The Hodgman Block, a proud two-story red brick edifice at 21 Main Street in Camden, built in 1893, stands as a testament to the towns resilience after the Great Fire.
Designed in the elegant Colonial Revival style by architect Cyrus P. Brown and crafted by mason Willard S. Giles, it shares a seamless bond with the neighboring Burd Block, their shared stairwell and unified cast iron lintel creating the illusion of a single structure. To the north, it nestles against the wooden Cleveland Building, while its back projects outward further than other Great Fire district buildings.
It overlooks the Megunticook River falls, revealing a three-story facade due to the sloping land. The first floor cast iron storefront, now painted a vibrant robin’s egg blue with gold-accented details, welcomes visitors with a recessed entrance, while a separate doorway leads to the second floor. A wooden deck stretches across the back, connecting the Hodgman and Burd Blocks at the basement level.
George T. Hodgman, a Camden native born in 1860, poured his heart into this building, establishing Hodgman & Co. to sell mens clothing, hats, and fishermen’s rubber gear. A respected selectman, customs collector, postmaster, and state legislator, he partnered with his brother J. Hale Hodgman and later passed the business to employee Maurice Payson.
The store thrived until the 1970s, with the second floor initially home to J. B. Swan & Son, undertakers. Over time, the first floor hosted Maine Gathering, Jo Ellen Designs, and now Wooden Alchemy, showcasing Maine’s unique wooden art and gifts. The second floor, split into two spaces, has warmly served both residents and professionals, embodying Camden’s enduring spirit of community and creativity.