Abstract

    The history of Portland is one filled with numerous ups and downs--natural disasters, political struggle, economic slumps and several wars are just a few of the obstacles Portland has faced over the past 350 years or so.  Portland, burnt to the ground twice by the Abnaki Indians, once by the British, and once again by accident, has always managed to rise from the ashes, like it's symbol the phoenix.  Portland has reacted in a similar way to the rise and fall of economic activity that has taken place through it's history.  

    The waterfront in particular has undergone many shifts and changes over time.  It has been home to many industries over the years: fishing, shipbuilding, canning, and logging are just a few.  A rival to Boston nearly from the start, Portland was a crucial trade hub between Britain, the West Indies and Canada.

    The waterfront has experienced numerous rises and declines over the years, but the most significant of them all occurred in the mid-late 19th century and continued into the early 20th century.  Taking advantage of it's geographic location, Portland took the lead in Canadian trade, leaving ports like Boston in the wake for a time.  

    However, with advancing technology Portland began to loose it's edge--technology became a more important factor than geographic location.  With new ways of transporting goods (via rail and road) the waterfront lost it's hold on Portland's economy.  Businesses no longer needed to be on the waterfront since transportation was no longer an issue.  But acting true to it's symbol the phoenix, the waterfront has once again pulled itself from the ashes and opened new avenues of economic activity, focusing mostly on the service sector and tourism.