Eric E. Soderholtz Cottage facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Eric E. Soderholtz Cottage
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | Off W side of WA 186, .5 mi. S of US 1, West Gouldsboro, Maine |
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| Area | 2.6 acres (1.1 ha) |
| Built | 1902 |
| Architectural style | Bungalow/craftsman |
| NRHP reference No. | 92000793 |
| Added to NRHP | June 18, 1992 |
The Eric E. Soderholtz Cottage is a special old house in West Gouldsboro, Maine. It was built in 1902 and is a great example of Craftsman architecture, which is a style that uses natural materials and handmade details.
This house was built by Eric Ellis Soderholtz, who was an artist. He was known for his amazing photos of buildings and for making beautiful pottery in the Arts and Crafts style. The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1992, which means it's an important historical building.
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About the Soderholtz Cottage
The Soderholtz Cottage is located on South Gouldsboro Road (Maine State Route 186). It sits on a high piece of land that is about 2.6 acres (1 hectare) big. This land is between a freshwater pond called Jones Pond and a part of the ocean called Jones Cove.
What Makes This House Special?
The house is a single-story building made from wood and natural stones. It has a unique shape, a bit like a plus sign or a Greek cross. The roof is sloped and has wide edges with wooden beams showing, which is typical for the Craftsman style.
There's a concrete patio along the south and west sides, with a low stone wall. A covered walkway connects the main house to a smaller two-room building. This smaller building might have been Soderholtz's art studio. Inside the house, you can see more Craftsman features, like exposed wooden beams and special tiles made by the Grueby Faience Company from Boston.
A Home with History
Building the cottage started in 1902. Eric Ellis Soderholtz bought two pieces of land that offered a great view and access to the ocean. The house was first shaped like an "L," but Soderholtz kept adding to it over his lifetime. This is how it became the unique home we see today.
Who Was Eric E. Soderholtz?
Eric Ellis Soderholtz lived from 1867 to 1959. He moved to the United States from Sweden when he was a child. In the late 1800s, he became famous for taking pictures of buildings and landscapes. His photos were even published in magazines and books.
Later, in the 1900s, he became known for making concrete garden sculptures. He made these sculptures by hand, turning them like a potter shapes clay, instead of using molds. His beautiful sculptures were sold in fancy summer towns like those on Mount Desert Island and even as far away as Newport, Rhode Island.
