Architect John Calvin Stevens designed at least 5 Cape Arundel Cottages that are still standing. Though he wasn’t a Maine native, his family moved from Boston to Portland when he was just two years old. After finishing high school, Stevens entered the Portland architectural office of Francis Fassett. He worked his way up from office boy to become a partner in the firm. He briefly ran Fassett’s Boston branch office where he met and was influenced by Architect William Ralph Emerson. John Calvin Stevens began his own architectural business in Portland in 1884. In 1888 he partnered with Architect Albert Winslow Cobb. Together they wrote the book, Examples of American Domestic Architecture. Cobb wrote the narrative and Stevens drew the illustrations. One of the examples they featured was the J.W. Deering Cottage designed by John Calvin Stevens and built at the corner of South Main Street and Grand View Avenue in Kennebunkport in 1888.

John Deering, born in Saco, Maine, went to sea as a young man. He later became a merchant engaged in the Southern pine lumber business. Capt. Deering gave testimony for Dr. P.P. Quimby in 1862. The doctor apparently professed to be a “spirit medium and mesmerizer”. Deering claimed that in August of that year he began having trouble with his right foot and knee. The best Physicians in York County could not provide him any relief. But, Deering stated, Dr. P.P. Quimby was able to determine the source of his problem and “without calling on the spirits of the departed, without mesmerism and without the use of medicines” Deering’s muscles were restored. One might wonder if the mesmerizing physician also practiced early chiropractic care. Starting in 1883 J.W. Deering served two terms as mayor of Portland. Under Grover Cleveland, Deering was appointed Customs Collector of the Port of Portland. Along with Captain William Gould, John Deering commissioned Shipbuilder David Clark to build The four-masted schooner Savannah in Kennebunkport in 1901.