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.
The Portland Observatory in 2024
Portland from the harbor in 1853, showing the observatory at far right
Portland Observatory in 1936
Congress Street (Portland, Maine)
Congress Street is the main street in Portland, Maine. Around 5.77 miles (9.29 km) long, it stretches from County Road, Portland's southwestern border with Westbrook, through a number of neighborhoods, before ending overlooking the Eastern Promenade on Munjoy Hill. In March 2009, the Portland City Council designated much of the inner portion of Congress Street a historic district. The western section of the street includes the city's Arts District.
Congress Street, looking northeast from Congress Square
Looking southwest down Congress Street from Munjoy Hill toward downtown
First Parish Church, located at 425 Congress Street.
The Portland Museum of Art as viewed from Congress Square Park.
