Dunbar Cottage - A Family Tradition

The Dunbar is one of four cottages on Hall’s Cove that were owned by the Flemming/Baines families. The first two were purchased in 1938.  Carmen and Fred Flemming spent summers here climbing the rocks, boating to Eben Island, fishing, swimming, searching for sea glass and crabs on the low tide beaches. The family raised the flag, took a home movie of the view of the cove, and took their portrait on the beach under the lighthouse.

The Dunbar was the last cottage the family purchased from a retired minister for whom the cottage is named.  At ninety-three, Dr. Dunbar said to Carmen, “I’m getting too old to spend winters here; you’ll have to buy this place.” Carved into the original mantel of this cottage is the letter “D” for Dunbar. 

Back then, the cottages were a “camp” with no inside plumbing.  There was an outhouse and a well with a hand-pump for water.  They’ve come a long way since then but retain their vintage charm.

Carmen Flemming Baines and her husband Bob Baines inherited the cottages and developed Island View Cottage vacation rentals.  They built a large cottage on the cove for their family and continued to spend summers here.  Carmen and Bob and the whole Baines clan welcomed guests to their cottages and made many friends over the years, some of whom still return to this special place.

When Carmen and Bob were gone and the Baines children decided to sell, Fred’s daughter Meg Flemming, and I were able to purchase The Dunbar and keep it in the family.