Samuel Holden House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Samuel Holden House
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | US 201 E side, Moose River Golf Club, Moose River, Maine |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1829 |
| Architectural style | Early Republic |
| NRHP reference No. | 95001459 |
| Added to NRHP | December 14, 1995 |
The Samuel Holden House is a very old and important house in Moose River, Maine. It sits on the land of the Moose River Golf Club, right by United States Route 201. This house was built in 1829 by Samuel Holden. He was the first white settler in that area. The house is a special type called a Cape style house. It is one of the oldest houses still standing on the "Canada Road." This road was built a long time ago to connect central Maine to Quebec. Because of its history, the Samuel Holden House was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1995.
Contents
What Does the Samuel Holden House Look Like?
The Holden House is on the east side of United States Route 201. It is in the quiet, countryside part of Moose River. The house is near the Moose River Golf Club. This golf course is on land that used to belong to the Holden family.
The House's Style and Features
The house is a one-and-a-half story building. It is made of wood and has a Cape style design. It sits on a strong stone foundation. The outside walls are covered with weatherboard siding. The front of the house faces south. It has five window openings, called bays. The main door is in the middle. It has decorative pillars on each side and a small window above it. A small, gabled roof window sticks out from the roof right above the entrance.
Other Buildings Nearby
To the southeast of the house, there is a barn. This barn also has a gabled roof. It looks like it was built in the late 1800s.
How Has the Samuel Holden House Changed Over Time?
The Samuel Holden House has been changed quite a bit since it was first built. These changes show how the house was used through the years.
Past Uses and Additions
In the early 1900s, the house was used as a place for travelers to stay. It was like a small hotel or guesthouse. To make more room for guests, extra parts were added to the east side of the house. These additions were there when the house was first studied for the National Register of Historic Places. However, they have since been removed.
Saving the Historic House
The house was in danger of falling apart in 1998. A group called Maine Preservation listed it as an "endangered property." This meant it needed help to be saved. In 2008, a plan was made to protect the house. Since then, the house has been carefully fixed up. It now looks much like it did in the early 1800s when it was first built.
Who Was Samuel Holden and Why Is His House Important?
The Samuel Holden House was built in 1829. It was the third home built by Samuel Holden. He was born in Massachusetts. Samuel Holden was the very first white settler in the Moose River area.
Samuel Holden's Arrival and Early Homes
Samuel Holden came to the area in 1820. He brought his family, which included nine children. People say that Holden built his first log cabin in 1819. This was a bit north of where the current house stands. His family moved to the area the next year. Sadly, his first cabin burned down in 1820. He quickly built another one in the same spot where the current house is. This second cabin was then replaced by the wooden house we see today in 1829. This house was made from lumber cut at a mill.
The House as a Community Center
In the early days of the community, Samuel Holden's house was a very important place. Before the first school was built, school classes were held right there. It also served as the area's first post office. This means it was a central spot for learning and for sending and receiving mail.
Later Owners of the House
The Holden family owned the house until 1872. After that, many different people owned it. Finally, the town of Moose River bought the house in 1993.
