380 Danforth Street. The Stick Style refined.

Just up the street from 394 Danforth we find another Stick Style home that displays a more refined vision. Whereas 394 is positively dripping with details, 380 shows restraint and more developed details.
The home was built in 1875 for Samuel Rumery who, along with James P Baxter & William Davis, was a founder of the Portland Packing Company. Possessing a fairly large lot and a commanding view of the upper harbor, it would have been a fitting home for a successful businessman such as Rumery.

The detailing in the gables is very rich with the star at the intersections a nice touch. The switch from horizontal to vertical siding helps to emphasize the height while also breaking the wall planes into separate zones. The details in dormers on the other hand are very heavy and layered. Combined with the chunky brackets, they really call out for attention.

There are several details I find quite attractive on this house. The use of applied moldings to carry the brackets and window trim down the height of the wall, as seen in the image above, is a nice touch and very much in keeping with the style. The treatment of bump-out on the west end is particularly attractive. The detailing, especially the medallions, really add richness and depth to the look and feel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lastly, and perhaps my favorite, is the handling of the transition from horizontal to vertical wall space. The horizontal plane is capped with a row of elongated dentils that lead to alternating positive and negative compressed ogee forms. The negative points lead to small piercings that transition into a very slim batten covering the joints of the siding.

 

A mention should also be made of the replacement windows. Although the use of large single panes is historically suspect, the 1924 photo shows 2 over 2, the use of a dark color and minimal frame widths helps to mitigate any glaring changes. All too often, replacement windows can be a disaster for old houses.

The 1926 tax records show the owner as Albert W Moulton. I cannot find any information on Mr. Moulton with a quick internet search. The home was valued at that time at $4089.00 and the land at $1839.00. The property is currently owned by a Psychiatrist & a Program Administrator at Maine Medical Center.  2014 valuation is $707,000.00

 

5.25.15 PS: Further research shows that John Calvin Stevens designed alterations to the home in 1880.