With its mild summers, spectacular coastline and hundreds of pleasant lakes, Maine has been a destination for east coast urbanites fleeing stifling cities since the mid-1800s.

In the early 20th century, lumber, textiles and other industries began to leave the state, and the government doubled down on stimulating tourism. In the 1960s, the state adopted a new nickname on its license plates and highway signs: “Vacationland.”

With new interstate highways and cheap motels, towns such as Old Orchard Beach became quick and affordable getaways for middle-class families from New England and New York.

These staged tourism photos capture some of what southern Maine had to offer, from pristine lakes and beaches to reasonably clean motel rooms.