USA > Maine > Cumberland County > Portland > Portland city guide > Part 3
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Purpoodock Country Club, on Spurwink Avenue, Cape Elizabeth, has a 9-hole golf course; 2643 yds., 34 par; open May 1-November 1. Club- house connected; caddies available; professional instruction; green fee, weekdays $1, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, $1.50. Meals served in clubhouse.
Riverside Municipal Golf Course, 1158 Riverside Street (41/2 miles from the city; Riverton trolley from Monument Square to Riverside Street, then 1/2 mile walk to club), has an 18-hole golf course; 6309 yds., 72 par; open May 1-November 15. Clubhouse connected; caddies available; profes- sional instruction; subscription rates for season $25, husband and wife $40, family coupon book limited to 100 9-hole, personal coupon books limited to 50 9-hole rounds $12.50; transient rates daily fee except Saturdays, Sun- days, and holidays, 25c for 9-holes before 10 a.m., 50c for 9-holes and 75c for 18-holes during balance of day, all additional 9-holes 25c, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays all-day minimum 75c. Meals served in clubhouse.
Willowdale Golf Club, in Scarborough (6 miles west of the city), has a 9-hole golf course; 3109 yds., 36 par; open May 1-November 1. Club- house connected; caddies available; professional instruction; green fee 50c forenoons except Sundays and holidays, and $1 per day. Meals served in clubhouse.
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Recreational Facilities
GYMNASIUMS
Cathedral Guild Hall, 317 Congress Street, has a basement hall used for games, but is not fully equipped as a gymnasium. The hall is available to members of Catholic parishes and students of parochial schools.
Deering High School, 386 Stevens Avenue, has a gymnasium and in- door track available to students only.
Forest City Gymnasium, 270 Lancaster Street, is equipped for boxing training and workouts; instruction available. Gymnasium rate is $1, with extra charge for lockers.
Jewish Community Center, 341 Cumberland Avenue, has a hall used for various types of indoor games, but is not fully equipped as a gymnasium. The hall is available to members and their guests.
Portland Boys' Club (closed during July, August, and September) 277 Cumberland Avenue, has a fully equipped gymnasium and a small auxiliary gymnasium; the large gymnasium will accommodate 500 specta- tors. The gymnasiums are available to members only.
Portland High School, 284 Cumberland Avenue, has a gymnasium in- cluding an indoor track. The gymnasium is available to students only.
Y. M. C. A., 68 Forest Avenue, has a fully equipped gymnasium; will accommodate 250 spectators. The gymnasium is available to members and their guests; summer membership card $2.
Y. W. C. A., 120 Free Street, has a gymnasium open to members only. The gymnasium may be rented for $5 per night.
HORSESHOE PITCHING
Deering Oaks, Forest, Park, and Deering Avenues, has 8 horseshoe pitch- ing courts; free.
POLO
Pleasant Hill Riding and Driving Club Field, in Scarborough at the junction of Higgin's Beach Turnpike and Highland Avenue, is available to members and their guests. Polo matches are played several times weekly during summer with local and visiting teams. Stabling for mounts near by.
PUBLIC PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS
Unless otherwise indicated all municipal playgrounds open the first Mon- day following the closing of the spring school term and close at the opening
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Recreational Facilities
of the fall school term. Hours of play, unless otherwise indicated, are 9 a.m .- 12 m. and 2-4:30 p.m.
Bayside Playground, Smith and Anderson Streets, is a municipal play- ground with a supervised play program; regular playground equipment and a baseball diamond are available.
Brackett Street Playground, between Spring and Pine Streets, is a munici- pal playground with a supervised play program; regular playground equip- ment is available.
Cunningham Ball Grounds, at Smith, Fox, and Boyd Streets, is a public baseball diamond, supervised and maintained by the city.
Deering Oaks, Forest, Park, and Deering Avenues, is a municipal park with gardens and regular playground facilities under municipal supervi- sion. There is a baseball diamond, 2 softball diamonds, 6 tennis courts, a bowling green, 8 horseshoe courts, a marble court, and a small lake for rowing in summer and skating in winter.
Fore Street Playground, between India and Franklin Streets, is a muni- cipal playground with a supervised play program; regular playground equip- ment is available.
Leland School Playground, Stevens Avenue, is a municipal playground with a supervised play program; regular playground equipment is available.
Lowell Street Playground, Congress, Burnham, and Lowell Streets, is a municipal playground with a supervised play program; regular playground equipment is available.
North Street Baseball Park, adjoining Eastern Promenade at North Street, is a public baseball diamond supervised and maintained by the city.
Payson Park Playground, between Baxter Boulevard and Ocean Avenue, is a municipal playground with a supervised play program; regular play- ground equipment and a softball diamond is available.
Philip J. Deering Playground, Waterville and Fore Streets, is a munici- pal playground with a supervised play program; regular playground equip- ment available.
Pleasant Street Playground, between Center and Oak Streets, is a munici- pal playground with a supervised play program; regular playground equip- ment available.
Reed School Playground, Homestead Street, is a municipal playground
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Recreational Facilities
with a supervised play program; regular playground equipment and a baseball diamond are available.
RACING
Cumberland Fair Grounds, at Cumberland Town (10 miles north of Portland), has one week of sulky racing during Fair Week in the middle of September, and at other times during the summer season; consult local newspapers. There is parimutuel betting; admission varies.
Narragansett Park, at Gorham Town (11 miles southwest of Portland) has one week of sulky racing during Gorham Fair Week, in August, and at other times during the summer season; consult local newspapers. There is parimutuel betting; admission varies.
Old Orchard Beach Kite Track, at Old Orchard Beach (14 miles south of Portland), has a Grand Circuit Meet for 12 consecutive days, excluding Sundays, and at other times during the summer season; consult local news- papers. There is parimutuel betting; admission varies.
RIDING
Pleasant Hill Riding and Driving Club, in Scarborough at junction of Higgin's Beach Turnpike and Highland Avenue, has bridle paths and a polo field. The club does not have mounts for hire, but has stables for members' horses. There are club facilities for members and their guests.
Presumpscot Valley Riding Club, in Westbrook (7 miles west of the city) has 30 horses for hire; rates, $1 per hour without instruction, $2 per hour with instruction, $5 per day, and $35 weekly including board of horse. The club is in the near vicinity of over 100 miles of bridle trails.
Tomlinson Riding School, 730 Westbrook Street, has 10-30 horses; available at an hourly rate of $1.50, which includes instruction if there are two or more riders; $2 per hour for private instruction; and $5 per day; weekly rates vary.
RIFLE RANGES
Caldwell Post American Legion Home, 145 Glenwood Avenue, has a rifle range for members and their guests.
Pine Tree Fish and Game Association, 174 Maine Avenue, has a rifle range open to the public by invitation of members.
Y. M. C. A., 68 Forest Avenue, has an indoor rifle range for members and their guests.
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Recreational Facilities
ROLLER SKATING
Elm Roller Skating Rink, 38 Elm Street, is a large indoor rink, with amplified phonograph music; open 2-4 p.m. and 7:30-10:30 p.m .; admission, 35c for men and 25c for women afternoons, and 35c for men and women evenings. Skates are furnished.
SKATING
Allen Avenue Pond, near Allen's Corner on Allen Avenue, is a skating rink under municipal supervision; free.
Canal Rink, at Whittier and Olympia Streets, is under municipal super- vision; free.
Deering Oaks Pond, at Forest, Park, and Deering Avenues, is a skating rink under municipal supervision; there are facilities for skate rental, sharp- ening, and purchasing; checkrooms and restrooms; free.
Deering Rink, at Deering High Memorial Field on Columbia Road, is under municipal supervision; free.
North Street Rink, on North Street, is under municipal supervision; free.
Ocean Avenue Rink, off Ocean Avenue diagonally opposite the Cum- ming's School, is under municipal supervision; free.
Riverside Rink, at Riverside Golf Course near Riverton, is under munici- pal supervision; the clubhouse is open for accommodation of parties; light lunches and suppers served.
SOFTBALL
Unless otherwise indicated the softball diamonds are available free, al- though reservations for use must be made in advance with the Recreation Commissioner at Portland City Hall.
Brighton Avenue Park, at Brighton Avenue and Douglass Street, has two softball diamonds.
Cunningham Grounds, between Smith and Boyd Streets, has two soft- ball diamonds.
Deering Oaks, Forest, Park, and Deering Avenues has two softball dia- monds.
Eastern Promenade, on Eastern Promenade opposite Walnut Street, has one softball diamond.
Gulliver Field, entered from Stevens Avenue opposite Westbrook Junior College, has two softball diamonds.
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Recreational Facilities
Harvey Grounds, at North Street and Northern Concourse, has one soft- ball diamond.
Nason's Corner Field, between Brighton Avenue and Capisic Street, has one softball diamond.
Payson Park, between Baxter Boulevard and Ocean Avenue, has one softball diamond.
Presumpscot Street Field, opposite Grand Trunk Railroad repair shops, has one softball diamond.
Sewall Street Grounds, Sewall Street, has one softball diamond.
STADIUM AND OTHER ATHLETIC FIELDS
Deering High Memorial Field, Columbia Road, has facilities for base- ball and football games; limited seating capacity.
Portland High School Stadium, Park and Deering Avenues, has facili- ties for baseball, football, and track meets; seating capacity for baseball games is 2,500 and for football games 10,000.
SKEET AND TRAP SHOOTING
Portland Gun Club, on Kelley Road in Falmouth, has a trap-shooting field; arrangements for use by appointment; all equipment furnished. The only charge is for targets and shells.
Portland Skeet Club, in West Falmouth, has a skeet-shooting field; Sat- urdays are the regular shooting days throughout the year, although arrange- ments may be made for other days for private parties. The charge for a 50 target program is $2, plus ammunition.
SWIMMING
East End Beach, near Eastern Promenade, is a municipal beach for salt water swimming and bathing; 88 bathhouse compartments are available; 3 lifeguards and a matron are in attendance; free.
Old Orchard Beach, at Old Orchard Beach (bus from Monument Square, or train from Union Station), has a splendid sand beach fronting open water. Excellent facilities for salt water swimming and bathing; lockers and bathhouses.
Portland Boys' Club, 277 Cumberland Avenue, has a swimming pool with locker room facilities available for members of swimming classes; instruc- tion available. The club is closed during July, August, and September.
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Recreational Facilities
Y. M. C. A., 68 Forest Avenue, has a swimming pool with locker room facilities; instruction available; for use by members and their guests, sum- mer membership cards $2.
TENNIS
Deering Oaks, Forest, Park, and Deering Avenues, has 6 tennis courts; open for play one hour per turn; free.
Portland Country Club, at Falmouth (6 miles east of the city), has 5 ten- nis courts for free use by members; 50c if playing with a member, and $1 for non-members.
Presumpscot Park, Ludlow Street and Columbia Road, has 2 tennis courts; open for play one hour per turn; free.
Purpoodock Country Club, Spurwink Avenue, Cape Elizabeth, has 2 tennis courts available for free use by members and their guests; 50c for non-members.
Will's Playground, Eastern Promenade, has 2 tennis courts; open for play one hour per turn; free.
WINTER SPORTS
Riverside Golf Course, in Riverton, has a toboggan chute and skiing slopes. The clubhouse is available for parties, and meals are served.
Various hills and slopes on the outskirts of the city are used for skiing. Within a radius of 40 miles of Portland, are several towns which offer full winter sports programs. See also Skating.
WRESTLING
Exposition Building, 248 Park Avenue, has facilities for wrestling; reg- ular scheduled matches are conducted by the Arena Athletic Association. There is a seating capacity for 5,000; admission varies.
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Part I The General Background
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Portland Head Light
Reflections
Wreck near Portland Head Light
Cape Shore Surf
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Lumber Schooner
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ـهم الهد بيك بيع
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Widgery Wharf
The Edna Hoyt
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Casco Bay Sunset
Grotto Sunrise
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Unknown Paths
NATURAL SETTING
Name
The name Portland was bestowed on 'The Neck' in 1786, when that section of Falmouth township became a separate municipality; Falmouth in early times included the whole or part of several present-day cities and towns (Portland, South Portland, Westbrook, Cape Elizabeth, and Fal- mouth). Records are incomplete and historians disagree on the selection of the name Portland. It is recorded that at the time of incorporation of the town "appellation was recommended by its local application, its euphonious sound, and its ancient connection with a part of our territory." As early as 1667 Cushing Island was called Portland, and long before 'The Neck' was incorporated a headland on Cape Elizabeth was referred to as Portland Head, and the main channel between the island and the cape was known as Portland Sound.
Geography and Topography
Believed to have once been an island the present closely packed site of Portland was called Machigonne by the Indians. Translated as 'Great Knee' the word aptly describes the peninsula. Fore River flows around the kneecap, Portland Harbor lies along the foreleg, and Back Cove is almost encircled by the calf of the leg and the thigh. Portland's islands in Casco Bay, lying in ranges three to ten miles east, northeast, and southeast of the mainland, form an integral part of the geography of the city.
Occupying about 22 square miles of land area, North Latitude 43º 43' 05", West Longitude 70° 17' 35", the municipal limits of Portland en- compass a land and sea area nearly four times as large, approximately 72 square miles. The mainland section, a knee-shaped peninsula jutting into Casco Bay, contains 11,133 acres, and 17 islands and parts of islands in- cluded within the city's limits, add 2,706 land acres. Back Cove, almost
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Portland City Guide
land-enclosed with a bottle-necked entrance from Portland Harbor, contains slightly more than 660 acres. The greatest north to south mainland length of the city is 4.9 miles; the east to west width is six miles; the approximate north to south length including the island area is over 12 miles.
Metropolitan Portland is packed on the 3-mile sagging ridge of the saddle-contoured peninsula. Approach is possible over land in but one direction-from the northwest. The city rises from a tidal frontage of 22.45 miles to an average height of 100 feet in the central section, and at- tains a maximum height of 192 feet on the Gray Road, near Falmouth. There is an easy slope to the water on both sides from the peninsula ridge, which affords excellent drainage. At the eastern extremity is Munjoy Hill, with an elevation of 161 feet; on the west is the 175-foot Bramhall Hill, ending abruptly in a sharp-faced cliff. Portland's retail business section lies in the central, lower area of the peninsula; the wholesale district sprawls down the southerly slope to encroach upon the harbor piers. On Munjoy Hill are clustered residences, mostly middle class, and a small shopping quarter. The Bramhall locality contains the oldest mansions, having been spared in the 'Great Fire' of 1866.
Harbor and Bay
Portland Harbor, at the west end of Casco Bay, is the most important port on the coast of Maine. It is divided into an inner and outer harbor, the main entrance being from the southwest, west of Cushing Island, through a channel six fathoms deep. There is also a southward approach, marked by Portland Lightship and Cape Elizabeth Lighthouse. The inner harbor has been dredged to 30 feet, reduced a little in places by shoaling. The outer harbor, used for refuge, is behind the islands of the bay. A part of the inner harbor, known as Fore River above the first bridge, has a 30-foot channel to upper Portland Terminal Bridge. Back Cove is also in- cluded as part of the commercial harbor, giving a total water frontage, in- cluding that of South Portland, of about eight and one-half miles.
In 1836 Congress authorized the construction of a breakwater 1,900 feet long, on the southerly side of the harbor entrance giving protection to the wharves. This was completed in 1874, at a cost of about $155,000; by 1927 the United States Government had finished further extensive work dredg- ing channels. The controlling width of the main harbor is 1,100 feet, with a depth of 35 feet at mean low water up to the side of the State Pier.
Off the easterly end of the city is an anchorage basin with an area of
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Natural Setting
about 5,575,680 square feet, with water depth varying from 30 to 45 feet at mean low water. There are limited anchorage grounds among the island roads and on the South Portland side of the main channel, affording a total anchorage of about 6,534,000 square feet, all excellently sheltered.
For a distance of nearly 20 miles, between Cape Small Point near his- toric Fort Popham on the east, to Cape Elizabeth, just south of Portland, stretch the island-studded waters of Casco Bay. The name Casco is said to be derived from the Indian Aucocisco, which, according to some authorities, signifies a resting place, while others give it as crane, or heron. Between its outer points, the bay reaches into the mainland about 12 miles. Its coast line is indented with rivers and notched by 122 coves.
Casco Bay is said to contain more islands than any other body of water in the United States. The exact number of islands has long been a subject of controversy; the count popularly given being 365-"one for each day in the year"-although to get this count one must enumerate mere ledges with sparse tufts of vegetation. It is generally agreed that there are 222 large enough to be classified as islands. These islands are usually divided into three general groups: Outer Range, Middle Range, and Inner Range, and it seems that early settlers tried to exhaust the zoological catalogue in naming them. Some are named for members of the animal kingdom: Cow, Ram, Horse, White Bull, Little Bull, Brown Cow, Horse No. 2, and Bear. Others are christened after birds: Crow, Goose, Goslin, and Eagle; several for things of the sea: Crab, Whaleboat, and Haddock Ledge; and coastal farms were recalled in: House, Pumpkin, Turnip, and Gooseberry. What circumstances, or whimsical turns, gave birth to others would make a his- tory in itself, notably the lordly Ministerial; the exciting Bold Dick; the enigmatical Burnt Coat; and the suggestive Rogue.
The bay is noted for its peninsulas, the most important being Casco Neck, upon which lies the City of Portland. To the east, Harpswell reaches eight tortuous miles into the bay, a host of small islands flanking its bor- ders; at its tip islands are thick-clustered, and the mainland stretches into the water like a finely tapered hand with fingers extended, laved between by soothing bays and inlets.
Along the shores of the bay the mean range of tide is 8.9 feet, although tides of 11 feet are not uncommon. In 1909 there was a tide of 13.3 feet. The effect of high winds may cause deviations of 4.5 feet, either at flood or ebb tide. The tidal currents that exist near bridges rarely have a velocity that exceeds two miles per hour.
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Portland City Guide
The Islands
Within the boundaries of Portland are 17 sizable Casco Bay islands to- gether with 15 rocks, reefs, and ledges dignified with names. Typical of the State's coastal scenery, this part of Casco Bay leaves an impression not only of strength, but of reticence. There is a sturdiness and ruggedness about the vari-colored vistas that make understandable the undaunted nature of the early settlers now written into the characters of their descendants who wrest a hard sustenance from this region of rocky soil and stormy seas. Most of the larger islands are heavily wooded with fir, pine, and cedar. Crescents of sandy beaches emphasize wild cliffs whose slate sides are battered by pitching waves and wind-tossed spray. The islands have brief, colorful sum- mers and long, silent winters. Spring often forgets to visit their shores and autumn flaunts crimson banners for only a few weeks.
Many of the islands have communities of native-born who spend part of the year catering to the whims of "summer-folks," but who fish almost ex- clusively in winter. For the most part generous-hearted, conservative, and somewhat unresponsive, these fishermen are not always tolerant in their opin- ions, whether political, religious, or social. A flavor of quiet egoism sur- rounds them. Their islands are not entirely isolated but are inaccessible enough so that many of the old ways of living are retained. A man's boat or the day's catch of fish are still of supreme importance. Always their great pride has been in good ships and good men to sail them. Living with the sea as a constant companion they have become a somewhat mystic and imaginative people. Singularly free from the influence of immigration, the island people are to a large extent of English descent. Generation after generation of pure English blood and English names have succeeded each other. The influence of their forebears is especially noticeable in their speech, similar in a marked degree to the vernacular of England's Sussex shire in its nasal qualities, slurred enunciation, and dropped syllables with a hesitancy in delivery.
Exciting yarns are told to fascinated listeners who thrill to tales of phan- tom ships, of wraith-like shapes, bloodcurdling cries, or an arsenal whose door will not stay locked. Even the names Bold Dick Ledge, Broken Cove, David's Castle, Burnt Coat, or Witch Rock summon up the likelihood of innumerable legends. Heartbreaking details of wrecked ships and men whom the sea has claimed substantiate the fact that the rocky Nemesis of Casco Bay all too frequently has exacted tribute. Perhaps the thought of
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Natural Setting
these quick deaths prompted Captain Johnson a number of years ago to tie up his old fishing schooner to the wharf at Great Diamond Island. He called his ship Excalibur - from the Legends of King Arthur he loved so well. He was an eccentric who tamed a rat to take his dead wife's place at the table. At the captain's death Excalibur was towed out to sea and burned.
The largest of Portland's insular possessions is 912-acre Long Island; its chief activities are fishing and farming. It was first occupied by John Sears who came from Massachusetts in 1646 and lived there 40 years. John Smith of Boston bought it in 1706, and on an old map of Casco Bay published in London about that time, it was known as Smith's Island. Mineral springs were perhaps responsible for its being a favorite summering place for the Abnaki Indians whose relics of stone implements, flint arrowheads, and shell heaps bear out this testimony. It has also been the stamping ground for treasure hunters; as late as 1840 the Algerines, a social organization of Portland, made annual pilgrimages in search of buried treasure. With ex- cellent roads, the lure of "Singing Beach" at the end of Nubble, its Har- bor de Grace with its Hampton boats, Long Island has become a great favorite with inland people seeking island delights.
Next in size, with 717 acres, Peak Island, called by the English Pond's, and during the 90's the "Coney Island of the East" the most populous of the city's insular wards, is the chief barrier between the inner bay and the ocean. Leased by Cleeve to his son-in-law Michael Mitton in 1637, for many years title to it was challenged by John Winter, agent for the Tre- lawny interests; it was then known as Michael's Island. Through later con- veyances it was known as Munjoy's and Palmer's Island. Some historians believe George Munjoy built a stone house on this island before 1675; Wil- liam Willis contends this was the island Levett chose and called York. During George Munjoy's occupancy the stone house was known as Munjoy's Garrison. A month before the destruction of the 'The Neck' in 1690 this island was the mobilization point for the French and Indians. Peak Island was also the locale for John Josselyn's story of Mitton and the "triton or mereman." Mitton was "a great fouler, and used to go out with a small boat or canoe, and fetching a compass about a small island ... he en- countered with a triton, who laying his hands upon the side of the canoe, had one of them chopt off with a hatchet by Mr. Mitton, which was in all respects like the hand of a man; the triton presently sunk, dyeing the water with his purple blood, and was no more seen."
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