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History The Bradford Camps as they are presently known, were founded by William Atkins as far as history can determine in or about 1890. Will Atkins came to Maine from Quebec and began his guiding career in the Rangeley Lakes region of western Maine where he was prompted by his "Sports" to find an area of his own to enter business for himself. After moving into the Moosehead Lake area, he used the lakes and watersheds to explore the northern reaches of the state. Upon reaching the headwaters of the Aroostook River, Will explored the different lakes and streams that interconnect to make up its upper reaches. He followed the flow downstream to the Village of Oxbow where he decided to establish "Atkins' Camps."
Atkin's Camps circa 1904 Will Atkins had discovered a vast resource and the potential for developing what was certainly to become known as a true "Sportsman's Paradise." Atkins' Camps were but a "short trek" from the major cities of the Northeast. Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York and Boston were the origins of most of his clientele. They traveled by railroad to Oakfield (later to Masardis) where they were met and transported by wagon or buckboard the 30 miles to Oxbow and the Atkins' Hotel. After resting from their three days of travel they would be met by their guides the following morning. "Sports" were loaded into canoes along with their baggage to begin their upstream voyage by pole and paddle to overnight at the "Lean-to Camps," halfway up river to their destination. The following day, after completing their river voyage and five days of travel, they would arrive at Atkins' Camps on Munsungun Lake to begin their anxiously awaited stay which was often a month or more or the entire summer season. The Bradford Camps for these past 100 years has had but five owners, a testimonial to the quality of the resource and dedication to its guests from which it has gained its reputation for providing outdoor recreational opportunities to those who seek nothing less than the best. |
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