Built in 1892 to a design by noted local architect George M. Coombs, the Renaissance Revival brick building was part of a major development on the city's main commercial street by the Callahan brothers, owners of a local gentleman's furnishings store.

[2] The First Callahan Building is located on the east side of Lisbon Street in Lewiston's principal downtown commercial district.

It is located adjacent to the Second Callahan Block (at number 282), and across from the Lower Lisbon Street Historic District, which encompasses Lewiston's earliest commercial development.

The building originally house retail establishments on the ground floor, and offices and residences above; the upper levels have been rehabilitated for exclusive residential use.

The Callahan brothers were apparently financially successful, since they were able to build the adjacent block in 1911; it was designed by Coombs' son-in-law and successor, Eugene Gibbs.