Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1884-09-02
ror the Orfori Democrat
NOTES or A NEW ENGLAND
TRIP.
NO. III.
PORTLAND. Me-,
Angus, 8. 80


August 8, 81.
Mr.. Editor;
Possibly some Of your readers might
be surprised % their train rolled into the
"Fores, City" to hear the conductor
shout I" Maehigonns;" but ths, is the
name by which the Indians once knew
this peninsala
Portland vas settled BY George Clssves
and his partner. Richard Tucker and
their families in 1928; Il Was hr,
called Cssco BY them and Afterwards
Falmouth. Il s the smslles, town in
the State in area. being situated on .
psninsuls. ju,,ing Ou, into the water, OF
C.sco Boy; this peninsula i' only three
miles long and ,hree-qasr,er brosd-or
about ore-half mile at the naroves,
point, and contains 1906 acres. The
town also iueludes sixteen small Islands
In the bay. I, is the larses, In Populs-
ton, however. Of any town in Maine.
having nov sboa, 1000 Inhabitants :
and With the near by villsges-pneii.
eslly one corporation. /. no douo, they
will be within . fe~ yesrs-over $4,000
or one thirteenth Of the people OF the
State
The peninsula s covered -i,h . net.
vork Of streets. lanes and courts. sggre-
eating nearly fhy miles. Congress 81.
extends the entire length Of the city from
east to vss,. The city is bull, on high
ground, and is considered one Of the
most heslthfal In the Uaion.
Ga the eastern hill (Munjoy) u the
Portland Observatory, the top Of which
is $40 feet above the SEE. commanding .
grand ,ie~ Of the city. ocean. Cssco Bay
and the Islands. The White Mountains
so miles away. also other di',an, peaks
and ranges Of hills. can BE- plainly seen.
There s . powerful telescope here, espa-
ble Of bringing object. for many miles
around into seemingly elose proximity.
We think !, 10 Ls,robe. the English irs'-
eler, Who has BEEN quoted ~ saying that
",he panorama on which the eye feas's
n the observatory on Munjoy Hill u
squslled by nothing IN America except
q, the citadel of Quebec" Along the
eastern slOps Of the hill Is the Eastern
Promenade. MunjOy s i6i feet. and
Bsmhalrs Hill. In the western part OF
the city. 10 lis fee, above the Gee. Along
the brow Of the latter n the Western
Promenade. and from here, particularly
st sunset. one can obtain hns views OF
farm, forest. village and mountains to the
westward. Ga this hill Is the Maine
General Hospital. and near here u the
city reservoir. With . capacity Of twelve
million gallons Of water. which Is brought
seventeen miles from Lake sebsgo. There
are also 60 smaller reservoirs and 226
hydrsn,s In the city.
The streets Of Portland are broad and
6n., and adorned by shade trees 30 nu-
merou. a. to give !, the name OF the
"rorss, City" I, 10 lighted BY over 400
gas lamps besides the electric lights.
Portland has come manufactures, ma
ehins shops. shoe shops. sugar rehnene''
match factory. oil works. etc. The man
uf.e,ures amour, to some elo. 100000.
vhile the entire trade Of Portland s said
to be .bou, $40. 200, 900 annually.
Portland has many slegsn, private res
idencss, and several fine church and school
edifces. There are ,hiry-fvs churches
Ia the ei,y-smong them . hns cs'holie
cathedral The First National hank
building. the s,oer BrOthsrs' Block and
the ]. r. Brown Block arc new and ele-
CANT business buildings.
The City Baildins is Of olive eolored
frees,one, having . frontage Of $50 feet
on Congress ST.. and extends 92l feet on
Myrtle St. The corner towers are ~ n
high and the dome 100 feet. The view
from the latter veil vpsys one for climb
ius the tower. There are eighty rooms
in the Guiding. including the city and
county Offices and court rooms, the pub
lie library Of some $4,000 volumes inelu-
ding ths, Of the Institute. the Maine
Historical socisty's rooms. etc. The hall
lis feet long. so vide and 80 high
and viii zee, nearly 5000 people at the
Blaine reception al the seats In the body
of the hall were removed. and some 5000
were present to greet the distinguished
gentleman. In front Of City Hall, near
Myrtle ST.. until recently. there stood an
old elm, known - the Lafayette Tree
On . platform under this tree lafayette
received the citizens Of Portland on his
last visit to America. A large and sle-
CANT chair made from this tree can b
.ssn q, one Of the stores on Middle 81.
A fps tree on Cumberland ST., In frcot of
the High School Building. h named the
Lincoln Tree. In eomnsmorstion OF the
Great Emancipator. Lincoln Park. near
the center Of the city. 10 also named In his
honor It hs pretty plos Of nearly "a
Acres Of ground.
The Custom House h fine building.
thoroughly finished inside and out built
Of light eolorsd granite from Concord. N.
liz. Iu cost vas e4ss.ooo. The Post
Ofics u Of while Vermont marble, and
cost $500. 900. II stands on the site Of