Summit Spring (Harrison, Maine)
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[edit] Summit Spring
Summit Spring is one of the oldest and most revered natural free-flowing springs in North America. Surrounded by the forests of Maine and protected for centuries, the spring bubbles up naturally from a rare geologic phenomenon, a bedrock-fracture at 750 feet above sea level on Summit Hill in Harrison, the highest point in Cumberland County, Maine. Summit Spring also has its own brand of spring water called Summit Spring Water.
Summit Spring Water is authentic free-flowing spring water that bubbles from the Earth with a natural purity. At Summit Spring, water is collected without the use of pumps and boreholes. Many geologists believe that these pumping methods are dangerous because forcibly sucking water out of underground aquifers can draw contaminants from the surrounding soil into the aquifer, causing irreversible damage to the water source.
Only the water that presents itself naturally is collected and bottled. Extraordinarily pure, extremely low in mineral content, and naturally sodium free, the water has a clean, crisp flavor.
The following excerpt is reprinted from a brochure in 1881: "It is on a summit (from which the water derives its name) nearly 1,000 feet above the sea, overlooking 2,000 square miles of mountain, forest, field and lake. The water of the spring flows uniformly 38 gallons per minute, at a temperature of 42 degrees F, summer and winter, and is not impaired in taste or healing virtue by transportation or long keeping. The spring is a natural wonder, and will well repay a visit; but the water will do its work wherever drank. From farm to farm its reputation spread, then to neighboring villages, and soon to leading cities" (FineWaters Media 2008).
To learn about how springs work, click here.
To view an informational video featuring Summit Spring owner Bryan Pullen click here
[edit] History
The spring's remarkable purity is documented in texts dating back to 1792. The 1905 Centennial Historic record of Harrison, says of the spring, "...to drink of God's only beverage for man or beast at Summit Spring, that fountain of life, the drinking from which will renew the youth of the old, if any such a place was ever created." In the 1800s, water from the spring was transported in 35-gallon wooden barrels, first by horse-drawn carriage to Norway, Maine, then the Narrow Gauge Railway to Massachusetts and New York, and then by ship to Europe, where it was coveted for its purifying health benefits.
In the 1800s Summit Spring water was sold as a healing tonic with claims that it relieved a host of common maladies, from arthritis to nervous disorders (FineWaters Media 2008). In 1888 the 55-room four-story Summit Spring Hotel was built to provide lodging for the many travelers from Boston and New York who came to Summit Spring to enjoy the benefits of the remarkably pure water. Patrons traveled by train, steamer, coach, and carriage to reach the famed hotel and spring. The hotel featured a double-decker veranda that ran the full length of the front and one side. The entrance of the hotel led to a large parlor with its impressive 30-foot-long Brussels carpet and massive fireplace. For entertainment the hotel also had a billiards room, music room, and dining facilities. The grounds of the 350-acre property were the sight of the first golf course in the state of Maine.
Great care has been taken to protect and preserve the integrity of Summit Spring over the years and, to this day, the water is still collected in the original stone spring house without the use of pumps or other artificial means. The original stone spring house was built in 1936. The water is gravity fed to the bottling facility located just 50 feet away. The new bottling facility is in the same place as the original wooden barreling facility built in the 1800's (FineWaters Media 2008).
Summit Spring remains one of the very few single-source natural springs—anywhere on earth—where water is collected, gravity fed, and bottled only at the source.
Summit Spring Water is one of only two spring water companies to have been awarded the coveted State of Maine Premium Grade Designation.
For detailed information about the purity of Summit Spring Water, click here.
 Original Summit Spring photo |
 A gentleman serves two youths water dipped from Summit Spring |
 The Summit Spring Hotel |
 1930s Summit Spring Labels |
[edit] Media Coverage of Summit Spring
To view Summit Spring featured on Maine Public Broadcasting Network’s special “Made in Maine” click here
To view “Wildfire” interview of Summit Spring President Bryan Pullen click here
The world-renowned bottled water website finewaters.com gives Summit Spring some of the highest marks of any bottled water in the world.
