The Fire of 1947
In October 1947, one of the most devastating events in Maine’s history unfolded as a series of wildfires swept across the state. The Bar Harbor fire was among the worst, destroying more than 17,000 acres on Mount Desert Island and leveling much of the town.
When the fire reached Hulls Cove, many historic homes and buildings were at risk — including the Brewer residence (Now the Brack home) on Breakneck Road. As flames approached, water was pumped directly from Breakneck Stream to fight the blaze. Thanks to quick action and the stream’s steady flow, the Brewer house and several other nearby structures were saved.
Despite these efforts, the fire permanently altered the landscape of the island and its communities. Hulls Cove was among the lucky few areas spared total destruction. The event marked a turning point in local awareness about forest management and fire preparedness.
Following the fire, in 1947, the Brewer family sold the property, which then passed through several owners before being purchased by H.G. Skip Brack in 1983. His transformation of the property into a place of art, history, and reflection stands as a quiet tribute to the resilience of this land and the people who preserved it.