The Portland Observatory is the only remaining historic maritime signal tower in the United States. The Observatory also features rotating seasonal soups and specials. In 1936 the Portland Observatory was included in the Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS), and in 1939 the tower was restored as a Works Progress Administration (WPA) project under President Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal programs of the Great Depression. The tower ceased its signalizing operations in 1923, and has been owned by the City of Portland since 1937.
From the time it opened in 1807, the Observatory was a tourist attraction that drew local residents and travelers alike. The complex included a banquet and dance hall as well as a bowling alley. Moody built his house and other buildings near the tower. The Observatory was built on Munjoy Hill at the eastern end of the Portland peninsula as it offered the best view of the Atlantic Ocean. He coined the phrase “signalizing” to describe the system. For a fee, he alerted subscribing merchants by hoisting signal flags identifying their vessels. With his powerful telescope, Moody, sea captain turned entrepreneur, identified incoming vessels as far away as 30 miles. In 1807, ships entering the harbor could not be seen from the docks of Portland until they rounded the point at Spring Point Ledge.
Lovers of history and in particular maritime history and esoterica won't want to miss it, and neither will visitors to the city looking for a stunning perspective on the town and its relationship to the sea.“Captain Lemuel Moody (1768-1846) ordered construction of this octagonal, 86-foot high tower to serve as a communication station for Portland’s bustling harbor. So, then, what, or who, do you think it’s best for? These days, it's America’s last remaining maritime signal tower, and a symbol of the city itself. The octagonal building was used by former sea captain Lemuel Moody to monitor the harbor and let ship owners that their vessels had arrived. It's a significant piece of Portland history. The 1807 building far more than lives up to the hype once you set foot inside, you begin to realize it's far more than just a great view. Likewise, it's hard to believe that history buffs don't show up and find themselves mesmerized by the view. The majority of visitors come to enjoy the view of the city and harbor, and are pleasantly surprised to find themselves interested in the Observatory's history. Our tour guide was well-versed and answered questions thoroughly. Guests can choose either a self-guided tour with a laminated information card, or join one of the regular tours with one of the Observatory's volunteers. The Observatory impresses on two levels: it's an uplifting view from above that takes in Portland's and Casco Bay's beauty and it's also an esoteric look at the city's maritime history. Note that it is open only from late May through mid October. It’s also got the best view, bar none, of Casco Bay and of the entire city. A historic maritime signal tower in the Munjoy Hill neighborhood, it’s the only surviving tower of its kind in the country.
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