Description
Spy Rock Farm, formerly known as the Randall Homestead, was one of Harpswell's original salt-water farms having been first settled in 1732 and actively farmed until 1953. The main house was constructed by the Randall family in 1839 and is the only Greek Revival Cape known to have been built in Harpswell. It is also the only historic brick house on Harpswell Neck. The original shingle-sided farmhouse was built in 1738, was rebuilt after a fire, and was later attached to the newer brick house where it stands today. The farm's 51 acres consists of 38 acres of hard and soft wood forest, 6 acres of open fields, three small ponds, wetlands, and a 4 acre homestead area including fields, orchards, lawns and gardens.
Easement Acquired: 1999
Property Owner: Private
Easement Holder: HHLT
Easement Purpose
To protect and preserve in perpetuity the scenic character of Spy Rock Farm as seen from the Harpswell Neck Road and the waters of Middle Bay, the natural habitat for field, forest and wetland flora and fauna, and the historic and aesthetic values of the eastern facade of the farm house. Forest management and agricultural activities consistent with the purposes of the easement are allowed as is continued residential use in the homestead area.
Public Access: No
Other
From the August 4, 1949 Brunswick Record
The Maine Home of the Week
By Margaret B. Todd
The Randall Homestead at North Harpswell, presently the home of Thomas A. Randall, has the distinction of being the only brick house on Harpswell Neck. The homestead property contains some 67 acres and the charming old house and gardens sit well in on a private road about one-quarter mile from Route 123. The house was built by Capt. Paul Randall, grandfather of the present occupant, in 1839. Although it is said that Capt. Paul had little formal schooling, he was well educated man and served as lawyer and surveyor for his neighbors. He was also a boat designer and had an interest in many of the boats built in the vicinity, according to the meticulous records he kept and which are still intact. A complete blueprint for a boat was once drawn to scale upon the attic floor, but the design is now obliterated. Capt. Paul organized a company of volunteer militiamen and thus earned his military title.
Granite for the foundation, doorstep and ornamental pieces over windows was hauled by ox-team from Growstown. The original house, built in 1738 and situated down in the field, was moved to abut the new brick house, thus forming an ell. The bricks for the new house came from Stover's brickyard.
Capt. Paul quite evidently heeded the Biblical allusion to the wise man "which built his house upon rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. Capt. Paul built his house upon a rock--an amazingly level ledge that extends under both house and ell. The house has weathered the 110 years so well that the foundation has never been pointed up, nor have any major repairs been needed. The attractive old front door of unusual pattern featuring two crosses opens into an ample hallway out of which rises the stairway to the second floor. To the left is the parlor, painted and papered exactly as it was 51 years ago. Incidentally, the entire house is plastered, with air space between. The fireplace has been bricked up but otherwise the room remains the same as it was in Capt. Paul's day. Three large windows on two sides afford an excellent view. The room is furnished appropriately: grape chairs, ornate organ, hurricane lamps of ancient vintage, and a horse-hair sofa sporting a gay chintz cover. There is interesting hand-carved woodwork detail here especially under the windows. The complete set of woodworking tools used for this work is in Mr. Randall's possession.
To the right of the main entrance is the living room which in the old days was Capt. Pau1's dining room. As one stands on the threshold, one sees three doors to the left. These open to master bedroom, bath and cellarway respectively. On the far side, a door opens to the kitchen. Adjacent to the kitchen door is the original fireplace with cast iron frame and brass knobs. The fireplace is fitted with the original crane and andirons. Woodwork and wainscoting here are painted a soft blue. Attractive wallpaper with blue predominating completes the wall treatment. Ruffled white organdy frames the windows.
The master bedroom is an unusually large room and affords an excellent view. It connects with the parlor bedroom. This room is presently in the throes of being "done over."
The bath is tiled to the ceiling in medium blue with white. There are ample built-in drawers and cupboards for towels and toiletries.
The kitchen is a cheerful, bright, compact workroom with all modern conveniences. Off the kitchen to the left is a small pantry which connects with the 211 year-old ell is an amazing structure and full of surprises. There's a plastered ceiling and the building was once paneled in pumpkin pine, a portion of which remains in plain view. The rest was use for kindling, so the story goes. The old windows in original frames contain nine lights over six lights. In the loft overhead is Elijah Kellogg's old sleigh with whiffletree.
Retracing steps to the main entrance hall once again, we climb the front stairs to explore the second floor. Upstairs, we find a large bedroom, a "dark bedroom" (no windows), presently used for storage, and the fabulous attic. Construction in the attic is unique, rafters, having been reinforced with hackmatack knees. Wooden joists are hand-pegged. Here one finds Capt. Paul's calf-hide chest with hair worn off, of course), spinning wheels, 'sea' chests, trunks, all bursting with exciting mementos of yesteryear. Old china? Of course, flowing blue and Staffordshire. Here, too, is a model .... using frogs for sailors.
The attic has a double flooring. Under boards are exceptionally fine and wide, many measuring 23 inches or more. It is suspected that these may have been King's mast pine and that they were used in under flooring to escape the eagle eyes of His Majesty's henchmen.
Next is a visit to the cellar. Here one finds an 18-foot deep freeze. An old arch under the kitchen fireplace holds shelves for storage. Here too is a "set kettle" for soap making. In the old days, the mistress of the house not only made her own soap, but made the lye from wood ashes. Cellar construction is interesting for 4 and 5-foot stones have been used. Hand- hewn overhead beams are notched. Here too one notices the especially fine wide boards. New cement steps and modern cellar doors make the cellar way safe. Time was, when, in early spring, a cow fell into the ce1lar and caused considerable confusion. The house, old house, wagon house, horse barn, cow barn and kennels are all connected in approved New England fashion. Other buildings on the property include two cottages on the hill: "Spy Rock" and "Top of the World".
Among the animals now on the farm is Dolly, 41-year-old horse that has been taught to shake hands and nod "Yes" and "No." Goats include three milches which give an average of 11 quarts of milk daily. One goat is a registered Nub1an, Princess Patricia of Sighing Pines Farm. There were triplets born in April and twins early in July. The Crystal ball at the farm says the twins will follow the triplets to the freezer in a short time.