Todd House (Eastport, Maine) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Todd House
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | 11 Capen Ave., Eastport, Maine |
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| Area | 0.3 acres (0.12 ha) |
| Built | 1781 |
| Architectural style | Cape Cod |
| NRHP reference No. | 80000258 |
| Added to NRHP | April 23, 1980 |
The Todd House is a very old and important house located at 11 Capen Avenue in Eastport, Maine. It was built around 1781. Many people believe it is the oldest building still standing in the city. In 1980, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places, which lists buildings important to history. Today, the Todd House is a bed and breakfast, where people can stay overnight.
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Exploring the Todd House
The Todd House sits on the northeast corner of Capen Avenue and Water Street. It is just north of the city center. From the house, you can see the beautiful St. Croix River.
House Design and Look
The house is a 1+1⁄2-story building. This means it has one full floor and a half-story above it. It is built in the traditional Cape style, which was popular a long time ago. The house is made of wood and has a roof that slopes down on two sides. It also has a chimney in the middle. The outside walls are covered with clapboard siding, which are long, thin boards. The house sits on a strong stone foundation.
The front of the house faces south and looks very balanced. It has five windows across the front. The main door is in the center and has a small window above it. Inside, the house has a classic layout with the chimney in the middle. There is a small hallway in front of the chimney. From this hallway, a winding staircase leads up to the attic. On either side of the chimney, there are living areas called parlors. A single-story part of the house extends from the back.
A Glimpse into History
No one knows the exact date the Todd House was built. However, a map from 1781 shows only one house on Moose Island. Most of Eastport is located on Moose Island. People believe this house on the map is the Todd House.
Early Owners and Settlers
The first owner of the house that we know about was John C. Todd. Moose Island was first settled by fishermen in 1772. They were the very first people to live there permanently.
Masonic Lodge and War of 1812
In 1801, the Todd House became a special meeting place. A local group called the Masonic lodge started using the attic as their meeting hall. The Masons are a fraternal organization, like a club, that helps its members and communities.
During the War of 1812, British soldiers took over Eastport. Some of their officers stayed in the Todd House. After the war ended in 1818, the Masons continued to use the house. They met there until 1887, when they moved to a new building built just for them.
