Category Archives: Architecture
West End Walks. 387 Spring Street
387 Spring Street. A ‘moving’ story.
Nestled on a tree-lined lot at the far western end of Spring Street, this little gem is a voice from a much earlier time. Continue reading
Portals. May 31 Edition.
West End Walks. 387 Danforth Street
387 Danforth Street. A home from the deeper past.
387 Danforth Street. The William Vaughan house. This is from a much earlier era than it’s neighbors. The tighter, symmetrical, massing along with matched chimneys, first-floor windows that are much taller than the second floor, and the strongly detailed entryway with arched window above place it squarely in the Federal Style. Continue reading
West End Walks. 370 Danforth Street
370 Danforth Street. An aesthetic disaster with a historical precedent.
This is one I have wondered about for some time. What is going on here? Is it a house or just a garage? Who would put such an ugly structure on such a beautiful street?
Continue reading
New Series. Portals
West End Walks. 380 Danforth Street
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. Continue reading
West End Walks. 394 Danforth Street
394 Danforth Street.
At the far west end of Danforth Street, just before it dives back down to the water, sit 2 of Portland’s best examples of Stick Style architecture. 394 Danforth is, without doubt, the most exuberant of the pair. Continue reading
West End Walks. 400 Danforth Street. Harrison Bird Brown house.
Harrison Bird Brown
The name rings large in the 19th Century history of Portland. A noted sea and landscape painter who was born in Portland and died in London, his works are prized today. Bowdoin & Colby Colleges and the Portland Museum of Art all hold his paintings in their collections. Brown painted and taught on the far west end of Danforth Street. Continue reading
West End Walks. 107 Vaughan Street. A modern vision.
Another house I had failed to notice for 30 years. On my last stroll, I turned the corner of Carroll Street and Vaughan and headed south towards Bowdoin Street. From the corner of my eye, I saw the sight above.











