This mile-long, 89-acre island is near the southwest shore of Great Chebeague Island. It has been a part of the City of Portland, the Town of Cumberland, and the Town of Chebeague.
In 1935 Hope Island, then part of the City of Portland, was owned by Howard S. Eckels and Josephine H. Eckels. The photo memoir created on Howard’s birthday for both him and Josephine, in 1935 offers a loving and simple the tribute to the island and the friends that enjoyed it and other landfalls in Casco Bay.
In 2004, then part of the town of Cumberland, the island was proposed as a site for a Liquified Natural Gas (LNG). After an initial approval by the town council, and opposition by residents and environmental groups, the project was canceled when the council rescinded its approval.
This small island within the town of Chebeague, was privately owned by one family in 2013. According to a news report, the owners “developed the island, complete with roads and several buildings, including a large home, a guest house, a chapel, horse stables and barns that house exotic birds.”*
In 2017 the island was offered for sale for $8 million. The promotion for its sale claimed,
“Truly one of Maine’s most extraordinary estates, Hope Island is a unique world unto itself.
“With the classic Maine setting of rocky coastline and crashing surf, this 86 acre island also offers a protected anchorage and sand beaches along its 11,050 feet of waterfrontage. The sweeping and elevated views are everchanging from vistas over the Atlantic Ocean to passing boats of every description.
“During the past twenty-four years, no expense was spared in creating this magical island kingdom. The main residence with numerous guest and staff dwellings provide comfortable year-round accommodations. A very substantial boathouse and deepwater pier allows convenient access to this region’s excellent boating activities. Numerous barns, paddocks and storage buildings can support a wide variety of livestock and poultry. Hope Island even features a tavern as the perfect entertainment venue. The island’s extensive landscaping includes lighted concrete roadways, stone walls, perennial gardens and eight ponds for wildlife.”
In 2019 the same site signaled “Off the Market.” with no other details.
Hope Island East Shore South End (2015) @
Hope Island East Shore Middle (2015)
Additional resources
*McCanna, Ben. “Hope Island owner Cacoulidis settles with Chebeague for $100K.” The Forecaster. August 22, 2013.
“Hope Island.” https://www.privateislandsonline.com/united-states/maine/hope-island (accessed June 6, 2019)
Friends of Josephine and Howard Eckels. Memories of Hope Island, 1935: being a compilation of Prose, Pictures and Poetry. Philadelphia, Pa. October 17, 1935. Maine Historical Society. https://www.mainememory.net/artifact/11528 (accessed July 30, 2015)