PORTLAND – Maine Preservation on Thursday released its 16th annual list of most endangered historic properties across the state.

This year’s list includes Stackpole Bridge in Saco — which needs major renovation to reopen — and St. Joseph’s Church, the first Catholic church in Lewiston. Other endangered properties include function halls, school buildings and unoccupied historic houses.

“Preservation of these key structures can be a catalyst for community revitalization, economic development and continued quality of life for the citizens of Maine’s towns and cities,” Greg Paxton, executive director of Maine Preservation, said in a prepared statement. “While historic preservation has done relatively well in the recent challenged economy, we must continue to wisely manage and use our existing buildings, bolster our tax base and provide a firm foundation for future prosperity and quality of life, as this list illustrates.”

Endangered properties on this year’s list are:

• Kennebec Arsenal in Augusta, a complex of eight Greek and Gothic revival buildings built on the banks of the Kennebec River.

• St. Joseph’s Church in Lewiston, which was designed by prominent 19th-century architect Patrick C. Keely and completed in 1867. Earlier this month, Central Maine Healthcare temporarily withdrew an application to demolish the building to create parking.

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• Stevens School in Hallowell, which was founded as a school for “wayward girls” in the 19th century.

• Stackpole Bridge in Saco, a 165-year-old dry-laid stone bridge that is closed to vehicle traffic because of its condition. Saco voters in June rejected a $1.7 million borrowing plan to fix the bridge on Simpson Road.

• The Goddard House in Bridgton, an 1870 house on 3.9 acres in the village of South Bridgton. The house is for sale.

• Odd Fellows Block in Norway, which was built in 1893 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The building has fallen into disrepair.

• Winnegance Store in Bath, a general store that operated from 1902 to 2009.

• Narramissic Farm in Bridgton, which now is a historic house museum and event location. The 1797 farmhouse and 1830s barn have deteriorated because of deferred maintenance.

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• Annie Mills Farm in Aurora, an architecturally significant Greek revival/cape building that is vacant.

• George Washington Lodge in Pembroke, a former Independent Order of Odd Fellows hall that dates to 1890. The house has been protected by the Maine Preservation Revolving Fund and is for sale with a preservation easement and rehabilitation agreement.

• B&A Caboose and Water Tower in Frenchville, one of the few surviving water tanks in the eastern United States. Both structures are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

• Barrell Grove in York, which dates from as early as 1712 and is considered one of the most significant early houses in the state. Unoccupied for several years, the house is in danger of being demolished or renovated in a way that will harm its historical character.

Gillian Graham can be contacted at 791-6315 or at:

ggraham@pressherald.com


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