Hue and cry erupts over ‘gold’ house

Just for the record, the color is technically Mardi Gras Gold.

But the drivers who pass the Rockport intersection of Route 1 and Route 90 call the color of William Anderson’s house a few more choice words. Love it or hate it, you can’t ignore “the yellow house.”

The color is sort of a cross between French’s mustard, a school bus and the yellow line on the highway outside the Anderson house. Anderson loves the color and the minifuror it has caused. Anderson, 55, an artist and Colby graduate, is a transplant from Concord, Mass., and terms himself a “Thoreauian photographer” who concentrates on the appreciation of nature.

He also is a salesman.

He wanted to sell the 1890 house he purchased and lovingly renovated. He wanted to make sure the renovated house got some attention. It worked. Drivers who stopped at the red light yelled at the painters when they started painting the white house. The comments were not supportive.

Anderson bought the former barbershop and gutted the structure, which had been uninhabited for years. It was known as the Walker Barber Shop for generations, and hundreds of town residents got their haircuts there. The house always had a special place in the hearts of Rockport residents.

In the labor of renovation love, Anderson “tried to reclaim the spirit of the house. We ripped out the rugs and tore down the walls and found a beautiful building. I tried to clean it up and bring it back.” He tore off the old kitchen and built a photography studio.

Then he painted the house for his own reasons and has little respect for his detractors. “I am not doing this for anyone else. I have my own interests. They have their own problems. They have to look in the mirror and make their own decisions. There is more to life than just making money. Rockport just doesn’t want to change with the times.”

After all, a Route 1 business a mile away called Miss Plum’s is painted a startling plum color and no one notices it anymore.

With tongue firmly in cheek, Anderson said he calls the color “State House Gold” and thinks it will place the sleepy crossroads on the map of the midcoast area.

In most towns, a yellow house would a cause a comment or two at the post office. But in Camden and Rockport, where everything is supposed to be just so, Anderson’s yellow house has caused a minor commotion. Everyone has an opinion on the house, judging by the chat rooms of the Camden Village Soup Web site.

“The only thought that came to mind when I passed the house this morning was … why?” said Karen Grove.

“Yellow is a fresh, invigorating color that was designed to catch everyone’s attention. I believe he has succeeded in all of his intentions. Don’t you?” said Augusta Farnum.

“To each his own. It certainly makes a good landmark when giving directions,” said David Goldthwaite.

“I drive by it twice a day and enjoy it,” added Harvey Ardman.

“Over the past 15 years, people, mostly from away, have been daring and have tarted up their wonderful Victorians with beautiful color. I like the yellow. In fact, I like all the hues I have seen so far. Go for it, Bill. Don’t pay them no nevermind,” said Jim Mays.

Anderson had a warning for his neighbors and Route 1 drivers.

He is thinking about a red tile roof.

Send complaints and compliments to Emmet Meara at emmetmeara@msn.com.