Portland Railroad Company Substation facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Portland Railroad Company Substation
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Portland Railroad Company Substation
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | 649 US 1, Scarborough, Maine |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1911 |
| NRHP reference No. | 91000320 |
| Added to NRHP | March 22, 1991 |
The Portland Railroad Company Substation is a special old building in Scarborough, Maine. It used to be a power station for electric trolleys, which were like electric buses on tracks. Today, it's known as the Scarborough Historical Museum. This building was built in 1911. It's important because it's one of the few buildings left from the time when trolleys were common in Maine. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on March 22, 1991, which means it's a historic landmark.
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A Historic Building in Scarborough
The old Portland Railroad Company Substation is located in southwestern Scarborough. You can find it on the north side of US 1, behind a parking lot. This lot is between the Scarborough Fire Station and Alger Hall, which is a local meeting place.
The building has two main parts. There's a front section and a taller back section. Both parts are made of brick. They also have roofs that are not very steep.
What the Building Looks Like
The front of the building has three main sections. There are windows on the sides, and a larger area in the middle. This middle part used to be a big entrance for equipment. Now, it has a regular door for people. This door has windows on the sides and a large window above it.
There were also other doors for people on the sides of the front part. Some of these are now closed. The larger back section also had doors.
Inside the Museum
When you go inside, you won't find any of the old electrical equipment. Instead, the building now holds the museum exhibits of the Scarborough Historical Society. It's a great place to learn about the history of Scarborough!
The Trolley Era in Maine
This building was built in 1911. Its job was to provide power for the Saco Division of the Portland Railway Company. This company operated trolleys all over southern Maine.
Back then, Maine had a huge network of light rail lines. These were like train tracks for trolleys. Most of the buildings from that time have either been torn down or changed a lot. This substation is one of the best-preserved buildings from Maine's trolley era. It helps us remember a time when electric trolleys were a major way to travel.
See also
