George M. Coombs
Encyclopedia
Maine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
architect
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
who designed numerous buildings in the state, many of which survive and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
. His firm evolved from Stevens & Coombs (with Lewiston architect William H. Stevens), to Coombs & Gibbs (with Eugene J. Gibbs), finally into Coombs, Gibbs & Wilkinson (with Harry C. Wilkinson). In 1901, the office was joined by his son, Harry S. Coombs
Harry S. Coombs
Harry S. Coombs was an architect in Maine. Son of architect George M. Coombs, he worked in his father's firm.NRHP-listed places designed by Harry S. Coombs include:*Dalton Holmes Davis Memorial Library, Main St. Bridgton ME...
.
Life
Born in BrunswickBrunswick, Maine
Brunswick is a town in Cumberland County, Maine, United States. The population was 20,278 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Portland-South Portland-Biddeford metropolitan area. Brunswick is home to Bowdoin College, the Bowdoin College Museum of Art, the Peary-MacMillan Arctic Museum, , and the...
, he was the son of Hannah (Morse) Coombs and John Coombs, a shipbuilder. At the age of 17, George M. Coombs moved up the Androscoggin River
Androscoggin River
The Androscoggin River is a river in the U.S. states of Maine and New Hampshire, in northern New England. It is long and joins the Kennebec River at Merrymeeting Bay in Maine before its water empties into the Gulf of Maine on the Atlantic Ocean. Its drainage basin is in area...
to Lewiston
Lewiston, Maine
Lewiston is a city in Androscoggin County in Maine, and the second-largest city in the state. The population was 41,592 at the 2010 census. It is one of two principal cities of and included within the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine metropolitan New England city and town area and the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine...
, then a booming mill town
Mill town
A mill town, also known as factory town or mill village, is typically a settlement that developed around one or more mills or factories .- United Kingdom:...
, and worked two years as a carpenter
Carpenter
A carpenter is a skilled craftsperson who works with timber to construct, install and maintain buildings, furniture, and other objects. The work, known as carpentry, may involve manual labor and work outdoors....
to help learn his trade. In 1870, he went into business as an independent architect. He married Clara Coffin and they had two sons.
Coombs became successful designing residences and institutional buildings throughout Lewiston, its twin city Auburn
Auburn, Maine
Auburn is a city in and the county seat of Androscoggin County, Maine, United States. The population was 23,055 at the 2010 census. It is one of two principal cities of and included in the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine metropolitan New England city and town area and the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine metropolitan...
, and across the state, working in the prevailing Second Empire, Romanesque Revival
Romanesque Revival architecture
Romanesque Revival is a style of building employed beginning in the mid 19th century inspired by the 11th and 12th century Romanesque architecture...
and Queen Anne
Queen Anne Style architecture (United States)
In America, the Queen Anne style of architecture, furniture and decorative arts was popular in the United States from 1880 to 1910. In American usage "Queen Anne" is loosely used of a wide range of picturesque buildings with "free Renaissance" details rather than of a specific formulaic style in...
styles. The company is now Harriman Associates.
Designs
- Bradford House (Lewiston, Maine)Bradford House (Lewiston, Maine)Bradford House is an historic house at 54-56 Pine Street in Lewiston, Maine.The house was built in 1876 and added to the National Historic Register in 1978....
, 54-56 Pine St. Lewiston ME (Coombs,George), a Second Empire-style building - Robert P. Carr House, Main St. BowdoinhamBowdoinham, MaineBowdoinham is a town in Sagadahoc County, Maine, United States. The population was 2,612 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Portland–South Portland–Biddeford, Maine metropolitan statistical area. The town is located on the west side of Merrymeeting Bay.-History:Fort Richmond was...
(Coombs,George M.) - Cole Block, 19 Main St. Bethel ME (Coombs, George M.)
- Viola Coombs House, Main St. Bowdoinham ME (Coombs,Harry S.)
- Charles L. Cushman HouseCharles L. Cushman HouseThe Charles L. Cushman House is an historic house at 8 Cushman Place in Auburn, Maine.The house was built in 1889 and added to the National Historic Register in 1980....
, 8 Cushman Pl. Auburn ME (Coombs,George M.) - Holman Day HouseHolman Day HouseHolman Day House is a historic house at 2 Goff Street in Auburn, Maine.The house was built in 1895 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978....
, 2 Goff St. Auburn ME (Coombs,George M.) - Dominican BlockDominican BlockThe Dominican Block is an historic block at 141-145 Lincoln Street in Lewiston, Maine.The block was built in 1882 and added to the National Historic Register in 1980....
, 141-145 Lincoln St. Lewiston ME vCoombs,George M.) - One or more buildings in Farmington Historic District, Roughly bounded by High, Academy, Anson and Grove Sts. Farmington ME (Coombs, George M.)
- First Callahan BuildingFirst Callahan BuildingFirst Callahan Building is an historic building at 276 Lisbon Street in Lewiston, Maine.The building was built in 1892 and added to the National Historic Register in 1986....
, 276 Lisbon St. Lewiston ME (Coombs,George) - First Congregational Church, United Church of ChristFirst Congregational Church, United Church of ChristFirst Congregational Church, United Church of Christ is a historic church on Main Street in Farmington, Maine.It was built in 1887 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974....
, Main St. Farmington ME (Coombs,George M.) - First National Bank of Houlton, Market Sq. Houlton ME (Coombs,George M.)
- Franklin County CourthouseFranklin County Courthouse (Maine)Franklin County Courthouse is a courthouse in Farmington, Maine, the county seat of Franklin County. Designed by George M. Coombs, it was built in 1885 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983....
, Main and Anson Sts. Farmington ME (Coombs,George M.) - Sen. William P. Frye HouseSen. William P. Frye HouseSenator William P. Frye House is a historic house on 453-461 Main Street in Lewiston, Maine.William P. Frye served as U.S. Senate Majority Leader and was a trustee of Bates College which is adjacent to his home. His house was built in 1874 and added to the National Historic register in 1976....
, 453-461 Main St. Lewiston ME (Coombs,George M.) - One or more buildings in Kineo Cottage Row Historic District, West side of Kineo peninsula in Moosehead Lake Kineo Township ME (Coombs and Gibbs)
- Kora TempleKora TempleKora Temple is an historic Masonic building at 11 Sabattus Street in Lewiston, Maine.The temple was built in 1908 by the Ancient Arabic Order, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. The Shriners are a fraternal organization affiliated with Freemasonry and are known for their charitable works such as the...
, 11 Sabattus St. Lewiston ME (Coombs,George M.) - One or more buildings in Main Street-Frye Street Historic DistrictMain Street-Frye Street Historic DistrictMain Street-Frye Street Historic District is a historic district comprising houses on Frye Street and parts of College Street and Main Street in Lewiston, Maine....
, Frye St. and portions of Main St. and College St. Lewiston ME (Coombs, George M.) - Joseph and Susan Manley Summer Cottage, E side of Club Rd., 0.1 mi. S of jct. of ME 216 and Club Rd. Small Point ME (Coombs, George M.)
- Merrill Hall, Maine and Academy Sts. Farmington ME (Coombs,George M.)
- Oak Street School, Oak St. Lewiston ME (Coombs,George M.)
- Bradford Peck House, 506 Main St. Lewiston ME (Coombs, George M.)
NRHP-listed places designed by Coombs & Gibbs or Coombs, Gibbs & Wilkinson include:
- Lewiston Public LibraryLewiston Public LibraryLewiston Public Library is a historic site at Park and Pine Streets in Lewiston, Maine.The Colonial Revival library building was constructed in 1902 by Coombs & Gibbs. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978....
, Park and Pine Sts. Lewiston ME (Coombs & Gibbs) - Lewiston Trust and Safe Deposit CompanyLewiston Trust and Safe Deposit CompanyLewiston Trust and Safe Deposit Company is a historic building at 46 Lisbon Street in Lewiston, Maine.The building was constructed in 1898 and added to the National Historic Register in 1986....
, 46 Lisbon St. Lewiston ME (Coombs,Gibbs & Wilkinson) - Philo Reed House, 38 Main St. Fort Fairfield ME (Coombs & Gibbs)
NRHP-listed places designed by Stevens & Coombs include:
- Gay-Munroe HouseGay-Munroe HouseGay-Munroe House is an historic house located at 64 Highland Avenue in Auburn, Maine.The house was built in 1878 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2001....
, 64 Highland Ave. Auburn ME (Stevens and Coombs) - Dr. Louis J. Martel HouseDr. Louis J. Martel HouseDr. Louis J. Martel House is a historic house at 122-124 Bartlett Street in Lewiston, Maine.The house was built in 1883 and added to the National Historic Register in 1983....
, 122-124 Bartlett St. Lewiston ME (Stevens and Coombs) - Odd Fellows Block (Lewiston, Maine)Odd Fellows Block (Lewiston, Maine)Odd Fellows Block is an historic block at 182-190 Lisbon Street in Lewiston, Maine.The block was built in 1876 and served historically as a clubhouse. It was added to the National Historic Register in 1986....
, 182--190 Lisbon St. Lewiston ME (Stevens & Coombs) - Roak BlockRoak BlockRoak Block is an historic site at 144-170 Main Street in Auburn, Maine.The block was built in 1871 and added to the National Historic Register in 1982....
, 144-170 Main St. Auburn ME (Stevens & Coombs)
NRHP-listed places designed by other Coombs include:
- Elijah Kellogg ChurchElijah Kellogg ChurchElijah Kellogg Church is a historic Congregationalist church on Maine State Route 123 in Harpswell, Maine.It was built in 1843 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.-External links:*...
, ME 123, Harpswell, MaineHarpswell, MaineHarpswell is a town in Cumberland County, Maine, which is geographically within Casco Bay in the Gulf of Maine. The population was 5,239 at the 2000 census. Harpswell is composed of land contiguous with the rest of Cumberland County, called Harpswell Neck, as well as several large and small...
(Raymond,Anthony Coombs) - Men's HallMen's HallMen's Hall, also known as Boreman Hall South, is a historic dormitory associated with the West Virginia University and located at Morgantown, Monongalia County, West Virginia. It was built in 1935, and is a five-story, "E"-shaped red brick building with Classical Revival detailing. It sits on a...
, Prospect and High Sts. Morgantown WV (Baker & Coombs)