Preserving Memory and Views at Pigeon Hill

Pigeon Hill has been an iconic feature of the Steuben community and greater Washington County for decades – even centuries. Barbara and Craig Snapp, along with many generations of neighbors and family members, have worked to preserve and protect this landscape over the past 20 years. Acquired in five separate parcels, Pigeon Hill Preserve now almost spans the one-mile wide Steuben peninsula. Five trails bring visitors from the shore of Pigeon Hill Bay through a variety of plant communities and up to the 317-foot summit with its spectacular ocean views.

Pigeon Hill has been valuable in different ways to the inhabitants of Steuben: an early silver mine, pastureland when the land was cleared of trees, and an important observation point for the Eastern Oblique Arc, the 19^th century national survey and measurement of the eastern coastline of the United States. It was Edward Denniston, Barbara’s father, who first envisioned its potential for a protected preserve permanently open for the public. Ted Denniston came to Petit Manan Point almost every summer for his entire life – and moved to Pigeon Hill Village for his last 20 years.  He was a steward of the land before that philosophy became the mission first of Great Auk Land Trust and later of DCC.  He even tried to purchase Pigeon Hill when it first went on the market in the 1990’s.

Barbara and Craig recently celebrated Denniston’s vision by placing a bench with a plaque in his honor at the summit of Pigeon Hill Preserve. Built by DCC’s stewardship team of Ryan Mola, Jackson Wetzel, and Martha Ross, the bench was hoisted to the summit by Executive Director Colin Brown. Under a shady grove of spruce trees, visitors may now comfortably appreciate the stunning vista highlighting Petit Manan and its historic lighthouse. As Barbara commented, “It is because of my dad that Craig and I are such staunch supporters of the people and lands of Washington County.”

Barbara and Craig continue their work as chief stewards. Management of the Pigeon Hill landscape involves maintaining important ecological resources as well as cultural and historic values. Preserving those historic views of ocean, coastal peninsulas, and nearby mountains beloved by generations of visitors is a critical aspect of that management. Local neighbors and volunteers Betty Ann and Jim Listowich, participated with Craig and DCC Staff in a summit pruning party. Together they cut back a number of encroaching spruce trees and alder groves that interfered with significant views of the bays and the historic sightline to Tunk Mountain.

Donors to the Downeast Coastal Conservancy can likewise honor and celebrate loved ones in the form of a commemorative bench. For more information, please contact Executive Director Colin Brown at colin@downeastcoastalconservancy.org