History of Portland

    It is difficult to find a starting point in Portland's history, but since the focus is the Portland waterfront and it's changing uses, it only makes sense that we start with the first recorded business transaction.  In 1524, explorer Giovanni Da Verrazano attempted to trade with the Abnakis.  He was apparently looking for more in return than the empty basket they lowered down over the cliff, because the dubbed Casco Bay "the land of bad people" (Barry 1982 6).  We can all be grateful that the name didn't stand the test of time!

    The following is a quick run through the highlights of Portland's history that pertains to the development of the waterfront.  It is important to remember that when explorers first came to the Portland area the peninsula was still covered in forest--at this point, Southern Maine was still considered frontier land.

1628-  Walter Banal becomes the first official local businessman, opening up a post on Richmond Island, trading Rum and other commodities.  However, his business endeavor was short lived--he was killed by the Indians in 1631 after he was caught cheating.  In 1632 John Winter took over the post and trade was expanded to include items used by the fishing fleet--clapboards, pipe staves, fish oil, wine, fruit and beaver pelts were available for trade.
1640- Richmond Island began to suffer competition from the "Neck" (Portland Peninsula) which was settled by George Cleeve and Richard Tucker.  The neck had several geographic advantages over the island.  First of all, it was a better location.  It's harbor was well protected by the surrounding lands, making it a safer place for ships during storms.  Secondly, the waters of Portland Harbor were also deeper.  These two factors helped make the Neck the center for business in the area.
1658- Puritans of Massachusetts take political control over the area.  They name Portland and the surrounding areas known today as Falmouth, South Portland, Cape Elizabeth and Westbrook "Falmouth."
1675- By this time 40 families had settled in Falmouth, but during this year they were all driven off or killed by the Indians.
1678- Settlers returned with the construction of Fort Loyall.  Twelve years later the population peaked between 600-700 people.
1690- Backed by the French, the Abnakis burned the Neck to the ground.  The Neck remained deserted for the next decade, save a few Englishmen who chose to visit "Deserted Casco."
1717- Falmouth was incorporated.
1727- This is an important date, for it marks the year Falmouth became an economically important town, and put it self on the map--the masting trade was established.  Maine was home to great stands of white pine, and also had the rivers and harbors needed to transport the lumber.  These white pine were turned into masts for ships--a good supply of white pines was essential in maintaining operation of England's Royal Navy Fleet.  With such an important commodity at stake, Falmouth was ensured protection by England.  The trees were the property of the Crown, and as a result the masting trade did little to stimulate the local economy.  Instead, the money went across the Atlantic, fattening the pockets of Londoners.
1750- By this time Clay Cove (on Fore St.) had become the center for shipbuilding and wharves.
1775- Population reaches 2,000.
Political friction between locals and the British result in conflict--although no lives were lost, 400 buildings (the whole center of town) were burned to the ground.  Falmouth must once again pick itself up from the ashes.  Little attempt was made to rebuild until after the end of the war.
1786- "Falmouth" changes it's name from its colonial name in favor of Portland and declared the phoenix its symbol of revival.
1793- With England and France at war, Portland quickly grabbed part of the Atlantic trade.  The 2,000 foot Union Wharf was constructed, which is still in use today.
1802- Portland becomes the 6th largest port in the nation.
1820- Maine obtains statehood, breaking away from Massachusetts and Portland becomes the new capital.  It was around this time period that local businesses started to pick up and thrive.  Furniture production, iron production, hardware stores, canneries, shipbuilding--these are just a few of the industries that began to take shape along the waterfront.  (Barry 1982).
                                                  

 
What is particularly important to point out is the fact that the roads did not exist on the Neck in the 1600s--nearly all transportation took place via water.  The first streets established on the Neck grew back from the wharves (Barry 1982).  From that point the road infrastructure began to spread and network together across the peninsula.  The map of Falmouth Neck in 1690 shows the early stages of road transportation with the construction of Fore Street (parallel and running along the coast), Broad Street (running inland from Fore Street) and Queen Street (parallel to Fore Street).  Transportation by water remained vital still for years to come.

Image from Greater Portland Landmarks "Portland." 1973. p. 18.