The Gothic House

For the former house of this name in Brighton, see Gothic House, Brighton.
The Gothic House

The Gothic House in December 2010
Location 387 Spring St., Portland, Maine
Coordinates 43°38′45″N 70°16′21″W / 43.64583°N 70.27250°W / 43.64583; -70.27250Coordinates: 43°38′45″N 70°16′21″W / 43.64583°N 70.27250°W / 43.64583; -70.27250
Area 0.5 acres (0.20 ha)
Built 1845
Architect Henry Rowe
Architectural style Gothic Revival
Part of Spring Street Historic District (#70000043)
NRHP Reference # 72001539[1]
Significant dates
Added to NRHP December 31, 1974
Designated CP April 3, 1970

The Gothic House, also known as the John J. Brown House, is an historic house at 387 Spring Street in Portland, Maine. Built in 1845, it is one of Maine's finest and earliest known examples of Gothic Revival architecture. Although it is virtually unaltered, it was moved down Spring Street in 1971 to avoid demolition. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.[1]

Description and history

The Gothic House is located in Portland's West End neighborhood, on the north side of Spring Street, a short way east of the Western Cemetery. Spring Street here is part of the Spring Street Historic District, a cluster of well-preserved 19th century residences.[2] The house is a two story wood frame structure, with a hip roof, wooden siding treated to resemble rusticated stone, and a modern concrete foundation. The main (south-facing) facade is three bays wide, with a central projecting section housing the main entrance. That section, topped by a steeply-pitched gable, has a two-pointed Gothic arched window on the second level, and the entrance, sheltered by a Gothic-detailed porch on the first. Windows in the flanking bays are diamond-paned casement windows. The main gable in front, and smaller gables on the side elevations, are all decorated with bargeboard trim.[3]

The house was designed by Harry Rowe, a major proponent of the Gothic Revival, and built in 1845; it is believed to be Rowe's first commission in the state,[3] and is described in city promotional materials as the finest example of Gothic Revival architecture in Maine.[4] The design is based in part on examples published in Andrew Jackson Downing's 1842 Cottage Residences. The house was originally located approximately a mile to the east of the present location, closer to the city's port area. Faced with demolition in 1971, it was moved further down Spring Street and a Holiday Inn hotel was constructed in the former location.[3]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 National Park Service (2010-07-09). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
  2. ↑ John W. Briggs (December 31, 1969). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form: Spring Street Historic District" (PDF). National Park Service. Retrieved 2015-05-31. Ten Photos
  3. 1 2 3 Earle G. Shettleworth, Jr. (September 16, 1974). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form: The Gothic House" (PDF). National Park Service. Retrieved 2015-05-31. Also contains pre-move 1971 nomination. Photo (1971)
  4. ↑ Guide to the Western Promenade Portland Landmarks
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