Roak Block facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Roak Block
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Roak Block
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | 144-170 Main St., Auburn, Maine |
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| Built | 1871 |
| Built by | Norton & Edwards |
| Architect | William H. Stevens |
| Architectural style | Second Empire |
| NRHP reference No. | 82000738 |
| Added to NRHP | January 28, 1982 |
The Roak Block is an important old building in Auburn, Maine. You can find it at 144-170 Main Street. It was built in 1871 and 1872. This building was special because it combined shops and places for making things. When it was built, it was the biggest commercial building in all of Maine. Because of its history, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.
Contents
About the Roak Block
The Roak Block is on the east side of Main Street in Auburn. This street is a busy area for businesses. The building is long and made of brick and stone. It has 3 and a half stories.
Building Design
The roof of the Roak Block is a special type called a mansard roof. This roof style has a steep slope. It also has windows called dormers sticking out. These dormers allow for a full fourth floor in the attic.
The building is very long, with 36 sections. These sections are grouped into nine parts, each with four window areas. On the ground floor, most sections have a shop entrance. The middle section has the main entrance to the building's lobby. Each shop usually has display windows with a door set back a bit.
Windows and Details
The windows on the second floor are rounded at the top. They have special stone pieces above them. A thin stone line runs below these windows. The windows on the third floor are shaped differently, with a flatter arch. They are similar to the second-floor windows otherwise. The windows on the roof (dormers) have small pointed roofs over them.
History of the Roak Block
The Roak Block was built between 1871 and 1872. It was designed by an architect named William H. Stevens. He worked for a company in Lewiston, Maine. The building was made for Jacob Roak. He was a shoe maker and a very important businessman in Auburn.
A Big Building for Its Time
When the Roak Block was finished, it was the largest building of its kind in Maine. It was built to help new businesses grow. The upper floors were designed for small companies that made shoes. These businesses could work there until they became big enough to need their own larger spaces.
Changes Over Time
The building was used this way for 90 years. That's a very long time! Today, the upper floors have been changed. They are now used as homes for older people.
