The Gothic House facts for kids
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The Gothic House
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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The Gothic House in December 2010
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | 387 Spring St., Portland, Maine |
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| Area | 0.5 acres (0.20 ha) |
| Built | 1845 |
| Architect | Henry Rowe |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| Part of | Spring Street Historic District (ID70000043) |
| NRHP reference No. | 72001539 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | December 31, 1974 |
| Designated CP | April 3, 1970 |
The Gothic House, also known as the John J. Brown House, is a very old and special home in Portland, Maine. It was built in 1845. This house is one of the best and earliest examples of a building style called Gothic Revival architecture in Maine. Even though it looks almost exactly like it did when it was new, the house was moved in 1971. It was moved down Spring Street to save it from being torn down. In 1974, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a list of important historical buildings in the United States.
Contents
What is the Gothic House?
The Gothic House is located in Portland's West End neighborhood. You can find it on the north side of Spring Street, not far from the Western Cemetery. This part of Spring Street is known as the Spring Street Historic District. It has many well-preserved homes from the 1800s.
A Special Style: Gothic Revival
The house is made of wood, but its outside looks like rough stone. It has a special roof shape called a hip roof. The front of the house has three sections. The middle section sticks out and holds the main front door. This part has a steep, pointed roof above it.
On the second floor of the middle section, there is a window shaped like a two-pointed Gothic arch. The front door has a porch with fancy Gothic details. The windows on either side of the main section have diamond-shaped panes. The main pointed roof in front, and smaller pointed roofs on the sides, are all decorated with special carved wood called bargeboard trim.
Who Designed This House?
The Gothic House was designed by an Irish immigrant named Henry Rowe. He lived from 1812 to 1870. Rowe was a big fan of the Gothic Revival style. This house was built in 1845. It is thought to be the first building Rowe designed in Maine. Many people say it is the best example of Gothic Revival architecture in the state.
The design of the house was partly inspired by ideas from a book. This book was called Cottage Residences and was written by Andrew Jackson Downing in 1842.
Moving a House: A Big Job!
The Gothic House was not always in its current spot. It was first built about a mile to the east, closer to Portland's busy port area. In 1971, the house was going to be torn down to make space for a new hotel.
Instead of being destroyed, the house was carefully moved down Spring Street. This was a huge effort! After the house was moved, a Holiday Inn hotel was built where the Gothic House used to be. This move saved a beautiful and important piece of history.
