Point Hotel opened on July 4th, 1889. Built and operated by Francis Cobb II, a well-known entrepreneur of the day, the Bay Point was sold in 1902 to the Ricker family, owners and operators of the splendid Poland Springs House and Poland Spring Water. Hiram Ricker embellished the L-shaped building with turrets, porches, and gingerbread decoration. It quickly became known as the grand hotel of coastal Maine. Ricker also renamed the resort hotel "The Samoset," after the Pemaquid Chief on the Maine Coast who was among the first people to greet the Mayflower Pilgrims.

In 1911 the Maine Central Railroad, who also operated the Mount Kineo at Moosehead Lake and Newport House at Bar Harbor, acquired the hotel. This was the golden age for luxury resorts, when railroads flourished and regular steamboat travel brought wealthy summer visitors to the resort for extended stays. Local newspapers carried stories about the first Roe or Maxwell automobiles to be seen in the area. Then a seasonal hotel, the Samoset staff (over 200) would sign up for winter duty at an elegant Florida resort, and return in the summer to the Samoset, Mount Kineo, or Newport House.