The original of this picture was an old daguerreotype taken by Portland's veteran photographer, Joseph Buchtel. It was taken from a window of the Canton House, later the American Exchange, located at the corner of Front and Washington Streets. This view includes practically all there was of Portland in 1854. In the foreground are the buildings along the west side of Front Street between Washington and Alder. In the background the building with the square cupola is the Taylor Street Methodist Church.