South Street runs from Pleasant Street to a concrete wall on the edge of Spring Street in Portland’s Gorham’s Corner neighborhood. South Street originally ran from Spring to Free Streets with the current section being laid out around 1830. This is the same time frame that our subject was built. The earliest parts of South Street were removed during the era of Urban Renewal and now lie under the Cross Arena.

20 South Street is a Federal-style brick building of 3 bays if a bit asymmetrical in its layout. Showing classic marks of the style in its arched entry, side-lit door, and clean-cut windows, it is currently painted a tired gray, it would likely have been unpainted when built. The 1924 tax photo seems to bear this out as well as showing the original 6 over 6 windows since replaced with modern, single-pane units. An economic decision no doubt but it has robbed the exterior of a piece of its character.

20 South Street in 1924

I like the color on the upper part of the door. The bottom color, not so much.

The property is listed as 2 family. Must be cramped. It’s an interesting shape that is obviously driven by its lot. The lot in its self has some stories, more on those later. The 3 bay front extends back about 30 feet before stepping back to a 2 bay width for the remaining 40 +/- feet. The break between the second and third bay being, rather uncomfortably, expressed on the facade. The building presents 3 stories with the third floor being a garret.

A good view of the extended depth of the house and it’s lot

Current tax records list a Remington Schmidt Esq as the owner. Current valuation is $264,700.00. Notable previous owners include The Catholic Diocese of Maine and the Mussey family.

William Willis places the first Mussey, Benjamin, in Falmouth prior to 1745. After the destruction of Falmouth in 1775, Benjamin did not return choosing to move to Standish. His son John carried on the name in Portland. It was he who sold our subject property to John Pettengill in 1831 for $1000.00. Interestingly, the deed speaks of buildings. Perhaps John and his brother Charles built the home as a speculative venture. The brothers are mentioned as owners in common of the lot abutting at the rear of 20 South Street. That lot is now occupied by Pleasant Street Park.

The lot is also notable for its size and shape. At +/-  35′ x 100′ and having about 60% of the lot taken up by building there is not much space for raising food. Chickens would have worked but not much else. This is certainly an urban lot. A home whose residents will surely be relying on the local markets and vendors for most of their needs. This was becoming a much more common occurrence in the 1820s & ’30s.

Lastly, we have the Catholic Diocese and their part in the history of 20 South Street. On February 26, 1974, the will of Alice M McDonald was probated in Portland. In her will, Alice bequeathed the property in equal parts to St Dominics & St Joseph’s parishes in Portland. After getting permission from the probate court, the Diocese sold the property to Reuben & Virginia Britt on March 7, 1978. The current owner purchased the property from Virginia’s estate on August 12, 1994