A historic home in one of Maine\u2019s seafaring towns known as the \u201cCity of Ships\u201d hit the housing market for just $1 \u2014 but the buyer will have to move it, or it\u2019ll face demolition. <\/p>\n
General Dynamics Bath Iron Works, a shipbuilder, announced Wednesday<\/a> that it is selling two residential buildings for $1 each, including the circa-1900 Deering House at 606 Washington St. in Bath, Maine.<\/p>\n However, the buyer must relocate the buildings to a legally permitted site by Nov. 20, 2027.<\/p>\n The Deering House at 606 Washington St in Bath, Maine, is for sale for $1 \u2014 but the buyer must move it. WMTW<\/p>\n The Deering House was originally the home of Gardiner G. Deering, a prominent shipbuilder who helped cement Bath\u2019s reputation as a major shipbuilding center in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.<\/p>\n The house is currently being used as office space, with tenants under lease through November 2027, WMTW reported<\/a>.<\/p>\n Bath Iron Works says the buildings are being sold \u201cas is, where is,\u201d with no warranties of any kind.<\/p>\n The buyer will be responsible for \u201call relocation costs, including permits, approvals, licensed structural movers, transportation, site prep, foundations, utilities, and related services.\u201d<\/p>\n The Deering House will be demolished to make room for a new Bath Iron Works facility if no buyers step in to save the historic residence. <\/p>\n The Deering House could be demolished to make way for a new Bath Iron Works facility unless someone buys it. WMTW<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s important for General Dynamics and Bath Iron Works to continue to be able to grow as a company and employ thousands of Mainers. We\u2019re looking for ways to improve our facilities,\u201d Jolene Nickerson, director of facilities capital at Bath Iron Works, said, WMTW reported.<\/p>\n \u201cThe hope is that there is somebody that has a viable lot to move this to, and that it\u2019s financially feasible for somebody who is interested in the house to relocate it and preserve the historic nature, which the community is very excited about,\u201d Nickerson added.<\/strong><\/p>\n Bath was once known as the \u201cCity of Ships,\u201d and ranked third in the US in wooden-hulled vessel production in 1854, behind New York City and Boston, according to the city\u2019s government website<\/a>.<\/p>\n The house was once home to Gardiner G. Deering, a prominent Bath shipbuilder who helped shape the city\u2019s legacy. WMTW<\/p>\n Bath, once known as the \u201cCity of Ships,\u201d ranked third in the US for wooden ship production in 1854 \u2014 behind NYC and Boston. Beppe Castro \u2013 stock.adobe.com<\/p>\n Deering built 99 vessels during his career and operated a shipyard along the Kennebec River that helped make Bath a leading center of wooden shipbuilding before the Civil War ended the boom and \u201cchanged. the face of the industry.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack Martin, archivist and special collections librarian at the Patten Free Library, said saving the house would give its new owner a unique piece of Bath history.<\/p>\n \u201cYou would have a one-of-a-kind home and a great story,\u201d Martin said, according to WMTW.<\/p>\n \u201cNot only do you have the history of the house that comes with it, then you also have the story of being the person who moved and saved a historic home \u2014 and that\u2019s fascinating.\u201d<\/p>\n The house is currently used as office space, with tenants under lease through November 2027. WMTW<\/p>\n Bath Iron Works said it has already received several inquiries about the buildings.<\/p>\n The idea of moving a historic Maine house is not unprecedented.<\/p>\n