Sparrow House (Portland, Maine) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Sparrow House
|
|
Sparrow House in April 2016.
|
|
 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 35 Arlington Street, Portland, Maine |
|---|---|
| Area | 0.3 acres (0.12 ha) |
| Built | 1852 |
| Architectural style | Gothic |
| NRHP reference No. | 82000421 |
| Added to NRHP | October 29, 1982 |
The Sparrow House is a very old and special house located at 35 Arlington Street in the Woodford's Corner area of Portland, Maine. It was built in 1852 and is a great example of a building style called Gothic Revival architecture. Because it's so important, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. This means it's recognized as a historic treasure!
What Makes the Sparrow House Special?
The Sparrow House sits on the northwest side of Arlington Street. This is a quiet street between Forest Avenue and Back Cove in Portland.
Its Unique Look
The house is one and a half stories tall. It's made of wood and has a roof that goes up sharply to a point, called a "gable roof." The outside walls are covered with wooden boards that go straight up and down.
- Fancy Decorations: The sides of the roof and a front section above the main door have really fancy wooden decorations. These are called "bargeboards."
- Special Window: The front section also has a unique window. It's made of three narrow windows that are shaped like tall, pointed arches. This style is sometimes called "Palladian."
- Extra Space: A one-story part sticks out from the right side of the main house.
A Glimpse into History
The Sparrow House was built in 1852. Back then, this area was part of a different town called Deering. For many years, it was the only house around!
- Who Lived Here? The house was built for Warren Sparrow. He was a businessman in Portland. He owned a store that sold dry goods (like fabric and clothing). He also had an insurance business.
- Early Innovator: Warren Sparrow was also one of the first people to help start Portland's streetcar system. This was a big deal for transportation back then!
- Architectural Gem: The Sparrow House is considered one of the best examples of Gothic residential architecture in Portland. Another famous one is The Gothic House in Portland's West End. We don't know who designed the Sparrow House, but they did a wonderful job!
