To spot the Captain Holland House, look for a striking three-story red brick mansion with a distinctive sloped mansard roof, white decorative trim, and a grand portico right at the corner of College and Holland Streets.
Now, let’s set the scene: It’s 1872, and the air is filled with the clatter of carriages and the bustling energy of Lewiston’s rise as an industrial powerhouse. Right in front of you stands the Captain Holland House, a true showstopper in Second Empire style, crowned with a dormered mansard roof that almost looks like a fancy hat perched for a night on the town. Imagine Daniel Holland himself, a powerhouse in lumber and real estate, striding up those steps with his mustache all a-twirl, knowing he’s just built the most impressive house in the neighborhood. You might catch a glimpse of politicians popping by-Holland was rubbing elbows with Maine’s Governor’s Council and even did two stints in the state senate. See those round-arched windows and the portico decked out with brackets and dentils? Those details practically shout “I’ve made it!” This house wasn’t just a home-it was a statement, a blend of power, ambition, and, let’s face it, a bit of architectural showing-off. Today, it’s a preserved piece of Lewiston’s grand ambitions-no secret passageways, but a lot of stories packed into those elegant brick corners!
