A Piece of Portland Maine’s History Sits Quietly in Congress Square Park

There's a small brick building in Portland's Congress Square Plaza that contains something very special from Portland's history, and you may not even be aware of it.

Congress Square Park

Congress Square Park was created in the 1980s to create an open space in Portland's Arts District. Congress Square hosts seasonal special events, including live music, dances, and movies in the park. The group “Friends of Congress Square Park” has been at the forefront of organizing events and financing improvements in the square since 2013.

A Look at the Past in the Park

In the square, you'll notice a small brick shelter with windows and a clock inside. This is the current home of the clock that used to be on the tall tower of Union Railroad Station, just down the hill from the park. It was in operation from 1888 to 1961, when it was torn down with the goal of urban renewal.

Only the Clock Survives

The video above shows what Portland's Union Station looked like before it was demolished and turned into a shopping plaza called, appropriately enough, Union Station Plaza.

All of it may be gone, but one thing remains. The clock in the tower was removed before the structure came crashing down, and today it sits in Congress Square Park, protected from the elements and still functioning to this day. The time is always correct too, without needing to keep time by connecting to the internet.

This short video from YouTube shows a close-up look at the dedication plaque and the clock itself.

READ MORE: 10 Former Maine Railroad Stations Transformed Into Unique Businesses and Homes

So next time you find yourself in the Congress Square area, take a look at this nearly 130-year-old clock that still keeps on ticking.