The Southgate House has been a landmark of Dunstan Village, Scarborough, Maine, since the early 1800s. Built around 1805–1810 by members of the Southgate family, the house served as an inn and tavern for travelers along the Portland Road—today’s U.S. Route 1. The Southgates were an influential family in Scarborough’s early history, with Dr. Robert Southgate playing a prominent civic and religious role.
This aerial photo, likely taken in the late 1950s or early 1960s, shows the house’s distinctive wrap-around porch and the surrounding barns and outbuildings that once supported its use as both a home and a working farm. For generations, the Southgate House stood as a welcoming stop for locals and visitors alike, symbolizing the village’s long tradition of hospitality and community life.
The building remains a reminder of Dunstan’s rich past and the families who shaped Scarborough’s history.
Today, the historic Southgate House has been repurposed and now serves as affordable housing managed by Avesta Housing. The property—formerly including the original farmhouse and barns—was fully redeveloped between 2015 and 2018 into a 38-unit residence for individuals and families earning between 50%–60% of the area median income [Source].
The centerpiece, the historic 1805 brick farmhouse built by Dr. Robert Southgate, underwent internal renovation to include eight apartments, while additional apartment buildings were constructed on the surrounding three-acre parcel [Source]. This development was honored with a 2021 Charles L. Edson Tax Credit Excellence Award for its successful fusion of historic preservation and affordable housing [Source]
The Southgate House no longer operates as a farm or inn. Instead, it provides community-focused, income-restricted rental housing, blending its rich history with meaningful contemporary use.
(This article was developed with the help of ChatGPT and edited using Grammarly.)
