The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-04-09
The Observatory.

On the first day of April, 1907, the lot on
which the Observatory now stands was pur-
chased by Lemuel Moody, of Mr.. Enoch
Jones, of Bath. The purchase embraced
about . half acre of land, for which $500 were
paid. A company was organized called the
Portland Monument Association, and was
composed of the following named individuals,
not one of whom is now living Hugh Nc
Lellan, Lemuel Weeks, Jr., Thomas Roach,
Smith Cobb, Jonathan Stuart. VIM. Cross,
Joseph MoultoH, John Mcclellan, Joel Prince,
Samuel Freeman, Jonathan Tucker, Moses
Brown, Stephen Foster, Thomas Merrill Jr.,
Parker Ilsley, Jr., John Hobart, John Wat
son, Apollus r. Gushing, Stephen Stephenson,
John Woodman, Walter Heating, VIM, Low
ell, Jacob Noyes, Robert Motley, James C.
Jewett, VIM. Merrill, Joseph Mcclellan, Jr.,
Rushworth Jordan, VIM. Baker, Lemuel
Moody, John Collins I'd, Robert Ilsley, Ilsley
& Robinson, Zachariah Martin, Charles Kit
fridge, and Joseph Steele. The stock was
was divided into 100 shares, of probably $50
each, of which Mr.. Lemuel Moody took
"a shares. The Monument was built under
the direction of Mr.. Moody. and was under
his care up to the time of his death, in 1916.
The building was erected Immediately after
the purchase of the land, in which timber of
the largest dimensions and the most durable
kind was used, and which was obtained within
one mile Of the spot. The posts are to-day,
apparently as sound as when the building was
H. oIn ,Ia -
the sea is 227 feet. 1t is 50 feet from the foun-
dation to the place where the telesc pc hangs,
and is nearly 100 feet to the top of the roof
1t Is 80 feet wide at the base. Some 122
tons Of stone are deposited in the lower
part to secure its safety in gale of wind
The ascent to the cupalo in which is the tele-
scope, Is by winding stairs, so arranged as TO
relieve the ordinary fatigue of ascending that
distance. Mr.. Enoch Moody, who is now the
principal owner Of the building, has been con-
stantly In attendance for % years. A charge
of IL IL cents is made for the privilege of
viewing the harbor and surrounding country,
and no person who has made the investment
has reason to regret it. There is no point in
Maine where the view of sea or land is more
delightful At the time this Monument was
erected, Portland was comparatively but
small village, with but few vessels over 200
tons burthen, its principal articles of traffic
being rum and molasses, which were brought
from the West Indies in exchange for lumber.
The cottage house now being removed to
give place to an engine house; was built the
same year as the Observatory. The lot on
which it set, was purchased by the city for
$1,000, 1t being about one-sixth of Mr., Lemuei
Moody's original purchase. Mr.. Enoch Moody
has erected neat cottage west of the observa-
tory In which he resides, devoting his time
entirely to those who wish to obtain a view
from the cupola, and In keeping watch for
vessels belonging in this port, or which may
enter the harbor.
Mr.. Moody receives a small amount from
the ship owners of the city, to signsl their
vessels when off the coast. BY the aid of his
powerful telescope he can identify a vessel
twenty-five miles from the shore. He has a
private signal for each vessel, so that every
owner is forewarned of the arrival of his ves-
sci several hours before she reaches the har-
Dor. The signal for foreign vessels is the ma
tional flag Of the vessel signaled. On the APP
pearance Of a man-ofwar, the national flag
with black ball under it, is seen upon the
observatory. The amount received from the
merchants for this service, and admittance fee
to the cupola, are his sources Of income
The telescope now used by Mr.. Moody, is
one ofDolland's make, in London, and was
purchased in 1907, by Capt Andrew Scott
1t was placed in the cupola OF the observatory
at that time where 1t has remained until the
present day, having aided thousands who are
now In their graves, in obtaining view of our
harbor and the surrounding country. In clear
weather. q vessel can be seen thirty miles from
shore, with delightful view of the White
Mountains and the intermediate country
There Is no place to which strangers who Wis
1t our city can be invited to obtain so good a
view Of our city, our harbor with its islands,
the ocean, and the surrounding hills and val
leys.
1t may do for Portland man to say, what
many Portland men think, that no more de.
hghtful view, either of land or sea, can be
found this side ofsu down, than is obtained
In the cupola of the Observatory, by the aid
Of the telescope, in clear weather.