Criterion A: Entertainment/Recreation
Criterion C: Architecture
Period of Significance: 1867
Local Level of Significance
The Paul and Lucena Webster Summer House at Fort Point, Stockton Springs, Waldo County, Maine was built in 1867 as a summer house near a small summer tourist area. The building is architecturally significant under Criterion C for its building type as an early summer cottage. The building is also significant under Criterion A for its association with entertainment/recreation. Fort Point had been a daytrip destination since 1859. Many of the early excursionists were from the Bangor area. The Websters from Orono built the first seasonal house on Fort Point. A previously existing farmhouse was used as a summer cottage by 1867 and a large hotel was built in 1872. Later summer cottage owners were from the Boston area. The Webster Cottage has few decorative details with a wraparound porch, large windows, and ocean views. The architect has not been determined but may have been local builder/architect Joseph W. Thompson who built other cottages on Fort Point and the hotel to the east of the Webster Cottage. The period of significance is 1867 when the cottage was built. There have been some alterations over time, but the house retains is spare finishes, open airy feel with high ceilings and large windows, circulation patterns and layout, and setting. As a summer cottage building type, it has good integrity.