Discover a pivotal snapshot of Portland’s rise as a trade hub.
This nonfiction work compiles essential statistics and analysis on Portland Harbor, Maine’s railways, and shipbuilding during the mid-1800s, highlighting the forces that shaped a growing commercial power.
The book presents a clear narrative of how rapid infrastructure development—especially the Grand Trunk Railway and related lines—transformed Portland into a key Atlantic port. It also explains the broader economic context, from population growth to exports of grain, lumber, and ships, and how these changes positioned Portland against other American and Canadian cities.
- A detailed account of Portland’s harbor advantages and its role in regional and international trade.
- A survey of Maine’s railway system, including trunk lines, branches, and planned connections to Canada and the United States.
- Statistics on shipbuilding, tonnage, and the evolving shipbuilding workforce in Maine.
- Comparative data on population, real estate value, imports/exports, and immigrant arrivals in the mid-19th century.
Ideal for readers of maritime history, economic history, and readers curious about 19th-century industrial growth in New England.