Harraseeket Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Harraseeket Historic District
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A house on Harraseeket Road in South Freeport. It stands in front of the remains of Casco Castle
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| Location | Roughly both sides of the Harraseeket River, including South Freeport, Porters Landing, and Mast Landing, Freeport, Maine |
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| Area | 6,000 acres (2,400 ha) |
| Built | 1800 |
| Architect | Multiple |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 74000160 |
| Added to NRHP | June 28, 1974 |
The Harraseeket Historic District is a special area in Freeport, Maine. It shows us what life was like in old maritime villages. This district covers land along both sides of the tidal Harraseeket River. It stretches from Mast Landing in the north to Wolf Neck and the villages of Porters Landing and South Freeport. This historic area was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. This means it's a very important place to protect!
Contents
Mast Landing: A Ship Building Hub
The Mast Landing area was a very important place in Maine. This was especially true in the mid-1700s. Giant trees were cut down in Maine's forests. They were then brought here to be used as tall masts for ships. These masts were then shipped all the way to England!
By the late 1700s, a small village had grown up here. Most of the old buildings are now just ruins. But some important ones still stand. One example is the Pettengill House and Farm. This house is a great example of a traditional New England saltbox style home. A saltbox house has a long, sloping roof on one side. Four other houses from the early 1800s also survive in this area.
Wolfe's Neck: A Rural Peninsula
Wolfe's Neck is a piece of land that sticks out into the water. It separates the Harraseeket River from the rest of Casco Bay. This area still feels very rural, like the countryside. You can find many old houses here from the 1700s and 1800s.
One of the most famous homes is the Capt. Greenfield Pote House. This house is also a saltbox style. It was built in the mid-1700s and hasn't changed much since then. It's a great look into the past!
Porters Landing: Historic Homes
Porters Landing is on the west side of the Harraseeket River. It used to be called Bartol's Landing. This area has many beautiful old homes. They were mostly built in the early 1800s. These houses are often in the Federal or Greek Revival styles.
- Federal style: This style was popular after the American Revolution. It often has simple, elegant designs.
- Greek Revival style: This style became popular later. It looks like ancient Greek temples with columns and grand entrances.
The houses here are usually larger and have more fancy details than the ones at Mast Landing. The Lane-Porter House is quite unique. It was built as a duplex, meaning two families could live there. It started as a Federal-style home and later had Greek Revival changes. Rufus Soule bought a shipyard here in 1834. He built many ships in this very spot!
South Freeport: A Busy Village
South Freeport is located just south of Porters Landing. It has the largest number of historic buildings in the whole district. Most of the buildings here are in the Greek Revival style. You can also find homes from later in the 1800s. These often show other popular styles of the time.
The South Freeport Congregational Church was built in 1884. It is a Queen Anne style building. This style is known for its towers, turrets, and decorative details. The Ambrose Curtis House is a mix of Greek Revival and Italianate styles. Italianate homes often have wide eaves and decorative brackets under the roof. This house also has a facade with columns, like a Greek temple. The buildings of the Soule Shipyard are also important. They date back to the 1830s and show the area's rich shipbuilding history.
