The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-04-05
Muuioy Hill---Its past and present--its
Advantages and its Wants.

Muujoy HilI---Its past and present---ie
Advantages and its Wants.
Those who were accustomed to stroll over
Munjoy Hill some fifteen Or twenty years ago,
when there were but few dwellings, and those
not Of the most approved architecture or ele-
giant flnish-when the green sward was mo-
nopolized by the cattle. and the subsoil by the
swine-when in the streets were found, male
and female, old and young, who had little re-
gard for tidiness of dress or chasteness OF Ian
guage, can see, better than can be described,
the change that has taken place since that
time. There is no part OF the city that has
gained more rapidly in population, or in which
there has been greater increase in yalua-
ton.
What is now Atlantic and st. Lawrence
streets, and part Of Munjoy and Wateryille
streets, comprising about Is acres, was pun
chased in 1915 by Moses Gould, Thos. Warren.
aad William Hoyt, and the streets laid out by
them. The first lot was sold to Mr.. John S.
Wilson for $125, which lot cannot be pur-
chased to-day for $1,000. The second house was
built by Mr.. Hoyt on the corner of st. Law
renee and Monument streets, on lot then
valued at 800. The present value of the lot
is not less than 1920. Within the limits of
what is now known as Munjoy Hill, real es-
tate has increased, in the aggregate, since the
purchase mentioned to more than twenty
times its value at that time. Among those
who have contributed In various ways to the
prosperity Of this section of the city should
be mentioned S. b. Beckett, Esq, one of the
City Assessors. He purchased several tracts
of land on different streets, one OF which
bears his name, and offered the most liberal
Inducements for men of moderate means to
purchase lots and erect dwellings thereon.
The Observatory stands now, where it has
stood longer than many of our active business
men can remember. 1t is one OF the old land
marks that we hope may stand many years TO
come. For near sixty years it has stood firm
against the terrific gales which frequently
visit our seaboard, as well as the march of i'm
proyement that has swept away its old asso-
eiates. 1t is about 100 feet high and affords
the finest view Of our harbor with its surroun-
dings and dottings of any point in the city.
1t is place Of general resort by residents and
strangers.
In Munjoy Hill district is the Portland Com
pany's Works, the most extensive establish
ment of the kind in the state, which has done
more to build up that section of the city than
any other agency. Young men who CON-
menced there few years ago have been able
to erect neat and comnodious houses and are
now perfectly independent A hundred
houses could be rented to-day by persons who
are employed in that establishment, on the
railroad, or at the shipyard of Messrs. W.
A. Curtis. The time is not far distant when
every vacant lot will be occupied by neat
dwelling house or some other building. Many
of the residences on the hill are not only
neatly but elegantly finished and OF modern
architecture.
Among the contemplated improvements
there is none that promises to do so much for
that section of the city as the laying out and
completing East Commercial street. There is
large extent of territory ON the Eastern slope
of Munjoy with a shore which can be made
available for ship building, lumber wharyes,
or for manufacturing of any description Lots
have already been purchased with the expec-
tation that the street will be put through.
This street commences at the end of Tukey's
Bridge, from the termination of West Com
mercial street, running parallel with the
Grand Trunk railroad TO near Fish Point
where it is to form junction, for the present,
with Fore street, with the intention eventually
of extending it through TO Commercial street,
forming nearly a continuous street around
the city. Messrs. w. & A. Curtis have pur-
chased 400 feet on the shore on which their
shipyard il built. Messrs. Winslow & Lewis
have purchased a lot southwest of the Messrs
Curtis on which they intend to establish
lumber yard by wharfing out SO as to get suffi-
cient depth of water for vessels to lay at the
wharf. Messrs. Dyer & Clark have purchased
a lot extending TO near Fish Point. These
lots will probably be occupied the present sea-
son. Congress street is to be extended from
East Promenade to appoint near Messrs. Cur
It's shipyard, where it will branch OFF each
way SO as to make gentle descent to East
Commercial street.
Among the wants of Munjoy Hill is horse
railroad communication with the center and
western section Of the city. We understand
II is the intention to lay a track from the
Preble House, through Congress street to the
Observatory the present season, which will in
crease the value of real estate by rendering it
8 more desirable location for a residence.
A school house is also very much needed.
The Grammar school is now at the extreme
western part Of the district, in an unfavorable
location aud crowded with scholars, notwith-
standing some twenty or thirty attend private
schools. There are now in the district about
l400 scholars with prospective increase in
population that will require extensive accom-
dations for all the different grades. The wants
OF the district, in this particular, are SO APP
parent, that but very short time will be per-
mitted to pass away before the necessary
steps will be taken to meet them. There is
nothing lost by adopting liberal policy in
the erection of school houses and placing in
them teachers who are adapted by nature and
attainments 70 their work.