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Our Portland, ME real estate website provides a wealth of information for home buyers and home sellers. Below, you will find information on the history and culture of Portland as well as links to more detailed information such as demographics and schools. You may view a virtual tour, search homes for sale, and access information on different types of properties such as condos, farms, foreclosures, and vacation homes. This website will give you everything you need to buy or sell a home in Portland, ME.
Virtual Homes is a full-service residential real estate company dedicated to providing a wealth of real estate and local community information to home buyers and home sellers. Our agents are ready to assist you with all of your real estate needs.
Portland ME Community Profile & History
Portland, Maine is Maine's largest city, a diverse community situated on a peninsula jutting out into spectacular Casco Bay, and a popular destination for scenic beauty, splendid recreational opportunities and a wealth of historic and cultural offerings.
Portland was originally called "Machigonne" by the Native Americans who first inhabited the region. It was settled by the British in 1632 as a fishing and trading settlement and renamed Casco. In 1658 its name was changed again, this time to "Falmouth." A monument at the end of Congress Street where it meets the Eastern Promenade is a tribute to the four historical names for Portland.
In 1675, the village was completely destroyed by the Wampanoag people during King Philip's War. Although the village was soon rebuit, it suffered further attacks and on October 18, 1775 was bombarded during the American Revolutionary War by the Royal Navy under command of Captain Henry Mowat.
Following the war, a section of Falmouth called "The Neck" developed as a commercial port and began to grow rapidly as a shipping center. In 1786, the citizens of Falmouth formed a separate town in Falmouth Neck and named it "Portland." Portland's economy was greatly stressed by the Embargo Act of 1807 (prohibition of trade with the British) and the War of 1812. In 1820 Maine became a state and Portland was selected as its capital.
By this time both the Embargo Act and the war had ended, and Portland's economy began to recover. In 1832 the capital was moved to Augusta, though Portland has since remained the state's cultural, social and economic hub. History is kept alive in Portland with constant attention to landmark preservation.
In the downtown area, Old World charm mixes with modern buildings while the ornate architecture and cobblestone streets of the Old Port Exchange reacall a time when the pace of life was slower. Renewed interest in exporting, the prominent fishing industry and the redevelopment of Portland's working waterfront have revitalized this "Jewel by the Sea", as Henry Wadsworth Longfellow dubbed his boyhood home.
Portland Maine Community Information
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Different financing alternatives are available depending on whether you are purchasing a single family, condo, multi-family, or investment property. Understanding the pros and cons of each may help you decide which option is the best for you. Speak to our buyer agent professionals and mortgage partners to understand and evaluate your options.