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Ruggles House, Columbia Falls, ca. 1920

Ruggles House, Columbia Falls, ca. 1920
Item 88002   info
Penobscot Marine Museum

When Thomas Ruggles’ new Federal style house was completed in 1820, it was praised as one of the most exquisite homes in Maine.

Ruggles, who had a land grant in Maine, became wealthy cutting and shipping lumber. In 1818, he hired Asa Sherman, a housewright from Marshfield, Massachusetts, to design a fine home for him in Columbia Falls.

Ruggles died within months of moving in, but his descendants continued to live in the house until 1920. Mary Ruggles Chandler, a cousin who was the pharmacist at the drugstore next to the house, was dedicated to restoring the house after it fell into disrepair.

The Ruggles House Society has done further restoration on the house, which is on the National Register of Historic Places.

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