The Norton House Historic District encompasses two properties that formerly constituted the central portion of a suburban country estate in Falmouth, Maine. Located on Foreside Road, overlooking Casco Bay, the landscaped properties include a house and former carriage house designed by John Calvin Stevens and John Howard Stevens in 1912. The district was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2004.[1]
Until the early 20th century, the area known as Falmouth Foreside was a predominantly rural and agricultural area. By 1910 a full-scale conversion of the area to coastal estate homes was well underway, with landowners selling off coastal properties for development. The family of Ralph S. Norton, an insurance executive based in Portland, owned a small farm in the area, and Norton decided in 1911 to build a more substantial summer house on a high point overlooking Casco Bay. He retained John Howard Stevens, who developed a plan that included a house, carriage barn, and landscaped garden terraces. It is surmised that Carl Rust Parker, a prominent Portland landscape architect, was involved in the design of the grounds. The Norton estate was originally several hundred acres, most of which has since been subdivided (including the property of the Portland Yacht Club). Ownership of the house and barn was divided in 1967, after which the barn was converted to a residence.[2]
The surviving Norton estate properties are accessed via private drive on the southeast side of Foreside Road (Maine State Route 88), between Old Powerhouse Road, which provides access to the yacht club, and Ramsdell Road. The drive is marked by a low stone wall with posts, and a small gatehouse on the right side, designed by John Howard Stevens. The main house is at the left side of the end of the drive, while the carriage barn is to the right. The house is a handsome 2-1/2 story structure, with an eclectic blend of Prairie School, Shingle, and Colonial Revival styles. Its interior finish is predominantly in Arts and Crafts styling that was fashionable at the time of its construction. The house's original view to the bay is now obscured by a house built on a subdivision of the estate.[2]
See alsoedit
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^ ab"NRHP nomination for Norton House Historic District". National Park Service. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
April 10, 2024
norton, house, historic, district, encompasses, properties, that, formerly, constituted, central, portion, suburban, country, estate, falmouth, maine, located, foreside, road, overlooking, casco, landscaped, properties, include, house, former, carriage, house,. The Norton House Historic District encompasses two properties that formerly constituted the central portion of a suburban country estate in Falmouth Maine Located on Foreside Road overlooking Casco Bay the landscaped properties include a house and former carriage house designed by John Calvin Stevens and John Howard Stevens in 1912 The district was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2004 1 Norton House Historic DistrictU S National Register of Historic PlacesU S Historic districtThe main houseShow map of MaineShow map of the United StatesLocation241 and 243 Foreside Rd Falmouth MaineCoordinates43 43 54 N 70 12 36 W 43 73167 N 70 21000 W 43 73167 70 21000Area2 5 acres 1 0 ha Built1912 1912 ArchitectStevens John Calvin Parker Carl Rust et al Architectural stylePrairie School Shingle Style et al NRHP reference No 03001501 1 Added to NRHPJanuary 28 2004Description and history editUntil the early 20th century the area known as Falmouth Foreside was a predominantly rural and agricultural area By 1910 a full scale conversion of the area to coastal estate homes was well underway with landowners selling off coastal properties for development The family of Ralph S Norton an insurance executive based in Portland owned a small farm in the area and Norton decided in 1911 to build a more substantial summer house on a high point overlooking Casco Bay He retained John Howard Stevens who developed a plan that included a house carriage barn and landscaped garden terraces It is surmised that Carl Rust Parker a prominent Portland landscape architect was involved in the design of the grounds The Norton estate was originally several hundred acres most of which has since been subdivided including the property of the Portland Yacht Club Ownership of the house and barn was divided in 1967 after which the barn was converted to a residence 2 The surviving Norton estate properties are accessed via private drive on the southeast side of Foreside Road Maine State Route 88 between Old Powerhouse Road which provides access to the yacht club and Ramsdell Road The drive is marked by a low stone wall with posts and a small gatehouse on the right side designed by John Howard Stevens The main house is at the left side of the end of the drive while the carriage barn is to the right The house is a handsome 2 1 2 story structure with an eclectic blend of Prairie School Shingle and Colonial Revival styles Its interior finish is predominantly in Arts and Crafts styling that was fashionable at the time of its construction The house s original view to the bay is now obscured by a house built on a subdivision of the estate 2 See also edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Norton House Historic District National Register of Historic Places listings in Cumberland County MaineReferences edit a b National Register Information System National Register of Historic Places National Park Service July 9 2010 a b NRHP nomination for Norton House Historic District National Park Service Retrieved January 24 2016 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Norton House Historic District amp oldid 1169260751, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
