Hamblen Block facts for kids
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Hamblen Block
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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The Hamblen Block in December 2010
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | 188-194 Danforth Street, Portland, Maine |
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| Area | 0.3 acres (0.12 ha) |
| Built | 1835 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Part of | Hamblen Development Historic District (ID92000802) |
| NRHP reference No. | 83000449 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | July 21, 1983 |
| Designated CP | June 18, 1992 |
The Hamblen Block, also known as Hamblen's Row, is a special group of four historic homes. You can find them at 188-194 Danforth Street in Portland, Maine, USA. These homes were built a long time ago, in 1835.
They are some of the oldest buildings of their kind in Maine. They are also quite rare because not many "row houses" were built in the state. The Hamblen Block was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. This means it is recognized as an important historical place. It is also a key part of a larger historical area called the Hamblen Development Historic District.
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Exploring the Hamblen Block's Design
The Hamblen Block is located on the east side of Portland's West End neighborhood. It sits on the southeast side of Danforth Street. You can find it between Brackett and Clark Streets.
What Do the Homes Look Like?
The block has four homes that look almost exactly alike. Each home is three windows wide and three stories tall. They are built from strong brick.
The roofs are gabled, meaning they have two sloping sides that meet at a ridge. Brick chimneys stick out from the left side of each home. These chimneys are part of the walls that separate the homes.
Entrances and Details
The front doors are on the right side of each home. They are set back a bit into the wall. The door openings are framed by flat columns called pilasters. Above the door is a decorative piece called an entablature and a cornice.
One of the homes has a different kind of door from the late 1800s. It has two parts that open. The other homes have single doors with narrow windows on the sides, called sidelights.
The History of Hamblen's Row
These unique row houses were built in 1835. They were constructed by Nathaniel and Eli Hamblen. The Hamblens were developers who helped the city of Portland grow. They worked to expand the city westward from the busy port area.
Why is the Hamblen Block Special?
The Hamblen Block is one of the oldest row house buildings in Maine. There is only one other known block of similar age in the state. That one is in Bangor, but it has been changed a lot over the years. This makes the Hamblen Block a very rare and important example of early housing in Maine.
The Hamblens continued to develop the area around these homes. The buildings to the west of the Hamblen Block are also part of their work. Together, these buildings form the larger Hamblen Development Historic District.
