When he needed to relay certain messages to the dock, he would fly sets of specifically defined from two flagpoles. To monitor and identify ships so that he could alert the wharf of their arrival, Moody used a large telescope. The skeleton of the Observatory includes eight 64-foot white pine timbers. Within the base of the observatory, 122 tons of granite and heavy crossbeams secure and stabilize the tower. The base of the structure measures 32 feet across, and it stands 86 feet tall. Known as the “Brown Tower,” the Observatory was a familiar sight in the city.Īlthough the eight-sided octagonal design for the tower may seem stylish to modern eyes, the very shape of the Observatory was essential for withstanding the harsh winds and weather blowing off the Atlantic. Moody witnessed the growth of both the Portland marina as well as those of other cities, and he knew that to keep pace, Portland needed a tower so that he could view approaching vessels and alert the waterfront.Īfter forming the Portland Monument Ground to finance the tower and choosing the top of Munjoy Hill as its location, Moody was able to build the Portland Observatory by 1807. At the time (and although Portland was a Province of Massachusetts until 1820), Portland was one of the fastest growing port cities in the young United States. This early experience at sea shaped the rest of Moody’s life, and after the war, Moody left the shore to make a career as a sea captain. Although he was only eight when the war broke out in 1775, Moody began working two years later as a water boy with Captain Joseph Pride and Captain John Reed. The history of the Portland Observatory, as well as the early history of Maine following the Revolutionary War, can be traced back to Captain Lemuel Moody. The Portland Observatory was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972, and in 2006, it was made a National Historical Landmark. From Memorial Day to Columbus Day, Greater Portland Landmarks uses knowledgable docents to give guided tours throughout the building, providing history and maritime buffs with a comprehensive and exciting story. Visitors can often find educational programs and seasonal guided tours, while in the museum, the many interpretive exhibits highlight the tower’s history and the preservation processes. Nowadays, the Greater Portland Landmarks operates the historic Observatory as well as its accompanying museum. In fact, this Observatory is the only known remaining maritime signal tower in the country. Because of its shape as well as its two-way communication system, the Portland Observatory carries a maritime history now lost throughout the United States. Throughout its long history, the observatory would use both telescopes and signal flags to communicate to ships regarding the upcoming docks. Featuring an octagon shape, the observatory stands over 86 feet tall and it is 222 feet above sea level. $250 + All Media License.Built in 1807, the Portland Observatory is the last surviving maritime signal tower in the United States. Select the distribution of the image and then add All Media if you wish to buy a license for all types of media. Select the license type and distribution to calculate the price below.ĭigital File. Immediately, or request an order through the Image Services Coordinator. You may purchase a digital file through this website to be downloaded High-Resolution (approximately 40MB) digital image files (jpgs) are available for Website Cross Reference Searches Standardized Subject Headings Show Details Other Informationįor more information about this item, contact: When a ship was sighted on the horizon approaching Portland Harbor, the ship owner's signal flag would be hoisted above the Observatory tower to alert the owner and workers who loaded and unloaded ships of the arrival. The Observatory was built in 1807 as an assistance to local shipowners. 1907ģ389px x 4200px - 11.3"w x 14.0"h 300dpi | Need a larger size? *Credit line must read: Collections of Maine Historical Society Image InfoĪ painting depicts the Portland Observatory as seen from the south showing the Methodist Episcopal Church in the background. 1907 Item 48270 - Portland Observatory, ca.
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