In 1869 the Portland Water Company built the Bramhall Reservoir, between Vaughan, Brackett, and Chadwick Streets, to hold water pumped from Sebago Lake. In turn, the water was pumped into City distribution pipes from the Reservoir.

This photo was taken from inside the Bramhall Reservoir and appears to show a break in the wall. Looking through the wall break, two men are visible viewing the damage from what appears to be the back of the main gate to the Reservoir. Though this photo has a pencil mark of "Bramhall 1888" on its mat, it would appear that this photo is actually from the reservoir break that occurred in June, 1882. According to the Portland Daily Press, in an article dated June 10, 1882, the reservoir was filled to within 8 inches of its maximum height due to heavy rains that spring and the leak began by the main gate of the reservoir at the corner of Vaughan and Brackett Streets. About half the water in the reservoir leaked through the crack in the wall causing damage to several homes down hill from the reservoir.