Adam P. Leighton House

Adam P. Leighton House
Adam P. Leighton House
Location 261 Western Promenade, Portland, Maine
Coordinates 43°39′4″N 70°16′34″W / 43.65111°N 70.27611°W / 43.65111; -70.27611Coordinates: 43°39′4″N 70°16′34″W / 43.65111°N 70.27611°W / 43.65111; -70.27611
Area 0.3 acres (0.12 ha)
Built 1902-03[1]
Architect Frederick A. Tompson
Architectural style Colonial Revival
NRHP Reference # 82000746[2]
Added to NRHP September 29, 1982

The Adam P. Leighton House is an historic house at 261 Western Promenade in Portland, Maine. Built in 1903, it is a fine local example of Colonial Revival architecture, and is further prominent as home to Adam P. Leighton, who was "considered the father of the American postcard industry",[1] and served as the Mayor of Portland from 1908-09. The house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.[2]

Description and history

The Leighton House is located in Portland's Portland's West End, near the northern end of the Western Promenade, a public park. It is set overlooking the park on the east side, between West and Pine Streets. It is a 2-1/2 story brick building, with a dormered hip roof with bracketed eaves. The front facade is three bays wide, with an asymmetrical arrangement. The left bays are in a rectangular projection with single sash windows, and the right bays form a rounded projection with three window bays on each level. The entrance is at the center, sheltered by a portico supported by modified Doric columns. Corners are laid in brick that emulates quoining, and the windows have keystoned lintels.[3]

The house was built in 1902-03 to a design by local architect Frederick A. Tompson. Adam Leighton, for whom it was built, had made a fortune publishing "view books" (basically books full of lithographed photos), and then individual half-toned photographs, which were the first postcards. By the time this house was built, Leighton was a prominent local businessman, serving on bank boards and elective offices. He was Portland's mayor for one term, 1908-09.[3]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Guide to the Western Promenade Portland Landmarks
  2. 1 2 Staff (2010-07-09). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
  3. 1 2 "NRHP nomination for Adam P. Leighton House" (PDF). National Park Service. Retrieved 2016-01-14.
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