To spot the Dingley Building, look for a large, two-story red brick building with a tall turret topped by a dome right at the corner, just behind that cluster of trees.
You’re now standing before the Dingley Building-a place where history, drama, and a dash of architectural flair all come together! Take in those solid red bricks and the grand arched entrance that almost looks like it should lead into a castle. Built in 1890 when horse-drawn carriages clattered down Oak Street, this building was dreamed up by the talented George M. Coombs, Lewiston’s very own star architect. Imagine the excitement when students first marched through these doors, it was once called the Oak Street School, echoing with the laughter and shouts of children in old-fashioned clothes. It wasn’t until 1899 that it got its current name, honoring Nelson Dingley Jr.-a former governor and Congress member who must have had quite the collection of top hats!
Let your eyes wander to that whimsical turret, which looks like a wizard’s hat, and picture schoolkids wondering what secrets it held. Over time, the building changed from a lively school to the headquarters of Lewiston’s Board of Education. In fact, if you step closer, you might even hear the faint rustle of paperwork and decisions being made inside-education never sleeps!
And not even Mother Nature could resist this place. In 2008, a lightning bolt decided to pay a visit, zapping the wooden tower and giving the building a literal shock! Thankfully, everyone was safe, and the sturdy old structure withstood the drama like the hero it is. Now, the Dingley Building serves as the heart of Lewiston’s school system and a meeting place for the city’s history buffs, standing proud-both a memory and very much alive. So, what do you think-is that turret hiding lost homework, or just more history?
