Wednesday, June 20, 2012

PORT-land

Here's your brief history and geography lesson for the day. Back in 1786, the citizens of an area in Falmouth called the Neck broke away from town and named the peninsula Portland. They named it after an isle near Dorset, England. It had fast become an important commercial and shipping center in the Northeast. It still is today, after all the main artery that runs along the water is Commercial Street. If you ever get a chance to take a look at a map of the area, it's pretty hard to miss the city of Portland. It's shaped like a 'fist', as it juts out into the Atlantic. Class dismissed for the summer!

17 comments:

  1. I'm getting smarter and smarter as I read posts on various blogs. Off to my atlas now to double-check your lastest lesson! I want to know more about "Ports of America!"

    ReplyDelete
  2. I think we're going to be in Portland July 28. Maybe my husb. and I can meet you and Elenka? Have lunch or dinner? If that's a possibility, let me know and I'll get contact info from brattcat.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks for the history lesson, very interesting post!
    Léia

    ReplyDelete
  4. Whew, at least there wasn't a test. Nice post.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I'm going to check the map right now!

    ReplyDelete
  6. a voir en effet sur google earth

    ReplyDelete
  7. I like your geography: it is essential and funny!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I always like learning something!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Googled. Now I'm ready for summer school.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thank you for the history lesson. One question: Is this where Portland Cement comes from? Or rather, Does Portland Cement come from this city. Therein lies your grammar lesson for today. :-))

    ReplyDelete
  11. Negatory, my good man Lowell.
    Bricklayer Joseph Aspdin of Leeds, England first made portland cement early in the 19th century. Did you want this for an extra credit question on your Geography test?

    ReplyDelete
  12. I'm off to check a map since I have to admit that I really don't know where Portland is exactly!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hey teach, can you tell me why there is a chocolate church in Bath, ME? I too love history and learning from the professor as long as quizzes and tests are excluded.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Does the Scotia Prince still sail from Portland?

    ReplyDelete
  15. Okay, but I'm still showing up for the exam in just over five weeks on my way to Rockport. What to shoot?

    ReplyDelete