THE CLUCKEY BLOCK
Rancourt Block, 40-44 Main

The original Cluckey Block was built in 1890 and housed The Corner Store Dry Goods Company. Their advertisements bragged that they were the largest and only complete department store in central Maine. They had five complete stores under one roof. They were a millinery store, coat and suit store, dry goods store, clothing store, and boot and shoe store.

Dr. Charles Rancourt purchased the building in 1934, and in 1936 there was a spectacular fire. It was said that a homeless person got into the building, was either smoking or lit a fire, fell asleep, and the building was leveled. Being the depths of the depression, the question to rebuild was a hard one. The Augusta, Maine architectural firm of Bunker & Savage was hired and created this rare example of Art Deco architecture.

Renovated in 2000, steel girders were installed and, because the fascia brick had separated from the main wall, the dryvit system was used to restore the facade. This also allowed for the installation of insulation in the walls. Presently The Paragon Shop, Classic Tuxedos and Kreider Research occupy the first floor, with offices on the second floor.