A story of revival

It was a ‘blow-down’

When I wrote about 99 Capisic Street in 2018, I did not have much hope. Sitting on its knoll, hidden behind overgrown trees and shrubs, it was slowly decaying. Out of sight and out of mind.
Or so I thought

The article became, and still is, one of the most read and commented on. The city of Portland, which had taken the property for unpaid taxes, was not unaware of the house either. In 2019, 99 Capisic Street was offered for sale by the city in “as-is” condition. I contacted an associate who is a real estate agent to see about getting a look inside. He was informed that the interior was so damaged that there was no admittance to the inside. I was deterred but others were not.

From the current owner:

I drove down Capisic Street for the first time since returning to my hometown of Portland after my 38 year hiatus. There was the house on the hill!
I saw it up through the overgrowth and experienced a jolt of deja vu. Although I could not remember the details, I had the distinct recollection of a very interesting house up there from my childhood. After that, every time I drove down that street, I would slow down and take another look. Sadly, each time the house was in greater disrepair. About 2012, someone had done some clean up and the house suddenly emerged from the brush, very stark and isolated. It looked so sad and forlorn it broke my heart.
From then on, it only got worse.
Shortly thereafter, it was boarded up. Vandalism began in earnest. Invasive trees and brush reclaimed their places. Covered in graffiti, the house was rotting away.
I spoke a few times of how much I would love to have that house and fix it. No one seemed to know anything except that the owner would never sell. Then one day, as I drove passed the house, there was a “for sale” sign out front. I immediately pulled over to the side of the road, called a contractor friend, and asked “where do I sign?”

In early January of 2020, 99 Capisic Street was sold to Vana Carmona. What took place over the next 3 years can only be called a renaissance.

Along the way, we learned more about the Emerson family, who lived here the longest. In particular, we learned more about Marguerite Weymouth Emerson.

Carrie Emerson from an article in the Portland Press Herald March 27, 1954. Newspapers.com

She was the 5th child of Joseph and Mary ‘Carrie’ Emerson born in 1887. Carrie spent her entire life in our subject home. She graduated from Deering High School in 1905. She entered Wellesley College after high school but, due to health and family issues, attended for “less than a week”. She held a lifelong interest in literature and languages, and wrote poetry. Some of her poetry was published. A couple of her pamphlets are in the Maine Historical Society and Maine State Libraries. She used her property for victory gardens during WWII.

Carrie Emerson’s poem from the January 31, 1925 Portland Evening Express. Newspapers.com

Marguerite sang as well as playing the piano and violin. She was noted for her talent in newspaper articles when in her teens and would be for decades afterwards. She was a long time member of the First Parish Church, Victorian Society, and the Longfellow Garden Club. A club at the church to which she belonged for a couple of decades, called the Evening Alliance, was renamed the Marguerite Emerson Club after her death in 1963. She worked as a bookkeeper for various Portland businesses for many years.

Clipping from the July 11, 1950 Portland Press Herald. Marguerite Emerson is highlighted. Photo was probably taken on  her back porch. Newspapers.com

Marguerite Emerson’s obituary from the March2, 1963 Portland Press Herald. Newspapers.com

Clipping from the May 12, 1980 Portland Press Herald. Newspapers.com

Meanwhile, back in 2020, things are beginning to happen at 99 Capisic Street. Trees and brush are cut back and removed. Debris and garbage are cleaned up. Due to the restrictions on access, the full extent of the condition of the interior only becomes apparent over time. The damage was significant enough to make a ‘correct’ historical restoration of the interior nearly impossible. Although this is too bad from a purely historical standpoint, it did allow the owners to make choices that allow the home to be livable in the modern world. An important consideration for anyone planning to restore, and live in, an old house.

With an hour, I learned that I had only 36 hours to make bid. The owner had died. The City had taken it over for back taxes. Those 36 hours were very busy indeed but I did it. A month later, I learned it was mine if I still wanted it.
Almost 4 years have passed, four years of cleaning out, salvaging what could be found, repairing the extensive damage, and putting it back together again.

Most of the exterior fabric is original but for a new paint job. The windows, except for the units in the dormer over the entrance, are replacements. The owner tells me those windows were found in the debris and “freeze solid” every winter.

The hue of the porch ceiling is interesting as it is historically correct and is a “Haint” color as well. The porch deck was replaced but the deck that was there was painted the same blue hue as the ceiling, on the bottom of the boards only. An interesting note to be sure and one that was done on the new decking.

The owner and her team have won two awards for their work. In March of 2023 , Maine Preservation honored them. And Greater Portland Landmarks did so in May of 2023.

Still to come at 99 Capisic Street is a new barn/garage. As this is an historic structure, the new building has to meet certain standards. To meet these requirements, the owner and her team have chosen to recreate the original barn. There is only photographic evidence but it has enough to guide them in creating a very good replica while making it usable today.

Elevation of approved garage plan. Supplied by the owner.

The Portland Historic Preservation Committee has reviewed and approved the above plan. The city of Portland has issued a building permit for the project.

I will let the owner, Vana Carmona, close the story.

Do you know that the house has a song?

All during the restoration, it would go through my head every time I drove up the hill.

Buck Owens: “Love’s Gonna Live Here Again.”

It sure does Vana.

99 Capisic Street is a single family home. The condition is very good.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.