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The coastal Maine home where Bette Davis raised her family after leaving Hollywood has listed for $15M

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The coastal Maine home where Bette Davis raised her family after leaving Hollywood has listed for M


Bette Davis, a legend of Hollywood’s Golden Age, left behind Tinseltown for this $15 million estate.

The 8-acre property in coastal New England has more to brag about than its glamorous past, however. The estate, located along the southern coast of Maine, boasts 1,200 square feet of ocean frontage. 

The late Hollywood icon owned the 8-acre property for nearly a decade during the 1950s, according to Robb Report. Davis gave her sprawling home the cheeky nickname, “Witch Way.”

American actress Bette Davis. Getty Images
An aerial view of the home on Davis’s former Maine estate. Peter G. Morneau

The two-time Oscar Winner’s decade-long tenure at the address began after her marriage to her “All About Eve” co-star Gary Merrill in the early 1950s. The pair went on to raise their adopted children, Margot and Michael, on the idyllic property.

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In a 2014 interview with Portland Monthly magazine, Davis’s son Michael recalled his father keeping lobster traps on the cove and arranging a local hockey team there in their coastal town of Cape Elizabeth. 

Davis parted ways with the property in the 1960s, following her divorce from Merrill. Davis passed away at the age of 81 in 1989.

Davis and her then-husband Gary Merrill met on the set of a film and purchased the New England getaway together. Getty Images
Merrill, Davis and their two children. Bettmann Archive
The for-sale estate spans 8 acres. Peter G. Morneau
The property enjoys 1,200 square feet of ocean frontage. Peter G. Morneau

The 7,600-square-foot farmhouse-style residence that sits on the property today bears little resemblance to the place Davis called home throughout the 1950s, but it still has all the charm. A double-height foyer and cherry-paneled study add grandeur to the abode, while covered porches and a fireside breakfast nook add warmth.

The primary suite, one of five bedrooms, includes a sitting area, a walk-in closet and a free-standing tub. 

The seaside oasis is topped off by an octagonal cupola — perfect for watching coastal storms roll in across the property’s granite shoreline.

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The back of the five-bedroom main house, lit up at dusk. Peter G. Morneau
The 2,000-square-foot carriage house. Peter G. Morneau

The listing, held by Bill Gaynor and Sam Michaud of Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty, advertises a large front lawn, a barn, an area for farm animals, a pond and a 2,000-square-foot carriage house. The latter, built in 2002, includes a kitchen, two bedrooms and two bathrooms.

The property last sold for $3.75 million in 2016, according to Zillow. The carriage house sold separately in an off-market deal, according to Robb Report, for $1.45 million.



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Maine

Rage Room in Portland, Maine, Developing ‘Scream Room’ Addition

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Rage Room in Portland, Maine, Developing ‘Scream Room’ Addition


For a lot of people throughout Maine, there’s some built up frustration that they’ve just been keeping inside.

That frustration can come in a lot of different forms. From finances to relationships to the world around you.

So it makes plenty of sense that a rage room opened in Portland, Maine, where people can let some of that frustration out.

It’s called Mayhem and people have been piling in to smash, crush and do dastardly things to inanimate objects that had no idea what was coming.

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But Mayhem has realized not everyone is down with swinging a sledgehammer. So they’ve decided to cook up something new.

Mayhem Creating ‘Scream Room’ at Their Space in Portland, Maine

Perhaps the thought of swinging a baseball bat and destroying a glass vase brings you joy. The thought of how sore your body will be after that moment makes you less excited.

Mayhem Portland has heard you loud and clear and is developing a new way to get the rage out. By just screaming.

Mayhem is working on opening their very first scream room. It’s exactly what you think it is, a safe place to spend some time just screaming all of the frustration out.

There isn’t an official opening date set yet but it’s coming soon along with pricing.

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Mayhem in Portland, Maine, Will Still Offer Rage Rooms and Paint Splatter

While a scream room is on the way, you can still experience a good time at Mayhem with one of their rage rooms or a paint splatter room.

Both can be experienced in either 20-minute or 30-minute sessions.

All the details including some age and attire requirements can be found here.

TripAdvisor’s Top 10 Things to do in Portland, Maine

Looking for fun things to do in Portland, ME? Here is what the reviewers on TripAdvisor say are the 10 best attractions.

This list was updated in March of 2026

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Gallery Credit: Chris Sedenka

Top 15 of The Most Powerful People in Maine

Ever wonder who the most powerful players are in Maine? I’ve got a list!

Gallery Credit: Getty Images





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Maine competition gives creative entrepreneurs the chance to win money

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Maine competition gives creative entrepreneurs the chance to win money


BANGOR, Maine (WABI) – If you’ve ever wondered what goes into pitching a good business idea, you might want to stop by a Big Gig event.

The Big Gig Entrepreneurship Pitch Off brings professionals from across the state together to network and pitch their early-stage business ideas for a chance to win $500.

Tuesday’s competition was held at the Salty Brick Market in Bangor, and it drew a lot of spectators.

“The winners of each semifinal event get $500 and the opportunity to compete for $5,000, so that can make a huge impact on a business that’s just getting off the ground,” said Renee Kelly, a Big Gig organizer.

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The winner of the competition, Colin McGuire, was also grateful for the opportunity to showcase his idea “Art on Tap,” which would connect local artists with local venues trying to put on events.

“The support tonight is huge, and it’s just giving me more enthusiasm for running with the idea,” he said.

The season finale of the competition will be held May 19th.

The location is yet to be determined.

If you’d like to apply to compete in the contest, you can go to biggig.org.

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This Monster Burrito Challenge in Waterville, Maine, Is Not for the Weak

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This Monster Burrito Challenge in Waterville, Maine, Is Not for the Weak


Are you up for a Maine food challenge, or are your eyes bigger than your stomach?

A Waterville staple, Buen Apetito has a monster burrito just waiting for someone to eat it down to the very last bite.

This thing is a beast, literally called La Bestia, and it’s definitely a mighty task for a fearless foodie.

Take on the Buen Apetito La Bestia Food Challenge in Waterville, Maine

According to Buen Apetito, if you can finish a super-sized burrito in 30 minutes or less, you’ll get the $60 meal for free, a La Bestia champion shirt, and a picture on the wall of fame. That’s not to mention the bragging rights of dominating a task few will be able to conquer.

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Wondering what’s in the burrito?

The Mexican restaurant shared in a Facebook comment on a post that the burrito is filled with “grilled chicken, chorizo, and tender shredded beef or pork. Built on a layer of seasoned rice, refried beans, and French fries, it’s melted together with a shredded Mexican cheese blend and a drizzle of creamy cheese sauce, sautéed peppers and onions, green salsa, pico de gallo, sour cream, creamy guacamole, and a bed of shredded lettuce all wrapped in three extra-large tortillas fused into one epic wrap.”

Let’s just say that this thing is packed full.

The first La Bestia contender took up his fork and knife in December 2025, but despite coming close, he couldn’t come out with the win.

As of March 2026, the challenge has remained undefeated. But you never know, someone is bound to come out victorious.

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Just note that you can only try your hand at this food challenge on Wednesday and Thursday.

Buen Apetito Has Been a Longstanding Waterville, Maine, Restaurant

First opened in 1999, Buen Apeitito has been around for nearly 30 years.

Centralmaine.com reported that the Mexican restaurant was originally located at the Railroad Square complex off Chaplin Street before moving to 99 West River Road in 2023.

A little over a year later, in 2024, Buen Apetito shared on Facebook that it was passing on the torch to new owners, including Dalia, “the heart and soul of [the] kitchen for twenty years,” her daughter, Norma, and Norma’s husband, Shawn.

READ MORE: Famous Maine Restaurant Buen Apetito Adds Powerhouse New Owner to Crew

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And it seems like not only are things still going strong, but new additions like La Bestia food challenge are only enhancing the spirit of big flavor and delicious Mexican food at the Waterville staple.

So, you think you’re up for the task of taking down a beast of a burrito at Buen Apetito? Good luck.

You Know You’re From Maine If You’ve Tried All 19 of These Foods

Here’s a number of foods associated with Maine. How many of them have you had?

Gallery Credit: Sean McKenna

The New York Time’s Best Restaurant Lists Feature These 7 Maine Spots

Gallery Credit: Sean McKenna

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