PORTLAND HISTORY

Four years in the making, City By the Sea II documents the city's transformation over the past 100 years by presenting an amazing array of vintage photographs culled from public and private collections all over the state and comparing each one with a contemporary image of the same vista, beautifully illustrating for modern viewers our rich cultural heritage, that which has become lost and that which remains. Hardcover. 200 pgs.

Published in 2010, this book focuses on the architectural and social of Portland's off-peninsula area, including Deering and Stroudwater, from the 17 century through the mid 20th century. The authors conducted original research on the neighborhoods and buildings and uncovered numerous primary source documents and photographs that had never before been systematically studied or made readily accessible to the public. Indexed with a bibliography. Black & white photos throughout. Hardcover. 215 pgs.

When Peleg Wadsworth built his family home on Congress Street in 1786, he could see the Fore River from his front door. The city grew up around the structure as the Wadsworth-Longfellow family flourished and made history within its walls. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote his first childhood poem in the house before going on to pen great classics including "Paul Revere's Ride" and Evangeline. Young Henry watched his father, Stephen, help craft the Maine Constitution and experienced revolutionary ideals of his home city. Step inside the historic Longfellow house and explore the city that shaped a beloved American poet. Black & white photos, maps and other images throughout. Paperback. 142 pgs.

July 4, 1866, and the population of Portland, Maine was just beginning to recover after the Civil War. The weather had been very warm and dry and everyone was looking forward to celebrating. Late that afternoon, a young boy casually lit a firecracker in front of a woodworker's shop and, not thinking, tossed the explosive into the shop's yard covered with dry shavings. "The Night the Sky Turned Red" tells the story of the ensuing conflagration through the eyes and voices of those who lived through it. Foreword by Earle G. Shettleworth, Jr. Paperback. 80 pgs.

First published in 1972 with a second edition published in 1982, "Portland" has been the go-to guide for those interested in the history of the city. Complete with a street guide and map & a glossary of architectural terms, the chapters cover the history of Portland from settlement to statehood; statehood to disaster; and from the ashes - rebuilding the city. Architecture and lost buildings are also covered. Black & white photos throughout. Foreword to the second edition written by Earle G. Shettleworth, Jr. Foreword to the first edition written by Charlton S. Smith. Paperback. 229 pgs.

The city of Portland, Maine, has an extraordinary history as a prominent seaport dating back to early colonial times. Few realize how heavily intertwined this history is with fire and firefighting. The motto of the city, Resurgam, is Latin for "I will rise again." The city symbol has long included the phoenix, a mythological bird that is said to arise from the ashes of its predecessor. With over 20 major conflagrations and four different fires that destroyed the majority of the city, both the symbol and the motto directly reference Portland's perseverance despite catastrophic fire. As the Portland Fire Department celebrates the 250th anniversary of the inception of organized fire protection on March 29, 1768, Portland Firefighting takes the reader on a photographic tour encompassing not only the department's history but also the development of firefighting through the centuries. Black & white photographs throughout. Paperback. 127 pgs.

Portland is often associated with the mythological phoenix, the animal that rises out of the ashes of its apparent death. Life here has often been a struggle: to overcome the disastrous fires of 1775 and 1866; to rebuild after the change in Canadian policy in 1920 that devastated the waterfront; and to outlast the Depression and the other economic crises that have affected the area. The people of Portland have always faced these problems head on, survived, and rebuilt the city stronger then it was before. This delightful pictorial history is a moving tribute to their spirit and drive. "Portland" features more than 200 images that together document life in Maine’s largest city over the last 130 years. We see immigrants arrive from all corners of the world and watch as they build lives and businesses in their new home; we witness the waterfront and Congress Street rise, fall, and rise again; and we observe how the political scene has changed and been changed by everyday people. Perhaps the most interesting photographs are those of everyday life: of people working, playing sports, relaxing, falling in love, and living life to its fullest.

On the Fourth of July in 1866, joy turned to tragedy in Portland, Maine. A boy threw a firecracker onto a pile of wood shavings and it erupted in a blaze as residents prepared to celebrate the 110th anniversary of American independence in the momentous time following the Civil War. The violent conflagration killed two people and destroyed all structures on nearly thirty streets. Authors Michael Daicy and Don Whitney, both firefighters, chronicle the day's catastrophic events, as well as the bravery of those who fought the ferocious fire, dispelling the myth that ill-trained firefighting contributed to the devastation. Paperback 144 pages

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Portland's development from 1890 to 1950 is characterized by a 1911 statement that "as a bustling commercial center, an attractive place of residence, and a beautiful summer resort, Portland looms big." The city's leadership in the publishing of early twentieth-century American postcards accounts for the diversity and quality of the period images. Featuring many never-before-published views from the extensive collection of the Maine Historic Perservation Commission. A treasured visual reminder of a time when the city prospered as a major transatlantic port and played host to hundreds of thousands of tourists annually.

For over 130 years, the Rines family made significant contributions to Portland in retail, broadcasting, charitable ventures, and law, among other endeavors. The Rines Brothers store, Maine's first department store, redefined the retail district of Portland when it opened on Congress Street in 1883. Every luxurious Portland hotel at the beginning of the 20th centurey was owned by these industrious brothers. A string of family-owned radio stations and two television stations formed the Maine Broadcasting System, one of the most powerful broadcasting operations in America at the time. Through 200 vintage images, "The Rines Family Legacy" offers insight into one of Maine's most interesting and exceptional families. Paperback, 128 pages.

Portland, Maine is a small town with a very rich past. During its nearly 400 years of recorded history, the city has seen war, massacres, pestilence, a devastating bombardment, economic hard times, riots, urban renewal, and several destructive fires. Every corner, every building, and every street has borne witness to some part of the Portland story. Rarely are there outward signs to denote some long forgotten event or human drama. This book makes the connection between today's urban landscape and the history behind it. Black & white photography throughout. Insert map included to help you on your way! Paperback. 211 pgs.