Maine General Hospital's original surgical amphitheater, built in 1885, can be seen at the far right in this image. As surgery became safer in the 1870s, the number of operations performed at the hospital increased and the need for a surgical amphitheater grew pressing. Francis Fassett, the architect of the hospital's original building, drew up plans in 1883 and the amphitheater opened in 1885. Located behind the East Pavilion and connected to the main hospital via ramp, the amphitheater provided seats for more than 200 spectators. The dirt road running parallel to the hospital is Arsenal Street, lined with posts.

Maine General Hospital is the predecessor of Maine Medical Center.