These Historic Artifacts in Portland, Maine Neighborhoods Are at Risk of Disappearing

Hidden in plain sight along the side of Portland's neighborhood streets are reminders of simpler days gone by when transportation required food and not fuel. The historic horse hitching posts and carriage mounts are scattered throughout the Western Promenade and residential areas of Portland's peninsula. Although these hints of the past are still visible if you look hard enough, they're at risk of disappearing altogether.

Snow removal in the city threatens the existence of these posts and mounts. It's hard to see the posts and granite mounts when they're buried beneath several feet of snow. Other utility work can also damage or remove the posts completely with little recognition of their historical significance.

Great Portland Landmarks placed these equestrian artifacts on the 2015 Places of Peril list. This list is updated yearly as a way to increase awareness of the historic places and artifacts at risk of demolition, destruction, or other forms of demise.

How can you help protect these cool artifacts of Portland's history? Awareness is everything! Greater Portland Landmarks has a self-guided walking tour route around the West End that includes these hitching posts and carriage mounts. You can see more of these artifacts at Skyline Farm in Yarmouth. You can also join the Greater Portland Landmarks mailing list to learn about opportunities to contribute to their conservation efforts.