The Northport Camp Meeting has its origins in the 1848 purchase of land on the shore of Penobscot Bay, which was transferred to a formal organization in 1850, made up of 23 Methodist churches in Knox and Waldo Counties.

The early years of the camp meeting are poorly documented; it is during this time that some of the features of the grounds, including Auditorium Park, were laid out.

In 1873, the organization was formally chartered by the state, and it acquired more land, with an eye toward developing more permanent infrastructure, including cottages for attendees.

Typical features include bargeboard on the gables, board-and-batten siding, and decorative sawn details on porches and other trim elements.

An 1885 store and bakery stand on Clinton Avenue, and the Bayside Inn on Bay Street (c. 1900-20) is the only surviving hotel building from the period.