Bramhall Hill
Encyclopedia
Bramhall Hill is a hill in the west and southwest of the downtown peninsula
of Portland, Maine
. At its height, the hill stands 171 feet (52.1 m) feet above sea level, with a sharp drop below. The area includes the West End
neighborhood, the Western Promenade
and part of the Old Port
downtown district.
Bramhall Hill commands an extensive view west and north-west of the bay, the mainland and the White Mountains
some 80 miles away. The finest residence district is on Bramhall Hill. The area was originally the property of George Bramhall.
George Bramhall moved to Portland in 1680 and bought 400 acres (161.9 ha) of land from George Cleeves. Bramhall was killed during the French and Indian Wars
in the late 17th century. He was a tanner by profession and set up a tannery in the area.
In 1870, a 20 inch main brought water from Sebago Lake
to a 12 million USgals (45,424.9 m³) reservoir on Bramhall Hill. This supplied most of the city's drinking water.
The first capital conviction in the United States Courts after the adoption of the Constitution occurred on Bramhall Hill in 1790. Thomas Bird was convicted of piracy and murder. After a prompt refusal for pardon by President George Washington
, Bird was executed.
Peninsula
A peninsula is a piece of land that is bordered by water on three sides but connected to mainland. In many Germanic and Celtic languages and also in Baltic, Slavic and Hungarian, peninsulas are called "half-islands"....
of Portland, Maine
Portland, Maine
Portland is the largest city in Maine and is the county seat of Cumberland County. The 2010 city population was 66,194, growing 3 percent since the census of 2000...
. At its height, the hill stands 171 feet (52.1 m) feet above sea level, with a sharp drop below. The area includes the West End
West End (Portland, Maine)
The West End is a downtown neighborhood in Portland, Maine. It is located on the western side of Portland's peninsula primarily on Bramhall Hill and is noted for its architecture and history. The neighborhood is home to a large number of historic homes and parks and, in 2010, it was called "one of...
neighborhood, the Western Promenade
Western Promenade
The Western Promenade is an historic promenade, public park and recreation area in Portland, Maine's West End neighborhood. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and includes a number of historic properties, including the Adam P. Leighton House. Maine Medical Center is also...
and part of the Old Port
Old Port
The Old Port is a district of Portland, Maine, known for its cobblestone streets, 19th century brick buildings and fishing piers. The district is filled with boutiques, restaurants and bars...
downtown district.
Bramhall Hill commands an extensive view west and north-west of the bay, the mainland and the White Mountains
White Mountains (New Hampshire)
The White Mountains are a mountain range covering about a quarter of the state of New Hampshire and a small portion of western Maine in the United States. Part of the Appalachian Mountains, they are considered the most rugged mountains in New England...
some 80 miles away. The finest residence district is on Bramhall Hill. The area was originally the property of George Bramhall.
George Bramhall moved to Portland in 1680 and bought 400 acres (161.9 ha) of land from George Cleeves. Bramhall was killed during the French and Indian Wars
French and Indian Wars
The French and Indian Wars is a name used in the United States for a series of conflicts lasting 74 years in North America that represented colonial events related to the European dynastic wars...
in the late 17th century. He was a tanner by profession and set up a tannery in the area.
In 1870, a 20 inch main brought water from Sebago Lake
Sebago Lake
Sebago Lake is the deepest and second largest lake in the U.S. state of Maine. The lake is deep at its deepest point, with a mean depth of , covers about in surface area, has a length of and a shoreline length of . The surface is around above sea level, so the deep bottom is below the present...
to a 12 million USgals (45,424.9 m³) reservoir on Bramhall Hill. This supplied most of the city's drinking water.
The first capital conviction in the United States Courts after the adoption of the Constitution occurred on Bramhall Hill in 1790. Thomas Bird was convicted of piracy and murder. After a prompt refusal for pardon by President George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
, Bird was executed.
External links
- The glacial gravels of Maine and their associated deposits By George Hapgood Stone Page 232, 1899
- Plan of land on Bramhall Hill by Peleg Wadsworth MaineMemory.net
- Reservoir on Bramhall's Hill, Portland MaineMemory.net