Portland Observatory - Portland, ME
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NorStar
N 43° 39.926 W 070° 14.893
19T E 399364 N 4835471
The Portland Observatory, now a museum, is an easy landmark in the Portland skyline and once was a maritime signaling tower.
Waymark Code: WM78QP
Location: Maine, United States
Date Posted: 09/20/2009
Views: 18
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). There is a wooden model on display in the observatory that shows the inner structure of the observatory, clearly showing the octagonal shape.
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 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.
Visit Instructions:
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