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1914 Map of Portland

Name: 1914 Topographic Map of Portland
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1914
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1914

About this map

The Presumpscot River and Fore River serve as the industrial and logistical backbones of this Maine coastal region just before World War I. This 1914 survey illustrates the transition from the dense urban core of Portland to the milling and farming districts of Westbrook and Gorham. The landscape is etched with the paths of the Maine Central RR and several electric lines, including the Portland and Gorham Electric RR, which connected workers and residents across the river valleys.

Social and civic life is anchored by numerous neighborhood institutions, from the State Reform School and the City Farm to local landmarks like Buggy Meetinghouse. In the northern stretches, the river's power is evident at Gambo Falls and Saccarappa Falls, while the southern reaches near Scarboro and Old Orchard show the coastal geography of Saco Bay, including prominent features like Prouts Neck and the Scottow Bog.