The Observatory
Created by Lyman Moore Middle School students
Item: 166 | more info
Title: Portland Observatory, ca. 1880
Contributor: Maine Historical Society
Many people mistake the Portland Observatory for a lighthouse but it isn't. The Observatory is a maritime signal tower. It was built in 1807 to let various people in the city know what ships were coming into port. Lemuel Moody, the founder and builder of the Portland Observatory, was a sea captain most of his life. Because of his experience he understood the need for better communication between ships and the merchants on shore.
At times, the Observatory is still used for its original purpose, flags are raised to announce the arrival of cruise ships. But mostly, the Portland Observatory is used as a tourist attraction.