National Register of Historic Places
Portland Observatory
Portland Observatory is a historic place in Portland, Cumberland County, Maine, listed on the United States National Register of Historic Places on April 24, 1973, and designated a National Historic Landmark. Its National Register reference number is 73000122.
Location 01
Portland Observatory
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About this place
What is Portland Observatory?
The Portland Observatory is a historic maritime signal tower at 138 Congress Street in the Munjoy Hill section of Portland, Maine. Built in 1807, it is the only known surviving tower of its type in the United States. Using both a telescope and signal flags, two-way communication between ship and shore was possible several hours before an incoming vessel reached the docks. The tower was designated a National Historic Landmark and a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark in 2006; it is now managed by Greater Portland Landmarks, a local historic preservation nonprofit. It is open to the public as a museum.
Source: Wikipedia, text available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
The record
Listing details
- Name
- Portland Observatory
- City
- Portland
- County
- Cumberland County
- State
- Maine
- Listed on the National Register
- April 24, 1973
- NRIS reference number
- 73000122
- Resource type
- building
- National Historic Landmark
- Yes
- Coordinates
- 43.66535, -70.24824
When was Portland Observatory listed on the National Register?
Portland Observatory was added to the National Register of Historic Places on April 24, 1973.
Where is Portland Observatory located?
Portland Observatory is located in Portland, Cumberland County, Maine at approximately 43.66535, -70.24824. See the map above.
Is Portland Observatory a National Historic Landmark?
Yes. Portland Observatory is designated a National Historic Landmark, the highest federal recognition for a historic place.