Bath house on sale for $1 lands on endangered places list

Bath Iron Works Offers $1 Sale of Historic Swanton‑Deering House, Demanding Relocation
Bath, Maine – August 2026

Bath Iron Works (BIW) is putting a 19th‑century landmark on the market for a symbolic dollar. The two‑story Swanton‑Deering House, located at 606 Washington Street, will be sold “as‑is” to the first buyer willing to relocate the building and shoulder all associated costs. BIW says it expects the house to be moved by November 2027, a deadline tied to its Washington Street corridor project, which is aimed at expanding parking, improving traffic flow, and adding an office structure for Navy ship‑building supervisors.

A House with a Rich Maritime Past

Built in 1839 by shipbuilder Samuel Swanton II—great‑grandson of Bath’s first commercial shipbuilder—the house has long been a local touchstone. After passing through the hands of the Duncan and Davenport families, it was owned by the Deering family, who operated several shipyards, from the late 1800s until 1982, when BIW purchased the property. The Swanton‑Deering House is one of only a handful of structures remaining in Bath that can trace a direct line to the city’s 19th‑century maritime boom.

BIW’s Washington Street Vision

BIW’s plan for Washington Street is a multi‑phase effort that began in May 2026 with the demolition of the Wesley Methodist Church, a historic but structurally unsound building. The project, which receives partial funding from the Navy, aims to create a new office building for Navy personnel on the site of the house and to expand parking for the shipyard’s workforce. Under the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) Section 106, BIW is required to evaluate how its project might impact historic properties in the area, a process that is now underway.

Maine Preservation, the state nonprofit that compiles lists of endangered historic places, included the Swanton‑Deering House in its 2026 catalog. The organization argues that BIW and the Navy must launch a public review before a definitive decision is made, allowing local residents and preservation advocates to weigh in on the building’s future.

The $1 Deal and What It Means

In a press release last month, BIW announced that the Swanton‑Deering House could be sold for $1, but that the buyer would be responsible for:

• Developing a relocation plan and securing the necessary permits.
• Financing the disassembly, transport, and reassembly of the structure.
• Bearing all costs and risks associated with the move, as the building is being sold “as‑is” with no warranties.

“We are actively working with several interested parties,” said BIW spokesperson David Hench. “If, at the end of this process, we have not identified a reasonable plan to relocate the property, we will work with the community to preserve the historic elements of the house.” Hench also noted that the company has received “dozens” of inquiries about the property.

BIW’s decision to sell rather than demolish the house is a rare concession in a project that has already involved the demolition of historic structures. The company emphasized that the $1 price point is symbolic; the real expense lies in the relocation.

Preservationist Perspective

Brad Miller, director of programs and services for Maine Preservation, expressed caution. “Relocation is not the best‑case scenario for protecting the property,” he said. “However, if necessary, I hope it is relocated within the same neighborhood and used as housing.” Miller added that the Section 106 review would give the public and local government a chance to shape the outcome.

The Swanton‑Deering House is not the only historic structure that BIW is looking to remove from Washington Street. Two additional buildings—one at 10 Bath Street and another at 32 South Street—are also listed for sale on the same terms.

What Comes Next?

BIW has opened a channel for interested buyers to contact the company at [email protected] The company says it will follow the NHPA guidelines that governed earlier phases of the Washington Street project. If no viable relocation plan emerges, BIW pledges to collaborate with community stakeholders to preserve as many historic elements as possible.

For Bath residents, the $1 sale represents a chance to rescue a piece of the city’s heritage—provided someone is ready to shoulder the financial burden of moving it. Whether the house will ultimately find a new home in the same neighborhood or be rebuilt elsewhere remains to be seen.