96 Clifford Street, South Portland
96 Clifford Street, just prior to demolition, April 2022
96 Clifford Street, mid-demolition, April 2022.
House and original two car garage, ca. 1940s. Image courtesy South Portland Historical Society, Hinckley Collection.
After the completion of the “Million Dollar Bridge” in 1916, property values outside of Portland increased and living further from “downtown” became more desirable for a growing commuter population. In 1919 Frederick Wheeler Hinkley, purchased 100 acres abutting his existing 20 acres in South Portland so that he could control the nearby development with his own planned subdivision, Sylvan Site. Designed by Hinkley himself, the thirty seven unique houses drew on Hinkley’s vast knowledge of architectural styles and featured the latest in modern creature comforts and technology. Recognizing the growing popularity and availability of automobiles (and the financial comfort of those purchasing in this development), many of the houses were built with matching two-car garages. Throughout the neighborhood, stonework is built with local stone from Hinkley’s nearby Sawyer Street quarry.
The Depression put a stop to Hinkley’s plans for Sylvan Site, and only 37 of the intended 200 houses were built. Today the neighborhood survives intact with one notable exception. In April of 2022, the house at 96 Clifford Street was demolished. In the hands of the right person, the house could have been an ideal fixer-upper.
The loss of this house is testament to the fact that the work of Greater Portland Landmarks is still crucial to ensuring the protection of our neighborhoods for the future. To learn more about the advocacy work we do, click here.