Hill, J. W. (1812-1879). PORTLAND, ME. (View of Portland in 1855). Lithograph, 1855. Lithograph by Charles Parsons after a painting by Hill. Endicott & Co., NY, printers; Smith Brothers & Co., NY, publishers. (Stokes, American Historical Prints, G-15, pp. 192-3, plate 90B). 25 3/4" x 39 7/16" (655 x 1003 mm). A brilliant impression, but with a repaired puncture and other in-painting in the sky area. "The tall structure on the hill at the right is the Observatory, erected in 1807 on Munjoy's Hill; the tower and cupola furthest to the right belong to the Second Parish Church (Congregational) on Middle Street, erected in 1788. The cupola and spire to the left of it probably belong respectively, to the Baptist Church, erected in 1811, the bell tower of which was added in 1831, and the Third Parish Church, begun in 1807. Still further to the left are the tower and cupola (with scales of justice) of the Cumberland County Courthouse, erected in 1816, wings added in 1831, taken down in 1858. The first Maine State Legislature met in this building May 31, 1820, the governor and senate moving shortly afterward to the adjoining newly erected State House; in 1832 the Legislature took up residence at Augusta, and the court house reverted to its original use. The white tower and cupola still further to the left belong to the First Parish Church, built in 1825-26. Cape Elizabeth appears in the foreground, and at the extreme left is seen the Portland Bridge. The water seen in the foreground is the Fore River, near its entrance into Casco Bay.
