Our Story
The Dolphin Marina and Restaurant was established by Malcolm and Jean Saxton in 1966. It was their dream to have a small marina and restaurant and to create a gathering place for locals and visitors. Good food and a warm welcome made them a popular destination for a bowl of fish chowder and a blueberry muffin, or a cup of coffee and a game of cribbage. Their hard-work and dedication made Basin Point a place you wanted to visit.
In the early 1900's, while visiting the inn on Pott's Point, Malcolm's grandmother looked across the water and fell in love with Basin Point. Soon after, the family acquired the 14 acre peninsula and a few years later a summer home was built on the hill. Her love of the land was passed on through the years and 2 generations later Malcolm and Jean made their decision to settle permanently in Harpswell and raise their family.
An original wharf existed on the property that the family had used for recreation. It had been built from the lumber accumulated after clearing the tree covered peninsula. In the late 40's a hurricane swept away the wharf, and with its reconstruction the Marina was begun. Malcolm rented boats from the dockhouse, sold BP gas, and was in charge of OMC-Johnson motor sales and service. Jean decided a "coffee shop" would be a nice compliment to the budding Marina business and the original building was simply a counter, some booths and a grill. Over the next 2 years a kitchen and dining room were added and Dolphin Marina and Restaurant was incorporated.
Their dedication to the business and to the land is their legacy and as the business is passed on to the next generation so is this understanding. Currently, the Dolphin is in the process of updating their infrastructure to insure the future of the business and implementing eco-friendly practices to insure the future of the point. While undergoing a major refit to the marina, a new wharf, floats, and mooring system, and in the planning process of building a new restaurant, acute attention has been paid to conservation. Benefiting from efficient planning, green space has been increased by 4 acres, 3 additional acres have been preserved through a family trust, the Marina is certified as a Clean Marina, and the restaurant is taking the necessary steps to be a certified Environmental Leader.
Over the next few years many exciting changes and improvements will be occurring at the Dolphin, many of them already underway. While planning for the future there is a continuing commitment to the past.
