Byron Greenough Block facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Byron Greenough Block
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H. H. Hay Block
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | Free and Middle Streets, Portland, Maine |
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| Built | 1848 (expanded in 1919) |
| Architect | Byron Greenough |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 77000065 |
| Added to NRHP | March 10, 1977 |
The Byron Greenough Block, also known as the Lower H. H. Hay Block, is an important old commercial building in downtown Portland, Maine. It stands at the corner of Free and Cross Streets.
This building was constructed in 1848. Later, in 1919, it was made larger by architect John Calvin Stevens. It is a great example of the Greek Revival style of architecture in the city. The Byron Greenough Block was added to the National Register of Historic Places in March 1977. This means it's recognized as a special historical place.
Contents
Discovering the Byron Greenough Block
The Byron Greenough Block is located on a unique, triangle-shaped piece of land. This spot is found between Federal and Free Streets in the heart of downtown Portland. To its east, there's a walking area that used to be part of Middle Street.
What Does the Building Look Like?
This historic building is made of strong brick and has fancy granite details. It stands four stories tall. The main side of the building faces the pedestrian area and has five sections, called bays. The very tip of the triangle has one bay. The side facing Free Street is more practical and has ten bays.
On the ground floor, you'll find modern shops. These shops are framed by granite pillars and beams. The windows on the upper floors also have granite sills (bottom parts) and lintels (top parts). You can see decorative brick lines, called stringcourses, between the third and fourth floors. The roof's edge, called the cornice, has a pattern of brick teeth and a wooden overhang.
A Glimpse into History
The Byron Greenough Block was built in 1848 by a man named Byron Greenough. He became wealthy from his businesses, which included making hats and selling cloth. He ran his businesses from this very building until 1856.
Surviving the Great Fire
One amazing fact about this building is that it survived the big Portland fire of 1866. Many buildings in the city were destroyed in that fire. Because it survived, the Byron Greenough Block is one of the few Greek Revival commercial buildings left from that time. For many years, a popular drugstore called H.H. Hay was located on the ground floor. Later, the architecture company Stevens and Stevens designed and added the fourth floor to the building.
