Observatory Up Close

A close up of the exterior of Portland's venerable Observatory atop Munjoy Hill.

Observatory, Observed

A view of Captain Lemuel Moody's Observatory on Munjoy Hill. Greater Portland Landmarks will be doing holiday lantern tours of the structure later this month.

Signal to Signal

The Portland Observatory, a maritime signal tower built back in 1807, is just visible in this photo from the corner of Middle and Franklin Streets.

119 Pine

This beautiful old building on Pine Street is currently on the market (for a smooth $1.2 million). The building dates to 1876 and was designed by notable local architect Francis H. Fassett. 

Into the Black

Looking up at the Portland Observatory, set against a particularly dark sky.

The Gothic House

The John J. Brown House (also known as "The Gothic House") is one of many properties in Portland that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The house dates back to 1845, but has only been in it's current location on Spring Street since 1971. The structure was moved at that time to make way for the Holiday Inn complex. For more info, check out the Greater Portland Landmarks website. 

Tower of Portland

A view from the Portland Observatory last weekend. The tower is open again for public tours, a highly recommended stop for locals and tourists alike. 

Outside Looking Up

The top of the Portland Observatory back in September, a reminder of the pleasant weather that will return before long. 

Ode to the Custom House

These three photos taken earlier this evening showcase one of my favorite buildings, the United States Custom House in Portland's Old Port. It has been a landmark in our city since completion in 1872 and is still in use today as offices for some governmental agencies (although the U.S. Customs department moved out a few years ago). You can read a lot more about the building and its history here.

The Longfellow House

The historic Henry Wadsworth Longfellow House on Congress Street. The house and its garden (behind the building) is open to the public as a museum and is part of the Maine Historical Society. 

Colorful Observatory

A classic view of the Portland Observatory during a recent sunset. 

The Mansion

Portland's Victoria Mansion, also known as the Morse-Libby House, is extra photogenic this time of year due to all the holiday decorations. A challenge when it comes to getting quality photographs of the front of the building is the excessive amount of telephone and power lines that are directly in front of it on Danforth Street. That's why I am happy with this photo from yesterday evening, which captures the front of the building but also doesn't include any electrical wires. I have also not seen the building from this specific angle before, although I am sure it has been done.

And while you are here, I added two new winter-themed wallpapers to the wallpaper page for your enjoyment. All of the wallpaper photos (along with most of my best shots) are available for purchase in digital or print version at Corey Templeton Photography.

Places in Peril 2012

Greater Portland Landmarks recently announced their "Places in Peril List" for the year 2012. The list "Calls attention to character-defining, historically-significant properties that are in danger of being permanently lost of diminished."Here is a photo relating to each of the seven places on the list. 

Portland Company Complex, 58 Fore Street

House Island in Casco Bay. Photo taken from Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse in South Portland.

The Maine National Guard Armory in South Portland.

The Masonic Temple Grand Lodge at 415 Congress Street. I got to go on an open-house tour of the building a few years ago and it really is pretty amazing inside. 

Grand Trunk Office Building, 1 India Street.

Abyssinian Meeting House (left), 73 Newbury Street.

Eastern Cemetery on Congress Street, near the foot of Munjoy Hill.

You can read all about these seven places and their significance here at the Greater Portland Landmarks website. 

Portland Observed

An overly dramatic view of the Portland Observatory on a recent evening. 

Before & After: Union Station

Portland's Union Station is the subject of this "before & after" post. This beautiful train station, made even more attractive based on what currently stands in its place, was built in 1888 and demolished in 1964. A positive outcome of this was the creation of Greater Portland Landmarks, which:

"...Promotes preservation and revitalization of historic buildings, neighborhoods, and landscapes and encourages high-quality new architecture to enhance the livability and economic vitality of Portland and surrounding communities"

Before photo via the Library of Congress website. 

Victoria Mansion at Night

Portland’s Victoria Mansion lit up in red last night, in observance of World Aids Day. There was a reception and candlelight vigil earlier. The event was put on by Portland’s own Frannie Peabody Center.

Munjoy Hill Scenes

The Observatory, which I aim to take pictures from sometime this summer:

Cat nap:

This is a area, and no pets are allowed:

Off the Peninsula

Pictured below is the prestigious St. Joseph's Convent & Hospital at 605 Stevens Avenue (thanks, Xach!). I often see the fancy gold-colored dome when looking towards the northwest from the peninsula. 

Not to far from the above location is one of the city's old firehouses on Arbor Street. I'm not sure what is in the space now but the temporary dumpster on the side of the building indicates some sort of renovations.

Farmhouse

This is the Deering Farmhouse, located on the USM campus. The land that USM occupies was once a farm. For geographical reference, there is an old thyme map here at the Maine Memory site.

Park Street Townhouses

One of Portland's finest looking streets is Park Street (not to be confused at all with Park Ave). The Park Street townhouses, circa 1835, and the surrounding buildings from equally historical times create a unique urban space with an inviting atmosphere. Unit #3 at 112 Park Street is for rent, check out some interior pictures of it here. You may also recall this photo of the townhouses I took last spring.