Adam P. Leighton House

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 to 1909. The house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.[2]

Adam P. Leighton House
Adam P. Leighton House
Adam P. Leighton House is located in Maine
Adam P. Leighton House
Adam P. Leighton House is located in the United States
Adam P. Leighton House
Location261 Western Promenade, Portland, Maine
Coordinates43°39′4″N 70°16′34″W
Area0.3 acres (0.12 ha)
Built1902-03[1]
ArchitectFrederick A. Tompson
Architectural styleColonial Revival
Part ofWestern Promenade Historic District (ID84001363)
NRHP reference No.82000746[2]
Significant dates
Added to NRHPSeptember 29, 1982
Designated CPFebruary 16, 1984

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 in elective offices. He was Portland's mayor for one term, 1908–09.[3]

See also

References
  1. Guide to the Western Promenade Archived 2011-03-07 at the Wayback Machine Portland Landmarks
  2. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  3. "NRHP nomination for Adam P. Leighton House". National Park Service. Retrieved January 14, 2016.
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