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 building in Scarborough, Maine. It used to be a power station for trolleys, which are like electric buses that run on tracks. Today, this old building is known as the Scarborough Historical Museum. It was built in 1911 and is one of the few buildings left from the time when trolleys were common in Maine. This historic building was added to the National Register of Historic Places on March 22, 1991.
Contents
What is the Scarborough Historical Museum?
The former Portland Railroad Company Substation is located in southwestern Scarborough. This area is also known as Dunstan Corner. You can find the building on the north side of US 1. It sits behind a parking lot, between the Scarborough Fire Station and Alger Hall.
Building Design and Features
The building has two main parts. The front section is one story tall. The back section is also one story but is taller overall. Both parts are made of brick. They have roofs that are gently sloped.
The front of the building has three sections. There are windows on each side of a larger middle section. This middle part used to have big double doors for equipment. Now, it has a regular entrance for people. This entrance has side windows and a wide window above it. There were also other doors on the sides of the front part. Some of these are now closed off.
Inside the Museum
The inside of the building looks different now. It no longer has any of the original equipment. This equipment was used when it was an electrical power substation. Today, the building holds interesting exhibits. These exhibits are put together by the Scarborough Historical Society.
History of the Trolley Substation
This building was constructed in 1911. Its purpose was to provide power for the Saco Division of the Portland Railroad Company. This company operated trolleys in southern Maine. Trolleys were a popular way to travel back then.
Importance of the Building
The substation is very important because it is well-preserved. Many other buildings from Maine's trolley era have been torn down. Others have been changed a lot for new uses. This building helps us remember the time when Maine had a large network of light rail.
See also
