What Is Water Street?
This historic district is made up of fifty-one buildings along Water Street that tell the story of Augusta’s growth as a city from 1835 until 1957!
What Makes It Historical?
Representing Greek Revival, Italianate, Art Deco, and plenty more architectural styles, the buildings along Water Street form an almost continuous block! It’s one of the oldest districts in the city, rising up at the farthest point inland that large ships could travel on the Kennebec River. Its growth was driven by building booms, first with the installation of the Edwards Dam in 1837 then the opening of the Kennebec and Portland Railroad in 1851! The textile mills and grist mills that rose up here brought in workers, who needed services, all of which could be conveniently constructed along Water Street! Ironically, much of Water Street burned down in 1865, but after a brick-based rebuilding boom, this district saw the arrival of a glorious post office (1890), the Bussell and Weston Department Store (1909), and the Colonial Theater (1913), among other forms of entertainment that made the Water Street District so popular!
How Can I #HelpTheHelpers?
- Volunteer with the Kennebec Historical Society!
- Donate to the Kennebec Historical Society!
- Be a responsible visitor! Please respect the signs and pathways, and treat all structures and artifacts with respect. They’ve endured a lot to survive into the present. They’ll need our help to make it into the future!
How Do I Get There?
71 to 286 Water Street
Augusta, ME 04330
(Take Me There!)
When Should I Visit?
Whenever the mood strikes you!
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