Portland Observatory
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| Portland Observatory | |
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| (U.S. National Historic Landmark) | |
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| Location: | 138 Congress St Portland, Maine |
| Designated as NHL: | February 17, 2006 |
| Added to NRHP: | April 24, 1973 |
| NRHP Reference#: | 73000122 |
The Portland Observatory was built in 1807 in Portland, Maine. It is the last remaining maritime signal tower in the United States. Using both a telescope and lantern, two-way communication between ship and shore was possible several hours before an incoming shipped reached the docks.
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[edit] Geography
Portland has a deep harbor sheltered by numerous islands. Ships entering the harbor are not visible from the wharfs, which created problems for merchants trying to prepare for the arrival of cargoes. This problem was solved in 1807 when Captain Lemuel Moody organized the construction of an observatory on Portland's Munjoy Hill, visible from both the open ocean and the wharfs. During the War of 1812 the observatory was used as a watch tower.
[edit] About the observatory
The 86-foot (26 m) tall observatory (7 stories) is octagonal and lighthouse-shaped, with a fieldstone base, and stands 222 feet (68 m) above sea level. The observatory's 'lantern' (cupola) included a P & J Dolland Achromatic Refracting Telescope, which could identify ships 30 miles (48 km) to sea. That telescope disappeared from the Observatory in 1939.
The observatory has been renovated numerous times over the years, including a Works Progress Administration renovation in 1939. It was most recently renovated from 1998-2000 to repair damage from moisture and powderpost beetles. The latest renovation won a 2001 National Preservation Honor Award from the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The center column was not an original feature, and was added in the 1939 renovation.
The observatory was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. In 2006 the observatory was made a National Historic Landmark.[1]
[edit] Past Operation
The Portland Observatory is the only existing maritime signal station in the United States. Tower operations were paid for by shipping merchants who would purchase the right to have their flag stored in the building and displayed when a ship of theirs was sighted. Operations continued with a phone eventually being installed and used up until 1923 when the reliability of engine powered vessels and communication by radio obsoleted the task.
Between the time of its closure and the 1990s, the building was often unlocked and popular among area children. Some older area residents have fond remarks of playing in the building. The latest restoration left as much original wood as possible in place, distinguished by its stain where replacement was left an original color, and various carvings can be seen in the original wood.
[edit] Current Operation
Greater Portland Landmarks, a non-profit, maintains the building. Guided tours with discussion about the history of the building and the neighborhood are provided by volunteer docents from Memorial Day to Columbus Day for a small fee.
[edit] References
- Moulton, John K. (2000). Captain Moody and His Observatory. Mount Joy Publishing. 99-091647.
[edit] External links
- Portland Observatory (1807) in the Structurae database
[edit] See also
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