Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United States Maine Portland The Portland Observatory
AO Edited

The Portland Observatory

The only remaining historic maritime signal station in the United States.

Portland, Maine

Added By
Gavin
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
The Portland Observatory   Gavin / Atlas Obscura User
  Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
Portland Fire Department   Julio Torres / Atlas Obscura User
The Portland Observatory   Gavin / Atlas Obscura User
The Portland Observatory   Gavin / Atlas Obscura User
Telescope on display at the tower.   Gavin / Atlas Obscura User
The Portland Observatory   Gavin / Atlas Obscura User
  missingfilm / Atlas Obscura User
  missingfilm / Atlas Obscura User
  missingfilm / Atlas Obscura User
On a foggy morn   mocchiatto / Atlas Obscura User
  missingfilm / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

What could be mistaken as a lighthouse, the Portland Observatory was built in 1807 by Captain Lemuel Moody to serve as a communication station for Portland Harbor. The Portland Observatory was one of the earliest marine signal stations in the United States and the only one still standing today.

It was a commercial venture designed to give a competitive edge to ship owners who paid a subscription fee of $5.00 a year to alert them when their sailing ships were arriving in port. The tapered, octagonal tower is 86 feet tall with a diameter of 32 feet at the base and 15 feet at the observation deck.

With his powerful telescope at the top of the tower, Moody could identify incoming vessels for up to 30 miles away. Moody informed subscribing merchants by hoisting signal flags identifying their vessels. This signal tower greatly increased the efficiency of Portland Harbor and the observatory remained a working marine signal tower run by the Moody family until 1923. The invention of the two-way radio made the signal tower obsolete.

The tower was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972 and became a National Historic Landmark in 2006.

Related Tags

Architecture Ships Observatories

Know Before You Go

The outside of the tower can be viewed at any time. For tours of the tower, check the Greater Portland Landmarks website for details. 

Community Contributors

Added By

Gavin

Edited By

Collector of Experiences, missingfilm, mocchiatto, Julio Torres

  • Collector of Experiences
  • missingfilm
  • mocchiatto
  • Julio Torres

Published

February 3, 2021

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://www.asce.org/project/portland-observatory/
The Portland Observatory
138 Congress St
Portland, Maine, 04101
United States
43.665368, -70.248238
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Abyssinian Meeting House

Portland, Maine

miles away

Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum

Portland, Maine

miles away

'Pinecone'

Portland, Maine

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Portland

Portland

Maine

Places 7
Stories 2

Nearby Places

Abyssinian Meeting House

Portland, Maine

miles away

Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum

Portland, Maine

miles away

'Pinecone'

Portland, Maine

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Portland

Portland

Maine

Places 7
Stories 2

Related Places

  • Hastings, England

    Marine Court

    This seaside property, an example of Art Deco Streamline Moderne style, was designed to embody the curves of a great ship.

  • Patterson Park Observatory

    Baltimore, Maryland

    Patterson Park Observatory

    This Asian-inspired tower in a lush urban park provides spectacular panoramic views of Baltimore.

  • The East Tower at Royal Observatory Edinburgh

    Edinburgh, Scotland

    Royal Observatory Edinburgh

    Even though some of the buildings date back to the Victorian era, this research institute is still involved in cutting-edge astronomy research.

  • Atlantic City, New Jersey

    Absecon Lighthouse

    The third-tallest lighthouse in the United States stands as a reminder of Atlantic City's early days.

  • Annecy, France

    Palais de l’Île

    A fortified palace in the shape of a ship on the Thiou river.

  • The Jerlov Observatory.

    Vittsjö, Sweden

    The Jerlov Observatory

    This former peat factory was transformed into an observatory before being abandoned once again.

  • Pine Valley Chapel built without nails in 1868.

    Pine Valley, Utah

    Pine Valley Chapel

    This church was constructed by a shipbuilder and designed like an upside-down boat.

  • Anclote Key, Florida

    Anclote Key Lighthouse

    Though it may look like it’s missing its outer shell, this skeletal cast-iron tower was built to withstand wind and waves.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.