Peacock Tavern

Peacock Tavern is a historic tavern building on United States Route 201 in Richmond, Maine. Built in 1807, it is associated with the early transportation history of the Kennebec Valley and is recognized as one of the oldest surviving buildings in the surrounding rural community. The building stands above Pleasant Pond, opposite the entrance to Peacock Beach State Park, on a route that historically connected Augusta and Portland. The tavern was constructed by Benjamin Shaw, who had previously operated a store near the shoreline at the junction of Cobbosseecontee Stream and Pleasant Pond. Shaw later sold the building to Edward Peacock, whose ownership gave the tavern its enduring name. Its original role was tied to the post-road system: travelers, local residents, and commercial traffic used the road before rail transportation and later motor vehicles changed movement through the region. The building is a two-story, wood-frame Federal-period structure with clapboard siding and a hip roof. Its front elevation is seven bays wide, combining a conventional five-bay arrangement with additional asymmetrically placed windows. The entrance is distinguished by sidelights, pilasters, a carved entablature, and a dentillated cornice. Inside, surviving features include relatively simple Federal woodwork, wall paneling, fireplace mantels, and wainscoting. A replacement newel post on the main staircase is identified as a twentieth-century reproduction. A two-bay ell was added to the left and rear of the main block during the nineteenth century. The property's municipal setting changed over time. Because historical town boundaries shifted and early land surveys were imprecise, the site was at different times associated with Pittston, Litchfield, and Bowdoinham. By the early 1820s, the tavern's location had become part of Richmond. The arrival of the railroad in the Kennebec Valley reduced traffic on the former post road for a period, but the growth of automobile travel later revived the building's roadside importance. During the automobile era, Peacock Tavern and nearby Peacock Beach became associated with roadhouse and tourist activity. The State of Maine subsequently owned the tavern as part of Peacock Beach State Park. The property was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986, reflecting its architectural integrity and connection to regional transportation and settlement history. In 1987, the state sold the tavern to private owners Dennis and Susan Cloukey, who retained it until 1990. Christine and Christopher Faris purchased it in 1993. The available reference material does not establish the building's current owner, operating status, or whether it continues to function as a public tavern or hospitality business. Accordingly, Peacock Tavern is best documented as a named historic property and former roadside hospitality site rather than as a conventional contemporary consumer brand.

Peacock Tavern was built in 1807 by Benjamin Shaw along the post road leading south from Augusta, a historically important route between Augusta and Portland. Before constructing the tavern, Shaw operated a store near the shore of Pleasant Pond, close to the junction with Cobbosseecontee Stream. He later sold the tavern to Edward Peacock, whose name became attached to the property. The building served a community and transportation network that predated the railroad and automobile. Its location made it a stopping point on the post road and connected it to the commercial and social life of the surrounding rural area. The property was later enlarged by a two-bay ell extending to the left and rear of the original structure. Changes in municipal boundaries and uncertain early surveys meant that the site was historically associated with several neighboring towns, including Pittston, Litchfield, and Bowdoinham. In the early 1820s, it became part of Richmond. Railroad development in the Kennebec Valley reduced traffic along the old post road for a time. Automobile travel subsequently restored the area's significance as a roadside destination, and Peacock Tavern became associated with roadhouse activity and tourism linked to nearby Peacock Beach. The building was eventually acquired by the State of Maine and incorporated into Peacock Beach State Park. Architecturally, the tavern is a two-story wood-frame Federal-period building with clapboard siding and a hip roof. Its seven-bay front includes a five-bay central arrangement supplemented by asymmetrically positioned windows. The entrance has sidelights and pilasters and is topped by a carved entablature and dentillated cornice. Interior features include Federal-period paneling, fireplace mantels, and wainscoting. The main stair's newel post is a twentieth-century reproduction, while much of the remaining interior is described as simple but well preserved. The property was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986. The State of Maine sold it to Dennis and Susan Cloukey in 1987, and they owned it until 1990. Christine and Christopher Faris purchased the tavern in 1993. The available sources do not identify subsequent owners or confirm the building's current commercial use. Its documented significance rests primarily on its preservation as an early nineteenth-century tavern, architectural landmark, and reminder of Maine's pre-railroad and automobile-era travel history.

• 1993

  Faris purchase

  [1]Peacock Tavernen.wikipedia.org

  Christine and Christopher Faris purchased Peacock Tavern.

• 1990

  Cloukey ownership ends

  [1]Peacock Tavernen.wikipedia.org

  Dennis and Susan Cloukey's ownership of the property ended.

• 1987

  Transfer to private ownership

  [1]Peacock Tavernen.wikipedia.org

  The State of Maine sold the tavern to Dennis and Susan Cloukey after the property had been part of Peacock Beach State Park.

• 1986

  National Register listing

  [1]Peacock Tavernen.wikipedia.org

  Peacock Tavern was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

• 1820

  Site becomes part of Richmond

  [1]Peacock Tavernen.wikipedia.org

  Following earlier changes in town boundaries, the location became part of Richmond in the early 1820s.

• 1807

  Tavern constructed

  [1]Peacock Tavernen.wikipedia.org

  Benjamin Shaw built the tavern along the historic post road south from Augusta.

• Nineteenth-century ell added

  [1]Peacock Tavernen.wikipedia.org

  A two-bay ell was added to the left and rear of the original tavern building during the nineteenth century.

A historic roadside tavern and architectural landmark associated with Federal-period design, early post-road travel, automobile-era tourism, and Peacock Beach in Richmond, Maine.

• 1987

  State sale of the historic propertyOther

  Background

  Peacock Tavern had been owned by the State of Maine as part of Peacock Beach State Park after its earlier role as a roadside tavern and roadhouse.

  Action taken

  The state transferred the property to private owners Dennis and Susan Cloukey.

  Aftermath

  The sale ended the property's documented state ownership; later sources identify a purchase by Christine and Christopher Faris in 1993.

  Source

1. 1Peacock Tavernen.wikipedia.org