Old Port facts for kids

Exchange Street, in the Old Port, viewed from the bottom of its hill, during the height of the summer tourist season.

The distinctive glass awning of Bull Feeney's, at the corner of Fore and Exchange Street. Much of the Old Port keeps true to its 19th-century architecture and styling.

The Old Port (also called the Old Port Exchange) is a cool neighborhood in Portland, Maine. It's famous for its streets made of cobblestone (small, rounded stones), old brick buildings from the 1800s, and busy fishing piers. This area is packed with unique shops, tasty restaurants, and fun places to visit. The Old Port is a lively spot that many tourists and local people love to explore.

Exploring the Old Port's Location

The Old Port neighborhood is found on the southeast side of the Portland peninsula. It looks out over the wide mouth of the Fore River. To the east, it's bordered by Franklin Street (which is also United States Route 1A). Along the waterfront, Commercial Street runs southwest. You'll see buildings from the 1800s on its north side, stretching as far west as Maple Street.

The district reaches inland to Federal Street, located between Pearl and Temple Streets. Fore and Middle Streets are important cross streets that run roughly parallel to the waterfront. The area along the shore on the southeast side of Commercial Street is lined with many wharves, which are docks where ships can load and unload goods. A big part of this area is a special historic district. It's listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the "Portland Waterfront Historic District." This means it's a protected area because of its important history.

A Look Back at Old Port's History

The Portland peninsula was first settled way back in the 1600s. However, people left the area during the French and Indian Wars in the late 1600s and early 1700s. It was settled again and officially became a town called Falmouth in 1718.

Growth and Challenges in the 1700s

In the 1700s, the town grew wealthy because of the lumber trade. They especially traded in huge, untouched trees used to make ship masts. When the American Revolutionary War began, a large part of the city was destroyed by fire. This happened during a British attack in October 1775.

Rebuilding and New Beginnings

After the fire, the city was rebuilt. It once again became a major shipping hub and Maine's most important port and economic center. Commercial Street was created in the 1850s by filling in land. The Middle and Exchange Street area grew into a big business district. In 1866, a huge fire swept through the area. This led to a lot of new buildings being constructed.

Modern Changes and Development

The Old Port changed a lot in the 1970s. Real estate developers bought old, rundown buildings. They fixed them up into apartments, condos, offices, and shops. New restaurants also opened, like The Hollow Reed on Fore Street. These restaurants helped shape the city's food scene today.

During the same time, the Old Port Association was formed. This group helped stop the city from tearing down historic buildings, like Portland (Maine) Union Station. They also worked to improve the streets and public spaces. The Cumberland County Civic Center was built at the top of the Old Port in 1977. In the early 1980s, Congress passed the Economic Recovery Tax Act. This law offered tax benefits for redevelopment projects. It encouraged even more development in the Old Port district.

In 2006, construction started on the Ocean Gateway project. The Ocean Gateway now serves as the city's cruise ship terminal, where large passenger ships dock.

Old Port Festival: A Community Celebration

The Old Port Festival was a yearly one-day event held in the Old Port. For 36 years (from 1973 to 2009), it took place on the first Sunday in June. However, because it often rained on that day, organizers moved the festival to the second Sunday in June starting in 2010. This helped avoid heavy rain.

Festival Highlights and Fun Facts

In 2009, the festival organizers tried to create the world's largest lobster roll. It used 48 pounds of lobster meat and 4 gallons of mayonnaise! The giant roll measured 61 feet and 9.5 inches long. Pieces of this huge lobster roll were sold to help a youth organization. In 1998, the event included games for children, such as a petting zoo and miniature golf. The final Old Port Festival took place in June 2019. However, some local business owners wanted to continue the event.