Grow Rumford, Rumford, Maine 04276 

Home / Opportunities / Research and feasibility reports / Residents' page/ Facts and links/ Foreclosure auctions/Econ conference news/Franchise options/ Contact us

Strathglass Park: Rumford's unique but tarnished jewel Town in 2005 said it would help revive Strathglass but the effort stalled The town of Rumford has something found in few other New England communities: an historic, architecturally-significant, century-old neighborhood.  Add that it's on the National Register of Historic Places.  Add that homeowners can buy into the neighborhood for under $40,000.  Add it all up and Strathglas Park, a section of approximately 100 units on four streets, is clearly one of the primary assets of the community. (To see a video documentary on Strathglass, click here.) But it is a neglected asset, in decline.  Streets and sidewalks are not maintained, buildings are in disrepair and many of the properties have been used for low income rentals, creating what might be politely referred to as "social issues", from disruptive adolescents to litter to unleashed dogs. The paradox presents a challenge to investors and  homeowners.  It is possible to buy into the "Park" cheaply, but getting a reasonable return on the investment will probably require any investor to get involved not only financially, but in the community as well. Strathglass Park was one of the first planned communities in Maine. It was built by the entrepreneur Hugh J. Chisholm as laid out in his 1891 “Plan for Rumford Falls.” Around the turn of the 19th century hundreds of immigrants were streaming into Rumford to work in the paper mills. Chisholm established the Rumford Real Estate Company in 1901 in order to build housing for many of the employees. In 1902 construction of Strathglass Park began. The park was named after Chisholm’s country estate in upstate New York, and designed by New York City architect Cass Gilbert. Gilbert and Chisholm traveled to Scotland together, and following their visit Gilbert designed fifty-one duplex houses, four single-family dwellings, and nine apartment houses, all constructed of brick. For many years Strathglass Park was home to mill employees, many of whom were managers. However, following World War II, Strathglass Park began to fall into decline. Several factors can be attributed to this deterioration, including the sale of the Oxford Paper Mill in 1967 to the Ethyl Corporation. Prior to the sale, the Oxford Paper Mill paid for the Strathglass Park maintenance program. Today, with that subsidy long gone, the ornate brick facades and slate tiled roofs are in disrepair, and many original architectural features are missing.

Photo courtesy of Jennifer Stowell-Norris Because of Strathglass Park’s historical significance and unique architecture, it was listed as a historic district in the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. At present, there is no preservation master plan, design guidelines or maintenance program in place for the Park. In 2005, a local community activitist, Len Greaney, prodded the town to take action on Strathglas Park.  With the cooperation of then town manager Steve Eldredge, a meeting of property owners and renters was held, and a survey was taken of their concerns, to try to identify how the town government might help the area recover. The meeting and subsequent survey identified specific goals for the local government and Strathglas residents.  These included creating a residents' association for Strathglas Park and having the town address infrastructure including broken sidewalks and signage, and enforcement issues including parking, leash laws and better control over neighborhood adolescents.  After the meetings and the survey, however, no further action was taken.  Now, a Strathglass Property Owners Association has been formed to begin to act on the problems identified.  See the story below. For investors and property owners, there is an appeal in an architecturally significant and beautiful half-duplex that can be purchased for the price of a mid-priced new car.  Whether such an appealing investment can turn into a profitable one may involve the investors and owners spending not only their money, but also the time and effort needed to help Strathglas take the steps necessary to revitalization. Here, in .pdf form, is a paper on the history of Strathglas Park by Jennifer Stowell-Norris.

Here are some examples of units for sale in Strathglass Park now: 33 Erchless St., half duplex, 4 bedrooms, 1 bath, asking $51,500 INFO 8 Clachan Place, half duplex, 4 bedrooms, 1 bath, asking $49,500 INFO 41 Loch Ness Rd., half duplex, 4 bedrooms, 1 bath, asking $45,000 NOW UNDER FORECLOSURE 31 Urquhart St., half duplex, 4 bedrooms, 1 bath, needs work, asking $39,900 INFO Here are some examples of recent sales in Strathglas Park: 25-27 Erchles St., both halves of duplex, 8 beds, $102,000 11/25/05 27-29 Loch Ness, both halves of duplex, 8 bedrooms, $70,000  6/22/07 2 Erchles St., half duplex, 4 bedrooms, $49,999, 7/26/05

Now: Strathglass owners start organization to revive historic area A new property owners' association for Strathglass Park was launched April 26 as seventeen owners of buildings in the Park met at the Rumford Library to discuss ways to revitalize the neighborhood. The new organization, formed by a unanimous vote of those present, will, according to its mission statement, "promote the welfare of Strathglass Park while maintaining its historical integrity and aesthetics for the benefit of Strathglass residents and the town of Rumford as a whole." The group grew out of an effort begun by several interested Rumford residents, supported by a grant from this website, Grow Rumford. It is a renewal of efforts made two years by Rumford resident Len Greaney and then town manager Steve Eldredge. The new Strathglass Property Owners Association was formed after two initial exploratory meetings supported by Grow Rumford. After several meetings, the group chose Strathglass residents Audrey Guay as chair, Debra Hertell as secretary and Sarah Myles as treasurer.  Membership, with dues at $15 a year, is open to any owner of a unit in Strathglass. Tenants and other Rumford residents are welcome to attend Association meetings, but will not have voting rights. Eventual plans for the Association include possible Spring clean-up, improving security and organizing a neighborhood watch, seeking technical advice and other assistance for the restoration of the historic buildings, new signage explaining the historical heritage of the Park, working out bulk purchasing and discount arrangements with local businesses for park residents, and advocating for Strathglass residents with local, state and federal governments.  For more information about the new organization, check the group's website at http://www.strathglasspark.bravehost.com or email the group at strathglasspark@yahoo.com

Comments? Visit our new message forum
Free Forums by Bravenet.com

2 Three family in shady quiet section of Rumford, fully rented and in good shapewith all new electric, plumbing and boiler.  $137,000.

6. Town owned business/industrial park: The town of Rumford is developing an 18-lot commercial subdivision with lots sized two to five acres, town sewer and water, and a natural gas pipeline running nearby.  The project is stil in early stages, with the roads still unpaved and the town is stalled in deciding how to market or price the properties.  Government stalemate could mean private opportunity, as the town might be open to turning the whole project over to a developer, or selling one or two of the most completed lots now at a modest price just to kick start the development.  Contact the town or we can help you if you email info@growrumford.com

8. Fascinating building, many possible uses

   This is a great early-20th century style building, once used as an auto body shop.  Cement block construction leaves a big open space inside for just about anything.  It could be used quickly for any motor-related business, from another repair shop to something like a motorcycle or ATV dealership.  But more fascinating is the possibility of turning those doors into big windows, putting in sheetrock and wood flooring and creating an elegant large interior space perfect for a fancy restaurant or pleasant offices.  Large basement, below street level, would be great kitchen or meeting room space.  Small office space on second level.  Owner is accepting offers under $100k.