Portland Observatory - Portland, ME
Posted by: 
NorStar
N 43° 39.926 W 070° 14.893
19T E 399364 N 4835471
The Portland Observatory is the only known remaining maritime signal tower in the United States and provides beautiful views of Portland and Casco Bay from its top.
Waymark Code: WM78PG
Location: Maine, United States
Date Posted: 09/20/2009
Views: 16
On top of Munjoy Hill that overlooks Casco Bay is a tall, red building that is the Portland Observatory. This building, now a museum owned by the city of Portland and managed by Portland Landmarks, was once a signal tower that alerted merchants at the port of what ships were approaching.
The observatory is at 138 Congress Street in the eastern part of Portland, near the intersection with North Street. Parking is along the road (take note of signs, hydrants, etc.).
The Portland Observatory is an octagonal structure that stands 86 feet high from the top of the hill. It was designed by Captain Lemuel Moody, and it was built in 1807 at the cost of $ 5,000 (about $ 92,000 in today's dollars). Moody sold subscriptions to his service to merchants. For those merchants who subscribed, he looked out on to sea and noted ships that were approaching the port. Once he identified a ship, he would post the identification flags on the observatory for merchants to see down in the port. The service lasted through 1923, later than most of these services in other cities. The building is now the property of the city of Portland and tours are run by Portland Landmarks.
The building has undergone many renovations over the years. In 1939, the Works Progress Administration restored the tower. In 1994, the tower had major work on it. In the structure, light colored timbers placed in 1994 are visible against dark-stained timbers, worked on in 1939 and before.
The Portland Observatory was recorded in the Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) in 1936 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973, and made a National Historic Landmark in 2006. It was also listed as an American Civil Engineering Landmark in 2006.
The Observatory is open from May 23 to October 12, 10 am - 5 pm. There is a guided tour through the tower - allow for about 45 minutes for each tour.
Street address:
138 Congress Street
Portland, ME United States
04101
County / Borough / Parish: Cumberland
Year listed: 1973
Historic (Areas of) Significance: Architecture/Engineering, Event
Periods of significance: 1800-1824
Historic function: Industry/Processing/Extraction, Recreation And Culture, Transportation
Current function: Recreation And Culture, Transportation
Privately owned?: no
Season start / Season finish: From: 05/23/2009 To: 10/12/2009
Hours of operation: From: 10:00 AM To: 5:00 PM
Primary Web Site: [Web Link]
Secondary Website 1: [Web Link]
Secondary Website 2: Not listed
National Historic Landmark Link: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
Please give the date and brief account of your visit. Include any additional observations or information that you may have, particularly about the current condition of the site. Additional photos are highly encouraged, but not mandatory.