Portland

the chief city of Maine. It is situated on a peninsula of Casco Bay. The city commands a beautiful view of water and land. The harbor is studded with many islets which form popular places of summer residence. Many wealthy people of Boston and New York have summer homes here. Portland is a strongly fortified naval station. The first permanent settlement on this part of the coast was made in 1632. The town was destroyed by the Indians in 1676, and again in 1690. In 1716 there were but fifteen male inhabitants. The first town meeting was held in 1719. The city maintains an efficient system of schools and other departments of public service. There is a public library of about 60,000 volumes. The Maine Historical Library of 14,000 volumes is cared for at Portland. An extensive system of parks adds to the natural beauty of the city. The ocean drives are considered among the finest in the world.

Portland derives its importance chiefly from commerce and manufactures. During the winter season, when the St. Lawrence River is closed to navigation, it is the seaport of Canada. Several lines of railroads center here. Extensive docks, elevators, and warehouses afford facilities for loading and unloading. Several lines of steamers ply to European ports. It has also a heavy coast trade with the various cities of the Atlantic. Counting large and small, there are said to be over seven hundred manufacturing establishments, with an annual output of goods valued at from $10,000,000 to $15,000,000 a year. Building iron, foundry work, locomotives, engines, and boilers form an important line of manufacture. There are also boot and shoe factories, a match factory, petroleum refineries, chemical works, carriage and sleigh shops, and extensive meat packing establishments. The city is the center of a large lumber trade and of lumber products such as sash and doors. Fishing is an important industry.

Portland takes no little pride in its roll of noted men: Longfellow and N. P. Willis, the poets; Neal Dow, the temperance orator; Senator William Pitt Fessenden and Thomas B. Reed, a speaker of the House, were born at Portland. The house in which Longfellow was born still stands near the seashore. It is now a tenement. In 1900 the population was returned at 50,145. Population, 1910, about 60,000.