Mosquito Island House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Mosquito Island House
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | Mosquito Island, St. George, Maine |
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| Area | 0.5 acres (0.20 ha) |
| Built | 1780 |
| NRHP reference No. | 83000462 |
| Added to NRHP | September 29, 1983 |
The Mosquito Island House is a very old and special home located on Mosquito Island. This island is just off the coast of St. George, Maine, in the Gulf of Maine. What makes this house unique is that it's built from large granite blocks. It's one of the only "Cape style" houses in Maine made this way. The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983, which means it's an important historical site. Mosquito Island is private property and has been owned by John Malone since 1995.
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Discovering the Mosquito Island House
Where is Mosquito Island?
Mosquito Island is about 2 miles (3.2 km) south of a place called Martinsville. It's also east of Marshall Point, which is the very southern tip of the St. George area. The island itself is quite large, covering about 220 acres (89 hectares).
What Does the House Look Like?
The stone house sits in an open area on the northwest side of the island. There are a few newer buildings nearby. The house is a "Cape style" home, which means it has 1-1/2 stories. It's built from rough-cut granite, which are stones taken right from the island. The roof is gabled, meaning it has two sloping sides that meet at a ridge.
On the front of the house, facing north, you'll see two dormers. These are small windowed structures that stick out from the roof. They were added to the house in the 1900s. The main front of the house has two windows with sliding sashes. These windows are on either side of the main front door. Above the main entrance, there's a transom window with many small panes of glass.
A Glimpse into the Past
It's not completely clear exactly when the Mosquito Island House was built. Experts believe it was likely constructed in the late 1700s. The way the stone was cut for the house was a method that became less common around 1750. This is different from how stones were cut for a foundation built on the island in 1830.
The earliest records about the island date back to 1785. The very early history of Mosquito Island isn't fully known. In 1995, John Malone bought the island. He is a very successful businessman and gives a lot to charity. He owns a lot of land in Maine. After he bought the island, the Mosquito Island House was carefully restored to its original beauty.
