Frye, Sen. William P., House
453-461 Main St., Lewiston, METhe William P. Frye House, designed in 1874 by George M. Coombs of Lewiston, is one of the finest examples of the Second Empire style of architecture in the city of Lewiston. One of Coombs' early works, the house was owned by William Pierce Frye, United States Senator, representing Maine in that capacity from 1881 to his death in 1911. An outstanding citizen of Maine during the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, Frye served as a State Representative from Lewiston, Mayor of Lewiston, State Attorney General, and trustee of Bowdoin College. Frye also served Maine in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Born in Lewiston, Maine on September 2, 1830, Frye attended public. schools in Lewiston and graduated from Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine in 1850. Frye studied law, was admitted to the bar, and commenced practice in Rockland, Maine in 1853.
Frye's political career began when he returned to Lewiston to practice law and was elected to the State Legislature in 1861. He was re-elected in 1862 and 1867. He served as Lewiston's mayor from 1866-67 and as the Attorney General of Maine from 1867-1869. He was a presidential elector on the Republican ticket of Lincoln and Johnson in 1864.
Frye became involved further in national politics as a delegate to the Republican National Convention at Philadelphia in 1872 and at the Chicago Convention in 1880. He was elected to the U.S. Congress in 1870, where he served until 1881. It was during this period that Frye succeeded James G. Blaine as the foremost Republican leader in Maine. He also replaced Blaine as chairman of the Republican State Committee in November 1881.
On March 18, 1881, Frye succeeded Blaine as Maine's United States Senator, since the latter had resigned that post to become President Garfield's Secretary of State. In his thirty years in the Senate, Frye spoke out on many national and international issues, although he assumed a traditional position of Republican party loyalty.
On February 7, 1896, Frye was elected President pro-tempore of the Senate, serving in that capacity until April 1911. In September 1898 Senator Frye joined the peace commission which met in Paris to adjust the terms for settlement of the Spanish-American War. Senator Frye died in Lewiston, Maine on August 8, 1911.
William Frye epitomized the Maine Republican politician of the Gilded Age in American history. Conservative in both his lifestyle and his politics, he found it much easier to vote the party line than to allow conscience to enter into political consideration. There is evidence enough, however, to suggest that for William Frye, the Republican party and all that it embraced and adhered to was his conscience. The time eventually came when his intense party devotion (what critics charged was blind loyalty) was an embarrassment, even for the Republican party. Nonetheless, Frye must be considered alongside of Blaine, Sewall, and Reed as an outstanding political leader of his day.
Local significance of the building:
Born in Lewiston, Maine on September 2, 1830, Frye attended public. schools in Lewiston and graduated from Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine in 1850. Frye studied law, was admitted to the bar, and commenced practice in Rockland, Maine in 1853.
Frye's political career began when he returned to Lewiston to practice law and was elected to the State Legislature in 1861. He was re-elected in 1862 and 1867. He served as Lewiston's mayor from 1866-67 and as the Attorney General of Maine from 1867-1869. He was a presidential elector on the Republican ticket of Lincoln and Johnson in 1864.
Frye became involved further in national politics as a delegate to the Republican National Convention at Philadelphia in 1872 and at the Chicago Convention in 1880. He was elected to the U.S. Congress in 1870, where he served until 1881. It was during this period that Frye succeeded James G. Blaine as the foremost Republican leader in Maine. He also replaced Blaine as chairman of the Republican State Committee in November 1881.
On March 18, 1881, Frye succeeded Blaine as Maine's United States Senator, since the latter had resigned that post to become President Garfield's Secretary of State. In his thirty years in the Senate, Frye spoke out on many national and international issues, although he assumed a traditional position of Republican party loyalty.
On February 7, 1896, Frye was elected President pro-tempore of the Senate, serving in that capacity until April 1911. In September 1898 Senator Frye joined the peace commission which met in Paris to adjust the terms for settlement of the Spanish-American War. Senator Frye died in Lewiston, Maine on August 8, 1911.
William Frye epitomized the Maine Republican politician of the Gilded Age in American history. Conservative in both his lifestyle and his politics, he found it much easier to vote the party line than to allow conscience to enter into political consideration. There is evidence enough, however, to suggest that for William Frye, the Republican party and all that it embraced and adhered to was his conscience. The time eventually came when his intense party devotion (what critics charged was blind loyalty) was an embarrassment, even for the Republican party. Nonetheless, Frye must be considered alongside of Blaine, Sewall, and Reed as an outstanding political leader of his day.
Politics/government; Architecture
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1976.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
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Maine has a strong maritime heritage: Maine has a rich maritime heritage that is evident in its lighthouses, fishing villages, and seafaring traditions. The state has over 60 lighthouses, more than any other state in the country.
About Androscoggin County
Androscoggin County Timeline
Androscoggin County, located in the state of Maine, has a rich and diverse history that dates back centuries. The area was historically inhabited by the Abenaki Native American tribe who utilized the Androscoggin River, which runs through the county, for transportation, fishing, and trade. European settlers arrived in the early 17th century, with the first permanent settlement established in the 1630s.
The region saw significant growth during the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century. The Androscoggin River played a crucial role in the development of textile mills, shoe factories, and paper mills, transforming the area into a major industrial center. Communities like Lewiston and Auburn became thriving manufacturing hubs, attracting a large immigrant population, particularly French-Canadians and Irish immigrants, who came to work in the mills.
The county faced challenges during the Great Depression in the 1930s, with the closure of many mills and factories leading to high unemployment rates. However, Androscoggin County remained resilient and diversified its economy by expanding into other industries like healthcare and higher education. The establishment of institutions like Bates College and hospitals helped to stabilize the region economically and provide new opportunities for its residents.
In recent years, Androscoggin County has experienced revitalization efforts focused on preserving its history and promoting tourism. The area boasts a wealth of historical landmarks, including the Bates Mill complex and various museums, which attract visitors interested in learning about its industrial past. Additionally, the county's natural beauty, with its rivers, parks, and lakes, has made it a popular destination for outdoor recreational activities. Overall, Androscoggin County's history is characterized by industrial growth, cultural diversity, and the ability to adapt to changing economic circumstances.
The region saw significant growth during the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century. The Androscoggin River played a crucial role in the development of textile mills, shoe factories, and paper mills, transforming the area into a major industrial center. Communities like Lewiston and Auburn became thriving manufacturing hubs, attracting a large immigrant population, particularly French-Canadians and Irish immigrants, who came to work in the mills.
The county faced challenges during the Great Depression in the 1930s, with the closure of many mills and factories leading to high unemployment rates. However, Androscoggin County remained resilient and diversified its economy by expanding into other industries like healthcare and higher education. The establishment of institutions like Bates College and hospitals helped to stabilize the region economically and provide new opportunities for its residents.
In recent years, Androscoggin County has experienced revitalization efforts focused on preserving its history and promoting tourism. The area boasts a wealth of historical landmarks, including the Bates Mill complex and various museums, which attract visitors interested in learning about its industrial past. Additionally, the county's natural beauty, with its rivers, parks, and lakes, has made it a popular destination for outdoor recreational activities. Overall, Androscoggin County's history is characterized by industrial growth, cultural diversity, and the ability to adapt to changing economic circumstances.
Androscoggin County Timeline
This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Androscoggin County, Maine.
- 1854 - Androscoggin County is established by the Maine Legislature on March 18
- 1873 - The county seat is moved from Auburn to Lewiston
- 1890 - Bates College is founded in Lewiston
- 19th century - Mills along the Androscoggin River drive the local economy
- 1930s - The textile industry in the county starts to decline
- Late 20th century - Lewiston and Auburn experience a period of economic restructuring
- 2000s - The county focuses on diversifying its economy and promoting tourism