Jordan House (48 Pine Street)

Still standing, the “Jordan House” at 48 Pine Street in Ellsworth was a boarding house (or rooming house, or “guest house”) from the 1930s until (possibly) the 1990s. It sits on a large lot that fronts on Pine Street and extends completely through to Spruce Street, just opposite the back parking lot of the present-day Post Office. Purchased from representatives of the estate of Elva G. Judd on April Fool’s Day, 2000, the present owner gives his residence as Trenton—and the Pine Street property remains abandoned.

The Jordan House is mentioned in the “Maine Militia Record Book,” a bound volume containing handwritten regimental orders and reports concerning the detachment of the A Company of the Light Infantry of the 4th Regiment, 1st Brigade, 3rd Division of the Maine Militia from their mobilization into active service on 18 February 1839 through their discharge on 23 April 1939. Two draft handwritten telegram forms were inserted into the book, dating from the 1930s, requesting payment from the Country Commander of the American Legion for accommodations at the Jordan House, presumably sent from the proprietor.

The oldest Hancock County deed on record for the property is from 1892, is handwritten, and shows a transfer from Hancock County Savings Bank to Nellie M. Crippen (“unmarried ... of Boston”). Crippen sold the property to Fred H. MacFarland in 1909, and MacFarland’s wife sold the property to Eugene P. Jordan in 1921. Whether this was the Jordan for whom “Jordan House” took its name is not known, but Eugene Jordan held the property for only four years, selling it in 1925 to the owner most associated with its history—Effie M. Gilman.

Effie Gilman and Sisters 

Effie M. Gilman (formerly Effie M. Googins) ran the Jordan House from the 1930s until the 1970s, when it was taken over by Effie’s daughter Elva and her husband Will Judd. Effie died in 1984. 

In the 1940 census, Effie, age 48, was named as wife of the head of the household. Her husband was New Jersey-born Moses Gilman, age 49. Seven other souls were listed as residing at the 48 Pine Street house: the Gilman’s son Elvin (age 22), Effie’s mother Eliza McKenney (age 72), Effie’s sister Grace McKenney (age 49), Ralph Hilyard (age 39), Patrick Dunn (age 75), Marjorie Emery (age 24), and Frank Adams (age 36). The latter four persons listed were, presumably, guests.

One source of information indicates that Effie had another sister living with her and her sister Grace in the Jordan House named Hope, but nothing further is known by this writer about her.

Effie’s sister Grace McKenney had an antique shop at the Route 1 triangle, next door to the (historic) Triangle Diner, about where Governor’s restaurant is now located. One source indicates that Grace was also the 5th and 6th grade teacher at the Pine Street School. She drove a jeep, apparently, and liked to tell the stories behind the antiques that she had for sale.

Many Personal Memories

Realtor Kiki Katsiaficas Silsby has posted many of her memories of the Jordan House on the Facebook page “Growing Up in Ellsworth” (GUIE). Mrs. Silsby’s father, the Ellsworth coach Charlie Katsiaficas, rented one of the tiny back rooms on the third floor of the Jordan House when he first came to Ellsworth. His rent was $13 per week and included excellent meals. There were many “beautiful old furnishings” throughout the house.

They had a small sitting room that had a wooden phone booth in it! They always allowed us to play there but we were NEVER allowed up the staircase. Most of the residents were elderly and would tell us stories, pass out candy and loved the excitement that Dad and five active kids would bring into the house when we visited. He lived there for quite a while, and after he moved he'd go back and do chores around the house and yard for them.

More than one person remembers the popcorn balls made by the ladies of the Jordan House, which were apparently the best to be had in Ellsworth. The molasses cookies and “little biscuits” were not bad, either. Raspberry bushes grew on the Spruce Street side of the premises, and more than one resident of Spruce Street recalls sneaking in to taste the berries.

Many current or former Ellsworth residents had family members who worked at the Jordan House, and Diane Sims Burke (posting on GUIE) has recalled being hired at age 11! 

I worked there the summer of '59. I was 11 years old and wanted an allowance. My folks said if I wanted an allowance I had best find a job. Help Wanted placard in the window. Went in and applied. Think they were so shocked that they decided to take a chance. They took me down to city hall to get allowance to hire me. Worked there all summer washing dishes and busing tables. Could not get away with it today. Loved it and loved them.

Architectural Gem 

Jordan House still has the original curved glass windows and panes, although some windows of the second floor are replacements. Some original windows opened “out” rather than “up.”

Typical of Ellsworth’s old residences, the fine detailing of the wood frame construction—despite advanced deterioration—is still there to admire. The building is laid out with an extended el that features on the western side a fairly deep overhang. As with nearly every old Ellsworth home, the property had a barn that was razed long ago.

The 1949 city assessor’s report, which classed the structure as a “hotel” with a garage and a hen house, listed a full basement (dirt floor), seven rooms on the first floor, twelve on the second, and four on the third. The floor joists are 3 × 8 with 20” O/C. In 1949, the furnace was a coal stoker.

The interior of the house was inspected in 1976, and the witness (the city requires a witness to inspections) refused to sign the card. Some floor sag was noted in the main part of the house.

A main entrance wheelchair ramp was added in 1995.

The Story of an Admirer

This writer first viewed Jordan House in late September of 1993, during his first adult visit to Ellsworth (from Washington, DC) when he was 34. My uncle was Director of Hancock County Emergency Management and required to be in the office until 12:30, thus pushing any guided tours into the after-lunch hours. I killed the morning walking around downtown, and I remember vividly walking southwest on Pine Street and seeing the beautifully maintained, rectangular lawn of the Jordan House as it unfurled, dotted with tulips and flowering bushes. Adirondack chairs sat invitingly below the porch. The sight became an image for me of Ellsworth itself: quaint, manicured, and calm under the September sun.

Twenty-four years later, life—in one of her many unanticipated turns—brought me to live in Ellsworth. My “new” (old) house was on Elm Street, one block over from Pine. The day my partner and I arrived, as we were walking our two dogs down Elm, over on Hancock, and then up Pine, past the Baptist Church, slowly the realization occurred to me that the urban jungle I was observing halfway up the block was what remained of the property so beautifully docketed in my memory. I was so shocked I simply stood staring at the property, struggling with the visual evidence.

It is likely too late for the Jordan House, but it is my hope that we can continue to raise awareness and improve the future for other examples of Ellsworth’s lovely old buildings and homes.