Crown Jewel

by colin sargent

John Calvin Stevens designed this 28,000square-foot palace, the pride of Augusta, for Republican Governor John Fremont Hill (1855-1912) in 1901. Resplendent in St. Louis brick, pillars, quoins, and balconet, this is an exquisite expression of Stevens’s approach to Colonial Revival with a bottomless budget.

A capitalist among capitalists, Hill, who led the state from 1901-1905, earned his fortune at the helm of the publishers J. F. Hill and Co., of Augusta. He also dabbled in steamships, railroads, the telephone industry and banks.

After serving as Maine’s governor, he was acting chairman, then chairman of the Republican National Committee from 1908 to 1912.

His sumptuous new home here of the be-monacled Hill, who bore and possibly cultivated a striking resemblance to Teddy Roosevelt, cost $250,000 to build and at one point was rumored to be the new State of Maine governor’s mansion.

Instead, it passed through many hands over the years to a succession of owners that more recently includes Maine Catholic Charities. With the mansion almost eerily intact and florid with its original wallpaper, paneling, and interior décor virtually untouched, it’s like passing into a forgotten world here. It’s proof positive that during the bully days of the republic, the riding truly wasn’t so rough!

Right, but is there parking?

Eighty-seven spaces. There’s also a twodoor carriage house and multiple offices clustered and huddled around the manse, including an amphitheater/banquet hall out back as part of many modern amenities built off the main structure on this 1.367-acre parcel with the prestigious address of 136 State Street. Hey, you never know when you’re going to need an amphitheater. It’s accurate to describe the vast untrammeled appointments here as “roomy.”

Zoned Business Professional for the snapup price of $1.3 million by CBRE/The Boulos Co., the Hill Mansion is assessed for $3.45 million by the City of Augusta. You’ve got to love it when the funereal silk tassels convey. n

When the Blaine house just won’t do.

Crown Jewel

Left: Designed for Governor John Fremont Hill in 1901 by noted architect John Calvin Stevens, the Hill mansion was created with a virtually bottomless budget.

Top: The sumptuous interior of the main house is in startling original condition, all the way down to the wallpaper.

Below: The banquet hall is perfect for conferences and receptions, unless you just want to take the plunge and open up a Captain Newick’s (the property includes 87 parking spaces outside).