The clock from Portland's fabled Union Station (1881-1961) now resides in this enclosure at the small park at Congress Square. Made by the Howard Clock Company of Boston, MA, it was presented to the city by Maine Central Railroad after the station was demolished in 1961, amid great public outcry. Greater Portland Landmarks, the historic preservation movement, was born soon after this building's demise. I stopped by yesterday, while awaiting the start of the city's Veterans Day parade. By the way, besides this beautiful station, here's another institution missing from the our city: high school marching bands! Veterans' Day parades aren't really parades without some peppy marches of John Phillip Sousa. Yesterday, one band! Portland High? Deering High? You got me. I couldn't tell for sure. Back in the day around here, marching bands were BIG. The high schools had them; the middle schools had them; and who could forget the Andrews Sabres Drum and Bugle Corp, that traveled and won awards throughout New England. Want more people lining Congress Street from Longfellow to City Hall for these these parades? Marching bands would be a good start.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Timepiece
The clock from Portland's fabled Union Station (1881-1961) now resides in this enclosure at the small park at Congress Square. Made by the Howard Clock Company of Boston, MA, it was presented to the city by Maine Central Railroad after the station was demolished in 1961, amid great public outcry. Greater Portland Landmarks, the historic preservation movement, was born soon after this building's demise. I stopped by yesterday, while awaiting the start of the city's Veterans Day parade. By the way, besides this beautiful station, here's another institution missing from the our city: high school marching bands! Veterans' Day parades aren't really parades without some peppy marches of John Phillip Sousa. Yesterday, one band! Portland High? Deering High? You got me. I couldn't tell for sure. Back in the day around here, marching bands were BIG. The high schools had them; the middle schools had them; and who could forget the Andrews Sabres Drum and Bugle Corp, that traveled and won awards throughout New England. Want more people lining Congress Street from Longfellow to City Hall for these these parades? Marching bands would be a good start.
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I like the puzzle of reflection/transparency of the clock. And I appreciate the reflection/transparency of your comments. Interesting multi-layer posting.
ReplyDeleteIt is simply a clock with a brick foundation and a metal roof so that the moisture will not get inside and destroy the inner mechanism. This is also the clock that Lee Nelson looks at every morning so that his pocket watch is always correct.
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