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Dedication

History

Scenic Portland

The following 20 pictures were donated to Portland Online through the kindness of Julie Larson, a local resident. They represent a collection of postcards that were collected by her grandfather, Ernest Lester "Boppy" Larson. See the Dedication page for a message from Julie.

Other photos have been added from different sources, as noted.


 (***click image for an expanded view)

port01.jpg (61623 bytes) The old Swedish Church, which today houses services for the Seventh Day Adventists. Date of post: September 19, 1907.
 

port02.jpg (77929 bytes)Trinity Church. A beautiful example of brownstone construction. Date of Post: July, 6 1907.
 

port03.jpg (70602 bytes)Old Nellie and a couple of Portland's intrepid Fire Fighters from Hose Company #2, Gildersleeve section of town. Date unknown.
 

port04.jpg (75785 bytes)The Portland Quarries. Notice the railroad tracks, and inlet where barges could be loaded with stone blocks. Date of post: May 17, 1907.  
   

port05.jpg (64373 bytes)One of the barges under construction at the Gildersleeve Shipyard. Date of post: February 3, 1909.
 

port06.jpg (63008 bytes)Central School, long before it was destined to become Portland's Town Hall in the year 2000. It originally housed just 7 students! Date of post: November 30, 1909.
 

port07.jpg (61039 bytes)A typical class from an old Portland school house, though to be on Rose Hill Road. Class of 1910. One of the students is Leonard Larson, son of John David Larson II.
 

port08.jpg (79223 bytes)What you would see crossing the original bridge that connected Portland to Middletown. You can see the trolley tracks (horse drawn trolley). Notice the sign warning people to walk their horse under penalty of the law! Date of post: January 19, 1909.
 

port09.jpg (81670 bytes)A view down scenic Main Street in the Gildersleeve section of town. Date of post: April 4, 1907.
 

port10.jpg (68403 bytes)The old Gildersleeve School. Trolley at left. Date of post: March 11, 1907.
 

port11.jpg (53541 bytes)Portland's Civil War monument, located on the corner of Barlett and Main. A fine example of brownstone construction. If it seems different today, it's because the wall surrounding it had to be lowered to aid drivers in seeing traffic. Date of post: March 25, 1905.
 

port13.jpg (80575 bytes)Portland was once well known for its tobacco crops as well. Here you see a picture of the field partially harvested, with a tobacco barn in the rear. Date unknown.  
 

port14.jpg (61901 bytes)Another view of Main Street.
 

port15.jpg (60052 bytes)This is actually a picture of Main Street in Middletown. What makes it relevant to Portland is the scene behind the buildings, where you can see the original lift bridge that led to Portland. 
 

port16.jpg (69658 bytes)There was a ferry that crossed the river also. Notice Middletown and bridge in background. Date of post: July 1908.
 

port17.jpg (49212 bytes)Here is a river landing that was known as "SIAM." Located in the Gildersleeve section of town. 1906.
 

port18.jpg (57777 bytes)Recognize the meadows section of Main Street, curving down to the Exchange Club "Fairgrounds?" 1907.
 

port19.jpg (54256 bytes)Paddling by the piling on the Connecticut River. Gildersleeve. Date of post: January 30, 1909.
 

port20.jpg (61284 bytes) The waterfall on Cox Road. The building on the left is no longer present, but the falls remain as a recognizable landmark. Date of post: April 20, 1910.
 

Construction of the Arrigoni Bridge. Portland is on the right side, Middletown on the left. 1933.

--The following photos were not from the Larson collection, but were added later

working_in_quarry.jpg (55463 bytes) Working in the quarries was back-breaking labor, as is evidenced in this photo, donated by Peggy and George Perazzo of Antioch, California (a couple of quarry aficionados). You can access their web-site at:  www.freepages.history.com/
A rare and fantastic view of a crane used to load brownstone blocks onto ships from the nearby dock. Photo donated by George and Peggy Perazzo of Antioch, California.
 
ct-portland01 (7).jpg (93833 bytes) Another view of the quarry, given to us by George and Peggy Perazzo of Antioch, California.
 
church_monument.jpg (96388 bytes) An interesting view of the Soldiers Monument with the Congregational Church in the background. Given to us by Karen Baker.
 
Jobs_Pond.jpg (78260 bytes) Jobs Pond. Donated by Karen Baker.
 
Town_Hall.jpg (59645 bytes) The old Town Hall, with what appears to be a fountain in front of it. From Karen Baker.
 
quarry1.jpg (36949 bytes) A view of the quarry, given to us by George and Peggy Perazzo of Antioch, California.
quarry2.jpg (55231 bytes) Another view of the quarry, given to us by George and Peggy Perazzo of Antioch, California.

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