Author Archives: alewifecove

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About alewifecove

I am history loving foodie from the Coast of Maine. In my daily life I endeavor to make people think I have a few brain cells that still seem to function. Usually I succeed. I am married to a woman who has the patience of a saint and the strength of a high priestess. For some inexplicable reason, she has chosen to tolerate my presence for some 25 years now.

Glimpses. 308 Danforth Street. A peek inside.

A rare opportunity to see the interior of a Portland landmark.

In early 2024, one of the city’s landmark antebellum homes came on the market under some odd circumstances.

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16-22 Pine Street

Built on spec in 1856 by the Granville & Sewall Chase. Design by Charles A Alexander

A quartet of substantial Italianate townhouses in the Longfellow Square neighborhood

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Redux. 1 Thomas Street

Built in 1891 for Harry Butler. Design by John Calvin Stevens

An iconic Romanesque in the West End Historic District

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Clippings. The American Architect & Building News and the Jekyll Island Club House

The American Architect & Building News was the standard trade publication in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Most of the issues are available for reading and, in most cases, download.

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Blog Notes: Loss of city directories

The primary resource for city directory information that this blog has used for the past few years is no longer available. The vendor did not renew the contract with the Digital Maine Library and, to date, I have not located a replacement for this information. The loss of this resource will certainly reduce the detail of articles as it provided a way to search by address, thus making my task much more steam lined. I am still looking for an alternative and will update this note if one is found. If any readers find something, please feel free to contact me directly.

278-280 State Street

Built in 1886 for William & Elizabeth Sanborn. Design by John Calvin Stevens

An attractive Queen Anne-Colonial Revival double townhouse in the Parkside neighborhood.

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1245-1247 Forest Avenue

Built by Levi Morrill/Morrell. When is not clear.

A fascinating late Federal in the Morrills Corner neighborhood

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