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WATCH FOR YOUR SHIP TO COME IN

It looks like a lighthouse, but don’t be fooled; there’s no Fresnel lens at the top of the Portland Observatory. There is, however, an unobstructed view of the harbor that once enabled observers to spot the merchandise-laden sailing vessels coming into port.

Built in 1807, the 86-foot-high octagonal wooden tower on Portland’s Munjoy Hill, is the last standing historic maritime signal station in the country. Captain Lemuel Moody built the tower as a business venture during the heyday of sail. Before the tower, ships could not be seen entering the harbor until they had rounded Spring Point Ledge and were almost home. Moody realized he could provide a profitable service to ship owners if they knew when their vessels would arrive.

For a $5.00 annual fee, merchants signed up for the service. Using a powerful telescope, from his vantage point 222 feet above sea level, Moody could spot and identify sailing ships while they were still 30 miles out. When he recognized one, he would hoist a flag that identified the vessel for its owner. Flags could be seen from the ocean and the harbor wharfs. During the War of 1812, the observatory was also used as a watch tower.