Built on spec in 1932 by James MacNutt

An interesting Arts & Crafts home in the Fessenden Park neighborhood.

Portland Press Herald. June 29, 1930.  Newspapers.com

Richard Small and Dorothy Snell, most likely, met on the 4th floor of the Portland Savings Bank building on Exchange Street. Richard was born in Farmington in 1901 and Dorothy in Oakland in 1904. She was a legal stenographer for a law firm while Richard, a graduate of Bowdoin and Harvard Law, was working for a small law firm. Both firms were on the afore mentioned 4th floor.  The clipping above says they lived at “438 Deering Street”. Deering Street runs out at 73 so, I am going to guess it was 438 Deering Avenue, at the corner of Devonshire Street.

In late 1932, Richard and Dorothy purchased the newly built 2 story, 3 bedroom house at 59 Orland Street in Fessenden Park from Violet MacNutt. Violet had purchased the land in 1931. Her husband, James, was a building contractor so we can surmise that he built our subject.

59 Orland Street shows 36′ feet to the street. The main block is 28′ wide and 26′ feet deep. There is an 8′ x 12′ extension to the right side of the block. The house is 2 stories with an unfinished attic. Details include grouped windows and an oversized hood over the entry. Over all, the house presents a simple, unpretentious, face to the street, It does carry many cues from the house at 31 Belmeade Rd built in 1923 and designed by John Calvin and John Howard Stevens but our subject has a less refined quality.

Dorothy and Richard Small had 3 children in the 30’s. Ronald was born the same year the Small’s moved into our subject. Eleanor was born in 1935 and Nancy in 1937-8. In 1940, Richard decided to run for County Attorney, today’s District Attorney, on the Republican ticket. He was one of three candidates, one being the incumbent. He came in third.

The 40s an d 50s seem to have passed fairly quietly for the Smalls. Richard practiced law, The family travelled. The kids grew up and moved on. In the late 60’s, Richard became ill and passed away on October 16, 1969. Dorothy continued on here until 1997. She passed away in 2001.

Portland Press Herald, October 18, 1969. Newspapers.com

59 Orland Street is a single-family residence. The condition is very good.

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