Bramhall Hill is a hill in the west and southwest of the downtown

peninsula A peninsula (; ) is a landform that extends from a mainland and is surrounded by water on most, but not all of its borders. A peninsula is also sometimes defined as a piece of land bordered by water on three of its sides. Peninsulas exist on all ...

of Portland, Maine. At its summit, the hill stands feet above sea level, with a sharp drop below. The area includes the West End neighborhood, the

Western Promenade The Western Promenade is a historic promenade, an public park and recreation area in the West End neighborhood of Portland, Maine. Developed between 1836 and the early 20th century, it is one Portland's oldest preserved spaces, with landscapin ...

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, around away. The finest residence district is on Bramhall Hill. The area was originally the property of George Bramhall,1911 Encyclopedia
/ref> who built the Bramhall mansion. George Bramhall moved to Portland in 1680 and bought a plot of 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 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 (February 22, 1732, 1799) was an American military officer, statesman, and Founding Father who served as the first president of the United States from 1789 to 1797. Appointed by the Continental Congress as commander of th ...

, Bird was executed.

References

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 {{Portland, Maine Geography of Portland, Maine West End (Portland, Maine)