Architectural Styles and Stories: Eastport’s Central Neighborhood

This walk will explore several blocks of Eastport’s central neighborhood that is proposed to become a National Register Historic District. It is the oldest, most intact residential area of Eastport. The neighborhood contains wonderful examples of different architectural styles spanning the entire 19th century, from Federal to Greek Revival, from Italianate to Queen Anne. Unlike Eastport’s downtown that endured three massive fires during the 19th century that introduced wholesale change in architectural styles overnight, the central neighborhood largely avoided such large scale disruptions. Its different architectural styles were much more gradual and piecemeal. Attendees will look at a range of buildings to learn about the variety of architectural styles in the central neighborhood. They will also hear stories about the people who owned and lived in these buildings.

Attendees should wear comfortable walking shoes and expect to walk four blocks from Boynton Street to Shackford Street and from Water Street to beyond Middle Street with some additional side detours. Stops along the way will include the Hayden House, built in 1806 as a Federal style house and then extensively remodeled in 1882 to become a Second Empire style house with a Victorian style playhouse on its front lawn; several remaining Federal style houses in the neighborhood on Boynton, Key and Green Streets; Eastport’s only stone house, the Babb house, that was built in 1869 in the Italianate style; the Norwood house built in 1824 in the classic Greek Revival style and the Capen house built in 1894 in the Queen Anne style. Also included in the walk will be several Federal style buildings designed by Eastport architect, Daniel Low (1779-1838), including the 1821 Livermore and Bucknam houses and the Congregational Meeting House, built in 1828.