1941 Map of Portland

About this map

The Presumpscot River and Stroudwater River systems anchor this coastal Maine landscape, driving the industrial development of Westbrook and Gorham. By the early 1940s, the area’s economic identity was defined by the intersection of water power and rail transit, with Saccarappa Falls and Cumberland Mills highlighting the persistent importance of river-based manufacturing. The urban core of Portland extends through Woodfords and East Deering, while the southern reaches near Old Orchard and Scarboro reveal a transition from marshy lowlands like Rigby Bog to prominent coastal landmarks such as Prouts Neck. Small rural schools including Babb Sch and Sawyer Sch are scattered across the interior, alongside community landmarks like the Heath Meetinghouse and North Street Ch. This survey illustrates a coastal region where dense rail networks, including the Boston and Maine RR, were tightly integrated with established river towns and developing shorefronts.