THE ELDEN-BOUTELLE-ARNOLD BLOCK
103-115 Main Street

The Elden-Boutelle-Arnold Block was built from 1886-1894. John Calvin Stevens was the architect for this Queen Anne style block.

W. B. Arnold, hardware dealer, built his third of the block in 1886-7. In 1948 103 Main Street was purchased. The second floor was used for their sporting goods and company offices. The Arnold Block was a hardware store and was probably the largest retail and wholesale store in the State of Maine. It closed its doors in 1962 because of increased competition. The senior Arnold continued the heating and plumbing supply business in the basement until his death in 1969. The building is still owned by the Arnold family.

Dr. Boutelle built the middle section in 1887 and leased it to the Bangor News Company. Alden & Deehan's Drug Store replaced that business in 1890. In 1892-3 the Boutelle Block housed Miss A. A. Gleason who sold “fashionable millinery”.

J. F. Elden & Co. built the final third of this block in 1893. The Elden building on the corner of Temple & Main is the only section of the block that has retained its cast iron columns. It was home to J.F. Elden & Company purveyors of furniture, carpets, and house furnishings.

Today this block is home to retail shops on the ground level and offices and apartments on the upper floors.