14 bedrooms and eight bathrooms! Circa 1890. Almost an acre in Maine. $340,000
In the quiet town of Dexter, Maine, stands a sprawling historic home that immediately captures attention—not only for its impressive size but also for its rich character and charm. Built circa 1890, this magnificent residence spans 8,660 square feet and rests on nearly an acre of land, a testament to a bygone era when craftsmanship and architectural detail defined domestic design. With fourteen bedrooms and eight bathrooms, the home stands as one of the grander historic residences in the region, offering a glimpse into the past while holding immense potential for restoration and revitalization.
The house greets visitors with an inviting covered front porch, the kind that instantly evokes memories of long summer evenings, quiet reading, and the soft hum of conversation. The double front doors—bold, wide, and welcoming—set the tone for what lies inside: a space that once thrived with life and social gatherings. Stepping through those doors, one encounters the soft gleam of worn wood floors that still hold their beauty after more than a century of use. The layout unfolds with a sense of history in every corridor, each room holding whispers of the people who once called this place home.
One of the first details that draws the eye is the presence of stained-glass windows—delicate, colorful panes filtering light into soft hues that dance across the woodwork. These decorative touches, though small, reveal the careful attention to artistry that characterized late 19th-century homes. At the heart of the interior is a staircase that curves gracefully upward, sturdy and elegant, with the kind of craftsmanship rarely replicated in modern construction. It’s easy to imagine the generations who ascended and descended those steps, their footsteps leaving faint echoes of daily life and quiet dignity.
Though time has left its mark, the home still radiates an unmistakable charm. Many of the rooms remain spacious and bright, with tall windows and original moldings that speak of an era when natural light and fine wood detailing were integral to design. The sheer number of bedrooms—fourteen in all—suggests that this property may once have served as more than a private home. Its scale and layout hint at possible use as a boarding house, inn, or guest residence in the past. Dexter, a town with deep roots in Maine’s manufacturing and agricultural history, would have been the perfect setting for such a stately building.
While some later renovations have altered portions of the home, its historic integrity remains strong. There are areas that need careful restoration—sections where walls or finishes reflect mid-century changes that could be peeled back to reveal the home’s original beauty. Yet beneath these layers lies the potential for something remarkable: a chance to bring back the essence of 1890 craftsmanship with modern comfort. A restoration here could honor its historic character while introducing subtle updates for contemporary living.
The home’s nearly one-acre lot provides additional appeal, offering a sense of openness and privacy that complements the grand scale of the house. Mature trees likely shade parts of the property, adding to its timeless atmosphere. The large basement, a feature not often found in homes of such age and size, offers additional space for storage, workshops, or creative conversion into functional living areas.
In many ways, this house embodies the spirit of Maine’s small-town heritage—practical yet proud, detailed yet sturdy. Its design speaks to the Victorian influence that dominated American architecture at the turn of the 20th century, blending elegance with durability. The covered porch, double doors, and ornamental glass are not mere decoration; they are expressions of an age when even the simplest details carried meaning and pride of ownership.
Restoring this grand 1890 residence would be more than a project—it would be an act of preservation. It offers the opportunity to revive a structure that once stood at the heart of community life, perhaps as a family home or a gathering place for travelers. With its fourteen bedrooms and eight bathrooms, it could once again serve as a spacious family retreat, a bed-and-breakfast, or even an artist’s residence.
At its core, this Dexter property represents potential—both architectural and emotional. It stands as a bridge between Maine’s past and its present, waiting for someone with vision to restore its former grace. Beneath the worn paint and aged wood lies a story worth continuing, a home built in a time of care and intention, now ready for its next chapter.
With its history, scale, and enduring beauty, this circa 1890 home in Dexter, Maine, is more than just a large old house—it’s a monument to the craftsmanship, imagination, and spirit of an earlier America, waiting patiently for someone to rediscover its heart and bring its grandeur back to life.
