Downtown in Portland in Cumberland County, Maine — The American Northeast (New England)
What's Going On Here?
The walkways that extend from this point are part of the original configuration of Lincoln Park as laid out in 1866. The park was once significantly larger than it is today, extending to what is now the far side of Franklin Arterial's grassy median. When Franklin Street was widened in the 1970's to create the ARterial, the eastern end of the park was lost. This reduction led to the "paths to nowhere" you see here. The paths end abruptly at the cast iron fence, which was moved inwards when the roadway was widened.
When Lincoln Park's walkways and fountains were restored in 2017, the decision was made to preserve the original 1866 layout of the walkways despite their curious termination. In this way, we honor the park's original design and tell the story of its evolution.
Erected by Portland Parks, Recreation & Facilities.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Parks & Recreational Areas • Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1866.
Location. 43° 39.607′ N, 70° 15.258′ W. Marker is in Portland, Maine, in Cumberland County. It is in Downtown.
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the American Northeast and in New England. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: County of Cumberland (within shouting distance of this marker); Friends (Quaker) Meeting House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); In 1745 (about 300 feet away); Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (about 700 feet away); Press Herald Building (about 700 feet away); Armenian Genocide Memorial (about 700 feet away); Olde Saint Paul's Parish (about 700 feet away); Portland Maine World War I Marker (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Portland.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 13, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 18, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 304 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 18, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
