Marion (Old Rochester) is one of the oldest towns in the United States, and the Sippican Historical Society maintains an extensive collection of documentation on its historic buildings. In 1998, the Sippican Historical Society commissioned an architectural survey of Marion’s historic homes and buildings. Over 100 were cataloged and photographed. SHS will feature one building a week so that the residents of Marion can understand more about its unique historical architecture.
This installment features 373 and 375 Front Street. After his retirement from the sea, Capt. George Allen began to expand the economic base of the Old Depot area. He demolished the neighboring one-room schoolhouse and, between 1900 and 1920, built two Craftsman-style cottages at 373 and 375 Front Street as a real estate development project. He also established a cigar and confectionery store opposite the depot. The diminutive cottages at 373 and 375 Front Street feature full-length front porches resting on lattice-covered platforms and support slat-work railings and square posts. Captain Allen augmented his retirement nest egg with the proceeds from the sale of the cottages.
