Schlotterbeck and Foss Building facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Schlotterbeck and Foss Building
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | 117 Preble Street, Portland, Maine |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1927 |
| Architectural style | Art Deco |
| NRHP reference No. | 16000436 |
| Added to NRHP | July 11, 2016 |
The Schlotterbeck and Foss Building is a historic factory building located at 117 Preble Street in Portland, Maine. It was built in 1927 and is a special example of Art Deco style architecture in Portland. It is the only known Art Deco building designed by the famous Maine architects John Calvin Stevens and John Howard Stevens. This building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2016 because of its importance.
What Makes the Schlotterbeck and Foss Building Special?
The former Schlotterbeck and Foss building stands in the northern part of downtown Portland. You can find it at the corner of Preble and Kennebec Streets. This building has five stories and is made of strong materials like concrete and brick. The outside is mostly light brown brick with decorative stone parts.
A Closer Look at the Building's Design
The first floor of the building is covered in a special type of stone. The floors above are mainly brick with stone decorations. The middle three sections of the building stick out a little. The main entrance has a metal roof held up by chains. The corners of the building also stick out, like tall, flat columns. These corners have cool Art Deco designs at the very top. The roofline has a low wall with stepped caps at the corners, adding to its unique look.
The Story Behind Schlotterbeck and Foss
The company was started by Arthur Schlotterbeck, who came from Germany. He opened a pharmacy in Portland in 1866. Later, in 1887, Charles Foss joined him. Charles was from Maine. Together, they started making old-fashioned medicines.
They also began making flavored extracts for cooking in 1892. Think of vanilla or lemon extracts you use for baking! This building was designed specifically for their business. It was finished in 1927. It's one of the few industrial buildings designed by the older architect, John Calvin Stevens, that is still standing. It's also the only Art Deco design known from the father-son team. The inside of the building was made for making, selling, and distributing their products. It's still very much like it was back then, both inside and out.
