Old Port in Portland in Cumberland County, Maine — The American Northeast (New England)

United States Custom House

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, October 17, 2024

1. United States Custom House Marker

Inscription.
The United States Custom House is a skillful blend of the Renaissance Revival and Second Empire styles. It is true to its original design. The three-story, free-standing, I-shaped structure is constructed of New Hampshire granite.

Distinctive twin, square cupolas rise above the pedimented pavilions. Double Corinthian pilasters flank arched Venetian windows, each of which is capped with a shallow pediment.

The building is organized around the grand two-story customs hall, which is the building's public showplace and occupies the central portions of the first and second floors. Two counters are fashioned of several different types of marble that were quarried on an island in Lake Champlain.

Located near Portland's waterfront, the United States Custom House is a testament to the city's maritime history. The United States Custom House is the best remaining example of Supervising Architect of the Treasury (1865-1874) Alfred B. Mullett's work in the state of Maine. It was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.

Erected by U.S. General Services Administration.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1973.

Location. 43° 39.429′ N, 70°

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15.053′ W. Marker is in Portland, Maine, in Cumberland County. It is in Old Port. It is at the intersection of Commercial Street (U.S. 1A) and Custom House Street, on the left when traveling north on Commercial Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 103 Commercial St, Portland ME 04101, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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: Casco Bay's four thousand years of sustainable, stable productivity (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); A Dirty History of Casco Bay (about 300 feet away); Today, you see a healthier Casco Bay / Take a closer look (about 300 feet away); The history of DiMillo's and The Newport (about 500 feet away); Franklin Street Wharf (about 600 feet away); Mariner's Church (about 600 feet away); DiMillo's Floating Restaurant (about 700 feet away); The Berlin Wall (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Portland.

Also see . . . U.S. Custom House, Portland, Maine - U.S. General Services Administration. (Submitted on November 4, 2024, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, October 17, 2024

2. United States Custom House Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 29, 2024, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 216 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 29, 2024, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.