Charles and Phyllis Epps (both subsequently deceased) dramatically reshaped the property north of Topsham along Route 201 (i.e., the Augusta Road) despite all the unplanned downsizing which resulted from the utility and transportation acquisitions and developments. Both the current house and barn were physically moved and placed on new foundations back in 1966 and 1975 (the irony behind all this is that the house was purposely moved to maximize views of the fields, which were subsequently compromised by the new elevated federal Rt 201). A pond was dug to support various wildlife (and the occasional ducklings from Brooks Feed). A new utility “hangar”, essentially a large quonset hut, was built in the 80’s as a light industrial building (Charles’ original vision was to have a small grass runway for his plane- but unfortunately the unforeseen highway adjustments changed these plans... however the desire to have a hangar sustained).
Photo: 1966, Old farm house and barn
Photo: 1975; Moving barn
Charles was a retired Commander from the US Navy (a BNAS pilot) with over 24 years of naval aviation service in 1967. After the Navy, he worked with his brothers in a small FBO airport in Atlanta, worked as a manufacturer’s rep for a concrete equipment company, started Custom Concrete in Topsham with two other retired Navy Commanders, and resold New Holland farm and construction equipment. He has many long time colleagues from the US Navy, the QB’s and the local Rotary- and was awarded the local Joshua L. Chamberlain Award for Community Service. In the 1980’s, he was diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, and after over 20 years of monthly chemotherapy was essentially given a new pass- but with a few lingering side-effects. One potential impact to those treatments had been to his nervous system, and the onset of dementia. Alzheimer’s began to set in and was officially diagnosed in 2002. Charles pass away in 2014 at the age of 89.
Phyllis, the eldest daughter of Horace and Louise (Moore) Atwood of Brunswick, married Charles in 1961. She can be found almost any day of the week, any season of the year, working around the yard or house. Practically everything you see at their home at ?
Photo: 2006, Phyllis and Charles
Their children, Chip and Stacy, retain a passion for their childhood home, and are active participants in helping continue their parents legacy to improve and preserve their property.