National Register Listing

College Block-Lisbon Block

248--274 Lisbon St., Lewiston, ME

Originally called the Lisbon Block, this structure is one of the first commercial blocks erected on south Lisbon Street. It was built by several incorporators of the Franklin Company in an attempt to induce commercial development in proximity to the mills.

Restrictions included in an early transfer deed limited the structure's height to one story prior to April 1, 1865, and three stories after that. Building materials were also stipulated as follows: walls of brick or stone with iron, a metal slated roof, and metal gutters. Its use was also limited to either stores or shops. Town meetings were held in the building prior to the incorporation of the city in 1863. The city charter was approved here in 1862 and the building housed the early city offices until its completion of the City Building in 1872. Several early mayors were inaugurated in Lisbon Hall. The Lisbon Block housed the Manufacturers and Mechanics Library, founded in 1860. The Library grew to become one of the largest in Maine and contained many rare historical volumes. It was moved to the city Building and was considerably reduced by the fire in 1890. Many churches held early meetings in Lisbon Block including:

• the Universalist Society, 1858-1860;


• the Bates Street Universalist Church, 1864-66;


• the Pine Street Free Baptist Church, 1869.

Between 1875 and 1881, the various owners donated and sold their shares to Bates College and the building became known as the College Block. The College Block has long been associated with cultural activity in Lewiston and is especially associated with the Franco-American community. Institute Jaques-Cartier, Lewiston's first Pranco-American society, began as Societe Sainte Jean-Baptiste with a mass meeting held in January 1872 in this building. In 1875, the organization merged with the Institut Jacques-Cartier, a literary club that held previous meetings in the Dominican Block on Lincoln Street. The Institut held meetings on the third floor of the College Block until 1939 when they erected a separate building on the opposite corner of Lincoln and Chestnut Streets. The Musical and Literary Club has occupied the third floor of the College Block since its founding in November 1888. This club was created by the union of the Chorale Ste. Cecile and the Cercle Cremazie and was organized to present dramas and operas in the French language. Its founder, Henry F. Roy, served as a representative to the Maine legislature from 1925-27. Unite Franco-Americane has used the old club rooms of the Musical Literary Club since its incorporation in 1975. Over the years the hall has temporarily accommodated many of the city's fraternal societies and related organizations. Lewiston's first telephone was installed in John Garner's store.

Local significance of the building:
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1986.