A New Look for Water Street
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Un nouvel arrivant dans Water Street

Augusta, Maine

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The Museum in the Streets

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Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., July 30, 2017

1. A New Look for Water Street / Un nouvel arrivant dans Water Street Marker

Holiday shoppers on Water Street in 1932 had a brand new store to shop! That year, the S.S. Kresge five and dime store opened in a modern Art Deco building unique in downtown Augusta. The new building replaced an Italianate block building that once housed the Dirigo Business School, which operated at various sites in Augusta from 1867 to 2003. The new store featured 4,500 square feet of floor space, mahogany counters, and a modern soda fountain. Three large display windows with pink granite bases and ornate copper moldings were a striking feature of the façade. In 1978, Richard Cummings purchased the building and moved his Hallmark Store, named for his daughter Stacy, to the site. In 2007 the façade and its decorative copper were restored to their Art Deco flair.

Les chalands de Noël eurent un tout nouveau magasin où faire leurs achats en 1932! Cette année-là, le grand magasin bon marché S.S. Kresge ouvrit ses portes dans un bâtiment Art Déco unique au centre ville d'Augusta. Le nouveau bâtiment remplaçait un bâtiment de style italianisant qui occupait tout un bloc et abritait l'École de Commerce Dirigo-qui

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possédait plusieurs sites à Augusta de 1867 à 2003. Le nouveau magasin s'étalait sur 500 mètre carrés et possédait des comptoirs en acajou et une buvette moderne. Trois énormes vitrines posées sur des bases en granit rose et entourées de superbes moulures en cuivre rehaussaient la façade. En 1978, Richard Cummings acheta le bâtiment et y mit son magasin Hallmark, à qui il donna le nom de sa fille Stacy. En 2007 la façade et le cuivre furent restaurés pour retrouver leur élégance Art Déco.
 
Erected by The Museum in the Streets. (Marker Number 25.)
 
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Art Deco, and the The Museum in the Streets: Augusta, Maine series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1932.
 
Location. 44° 18.939′ N, 69° 46.446′ W. Marker is in Augusta, Maine, in Kennebec County. It is at the intersection of Water Street and Oak Street, on the left when traveling north on Water Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 244 Water St, Augusta ME 04330, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., July 30, 2017

2. A New Look for Water Street / Un nouvel arrivant dans Water Street Marker

The former Kresge Building is across the street

this marker is in Maine’s Kennebec Valley. It is also in the American Northeast and in New England. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: They Were Superior Buildings / Des bâtiments pittoresques (a few steps from this marker); The Great Fire / Le Grand incendie (a few steps from this marker); An Ornament to the City / Un joyau de la ville (within shouting distance of this marker); Augusta's Publishing Empire / L'empire de l'édition à Augusta (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Market Square / La place du Marché (about 300 feet away); Old Fort Western on the Kennebec (about 300 feet away); D.W. Adams Department Store / Le grand magasin de D.W. Adams (about 400 feet away); Granite Block / Un Bâtiment en granit (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Augusta.
 
Also see . . .
1. Kresge Building (Augusta ME) National Register Information. (Submitted on December 8, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
2. S.S. Kresge Company History.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., July 30, 2017

3. Former S.S. Kresge Building

(Submitted on December 8, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
3. The Museum in the Streets Tour Map, Augusta, Maine. (Submitted on December 8, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)

 

 
Credits. This page was last revised on March 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 8, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 577 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3. submitted on December 8, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.