Historic Maine house sells for $1 but must be moved or face demolition

In Bath, Maine, a historic home known as the Deering House is being offered for sale at the remarkably low price of $1. This offer comes with a significant condition: the buyer must relocate the house to a legally permitted site by November 20, 2027. The Deering House, built around 1900, was once the residence of Gardiner G. Deering, a notable shipbuilder who played a crucial role in establishing Bath as a prominent shipbuilding hub in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Currently, the house serves as office space, with tenants under lease until November 2027. If no buyer steps forward, the house will be demolished to make way for a new facility for Bath Iron Works, a subsidiary of General Dynamics. The company has stated that the buildings are being sold 'as is, where is,' meaning the buyer will bear all costs associated with the relocation, including permits, approvals, and transportation. Bath Iron Works emphasizes the importance of its growth and the need to improve facilities to continue employing thousands of Mainers. The hope is that someone will find a viable lot to move the Deering House to, preserving its historical significance. The community has expressed excitement about the possibility of saving this piece of local history. Jack Martin, an archivist at the Patten Free Library, noted that acquiring the house would provide its new owner with a unique piece of Bath's history, along with the fascinating story of relocating and preserving a historic home. Bath, once known as the 'City of Ships,' was a leading center for wooden shipbuilding, ranking third in the U.S. for wooden-hulled vessel production in 1854. The Deering House represents a significant part of this legacy, as Gardiner G. Deering built 99 vessels during his career and operated a shipyard along the Kennebec River. The idea of moving historic homes is not new; a recent example involved a large house being relocated in Augusta, which cost over $500,000. Bath Iron Works has already received several inquiries about the Deering House, indicating interest in preserving this historic structure.