South Street Historic District (Gorham, Maine) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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South Street Historic District
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View of South Street
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | South St. between Green and Morrill, Gorham, Maine |
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| Area | 9 acres (3.6 ha) |
| Architect | Gilkey, Isaac; Moulton, Otis E. |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Gothic Revival, Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 88000398 |
| Added to NRHP | April 20, 1988 |
The South Street Historic District is a special area in Gorham, Maine. It's a neighborhood filled with old houses. These homes were built a long time ago, mostly in the late 1700s and early 1800s.
This district is just south of Gorham's main town center. It has about 20 houses that look very similar in style. The only different building is the Baxter Memorial Library. This whole area was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1988. This means it's recognized as an important historical place.
Exploring South Street's History
The town of Gorham was first settled by people from Europe in 1736. But it didn't really start to grow a lot until the 1760s. That's when the French and Indian Wars ended. Gorham officially became a town in 1764.
The center of Gorham was set up in the 1750s. It was where Main Street and South Street meet. There was also a small cemetery and a schoolhouse nearby. The land along South Street, south of the cemetery, was once farmland. Over time, in the early 1800s, it slowly became a neighborhood with homes.
Old Houses and Important People
The South Street Historic District covers both sides of South Street. It stretches between Preble Street and Morrill Avenue. The oldest house still standing is at 65 South Street. It belonged to Reuben Nason and was built around 1794. This house is a great example of 18th-century architecture. Reuben Nason bought the house in 1810. He was also the first headmaster of Gorham Academy.
Another very important building in the district is the Baxter House. Today, it's a museum. This house is famous because two of Maine's governors lived there. They were James Phinney Baxter and Percival Baxter. Right next to the Baxter House is the Baxter Memorial Library. This library was built in 1907-1908. It was a gift to the town from James Phinney Baxter. It's the only building in the district that isn't a home.
