South Portland, Maine
South Portland, Maine | ||
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FIPS code 23-76750 | | |
GNIS feature ID | 0575893 | |
Website | www.southportland.org |
South Portland is a city in
Despite the name, South Portland was never part of the city of Portland, but rather part of
History
This section needs additional citations for verification. (February 2024) |
South Portland was first colonized in 1630, and it grew to become a small residential community with many farms. The village was raided by natives in
On South Portland's waterfront is
In December 1844, Portland resident Ellen G. White, who became a founder of the Seventh-day Adventist church, is said to have experienced her first vision during a prayer meeting at the home of Mrs. Haines at 60 Ocean Street, which later became the Griffin Club. The building was torn down in 2018.[7]
In 1940, the Todd-Bath Iron Shipbuilding Corp (later called the "East Yard") was established to build cargo ships for Britain. When the United States became involved with World War II, the shipyard expanded to include the South Portland Shipbuilding Corp. (aka the “West Yard”), that later combined with the Todd-Bath yard to become the
On July 11, 1944, at 4:45 p.m.,
Over the last few decades, South Portland has become the retail capital of Maine. The Mill Creek shopping center, built in the 1950s, was the first such "strip mall" built in Maine: a line of stores under one long roof and a covered walkway. Mill Creek has changed and grown significantly since, but the original layout still forms the core of the stores. The area in Mill Creek known as the Waterfront Market sits at the base of the Casco Bay Bridge and attracts shoppers from Scarborough, Cape Elizabeth and Portland.
The need for a large mall in Maine emerged in the 1960s, as Portland's downtown district could not accommodate the growing retail market. A former pig farm in South Portland was chosen as the site for the project because it was close to I-95 and convenient from Portland. Beginning construction of the
The oldest neighborhood in South Portland, and its former "retail corridor", is Ferry Village. Prior to the Casco Bay Bridge (or the one it replaced, the Million Dollar Bridge), ferries transported people and goods back and forth across the harbor to Portland. The landscape and the makeup of residents in Ferry Village were forever changed upon the close of the WWII shipyards. The Village has slowly bounced back and is now one of the more popular places in the city to live.
Ferry Village also has one of the most active and involved neighborhood associations in Southern Maine. The Ferry Village Neighborhood Conservation Association (FVNCA) was formed in August 1985 to address the development boom in the 1980s which was quickly altering the character of the waterfront and many Greater Portland neighborhoods. FVNCA was instrumental in the formation of the South Portland Land Trust as well as the City-managed Land Bank which provides seed money for the acquisition of available open space.
After decades of neglect, the westernmost neighborhoods of South Portland, including Redbank and Brick Hill, experienced new growth and revitalization in 2006 with the redevelopment of the former Maine Youth Center site as a mixed-use neighborhood featuring affordable housing, market rate housing, professional offices and outdoor recreational spaces.[12] The redevelopment of the Brick Hill site spurred additional private development nearby in the form of market rate housing, retail and light industry. The city's 2017 West End Master Plan aims to further encourage such development in that area of the city.[13]
South Portland was voted one of the best places to live in Maine in 2018.[14]
Government and politics
South Portland has a
The
Every December, the members of the council elect one of themselves as mayor, which is primarily a ceremonial title. The mayor serves as chairman of the council.
The city council is responsible for establishing policy, passing local ordinances, voting appropriations, and developing an overall vision for the city.
The council appoints a
Elections
Voter registration
Voter Registration and Party Enrollment as of January 2022[17] | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Party | Total Voters | Percentage | |||
Democratic | 11,195 | 51.13% | |||
Unenrolled | 6,242 | 28.51% | |||
Republican | 3,592 | 16.40% | |||
Green Independent | 866 | 3.96% | |||
Libertarian | 2 | 0% | |||
Total | 21,897 | 100.00% |
Mayoral controversy
In December 2007, then-mayor James Soule made headlines in Maine and across the country when he proposed in his inaugural address that South Portland, along with parts of southern Maine,
Soule's proposal was panned by the congressional delegation and by Governor Baldacci, whose spokesman called it "silly" and "counterproductive."[18]
The proposal did not gain any traction, and Soule did not continue to pursue it. Soule nominated himself for reelection as mayor in November 2008, but was defeated by Thomas Blake in a 6–1 vote. Soule voted for himself.[21]
Geography
South Portland is bordered by Portland to the north, Cape Elizabeth and Scarborough to the south, and Westbrook to the west. The city is located at 43°37′54″N 70°16′22″W / 43.63167°N 70.27278°W. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 14.02 square miles (36.31 km2), of which 11.99 square miles (31.05 km2) is land and 2.03 square miles (5.26 km2) is water.[22]
Villages and neighborhoods
As defined by the city's Planning Department in a 2018 neighborhood map,[23] South Portland comprises the following districts that could be described in some cases as urban or suburban villages, listed below in bold; historic neighborhoods are in italics.[24]
- Ferry Village
- Cushing's Point
- Knightville
- Mill Creek
- Ligonia
- Pleasantdale
- Highland Avenue / Stanwood Park
- Skunk Hill
- Brick Hill
- Cash Corner
- Country Gardens
- The Maine Mall
- Meadowbrook
- Redbank
- Sunset Park
- Thornton Heights
- Town House Corner
- South Portland Heights
- Willard
- Loveitt's Field
- Meetinghouse Hill
- Willard Beach
Education
South Portland's public school system has five neighborhood elementary schools: Brown School, Dyer School, Kaler School,
South Portland has two private schools: Holy Cross School, which is a Roman Catholic K–8 school, and Greater Portland Christian School, which is a non-denominational Christian K–12 school.
South Portland also boasts three institutions of higher learning:
Places of worship
Christian churches in the area include the First Baptist Church of South Portland (Baptist),[26] Holy Cross Church (Roman Catholic),[27] Peoples United Methodist Church and Thornton Heights United Methodist Church (Methodist),[28][29] South Portland Church of the Nazarene (Nazarene),[30] First Congregational Church of South Portland (United Church of Christ),[31] Christ Fellowship Church, Eastpoint Christian Church and Greater Portland Church of Christ (Christian, nondenominational).[32][33][34]
There is also a Buddhist Peace Center,[35] and a Reform Judaism congregation locally.[36]
Media
There are several local media groups that report on the news of the city. The South Portland Sentry offers a free newspaper that covers the city's events and news. It has a circulation of 17,000 and is distributed to residents free of charge. Regional newspapers such as
Media coverage for South Portland is also provided by Portland's television stations, radio stations, and periodicals.
Economy
While the city is considered suburban, it also has a diverse economy, as evidenced by its working waterfront and large retail center.
Home to the
The city is also home to manufacturing facilities for the technology companies
The Maine Mall is the largest and busiest mall in the state and attracts thousands of shoppers each year.
The main runway of Maine's busiest airport, the Portland International Jetport, is located within the city of South Portland.[41] The passenger terminal is located within the city of Portland.
Transportation
The city-owned South Portland Bus Service provides public transportation throughout the city.[42]
Points of interest
South Portland has a number of parks and open spaces. One of the main features of South Portland is the historic Greenbelt walkway, which is a three-mile (5 km) paved trail that crosses through several neighborhoods and provides views of the harbor. Mill Creek Park is located in South Portland's downtown area and has landscaped pond area and rose garden. The park hosts several local events, including summer concerts, Art in the Park, holiday tree lighting and ice skating in the winter. Other local parks include Wainwright Farm, which is a recreational facility and Hinckley Park which is a 40-acre (160,000 m2) wooded area that has two ponds. The city's waterfront has several recreational marinas and is home to the last free beach in the area, Willard Beach.[citation needed]
Other attractions:
- Calvary Cemetery
- Fort Preble
- The Maine Mall
- Portland Breakwater Light (known locally as Bug Light)
- Shoreway Arboretum
- South Portland Armory
- South Portland Historical Society
- South Portland Municipal Golf Course
- South Portland Public Library
- Southern Maine Community College
- Spring Point Ledge Light
Demographics
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1900 | 6,287 | — | |
1910 | 7,471 | 18.8% | |
1920 | 9,254 | 23.9% | |
1930 | 13,840 | 49.6% | |
1940 | 15,781 | 14.0% | |
1950 | 21,866 | 38.6% | |
1960 | 22,788 | 4.2% | |
1970 | 23,267 | 2.1% | |
1980 | 22,712 | −2.4% | |
1990 | 23,163 | 2.0% | |
2000 | 23,324 | 0.7% | |
2010 | 25,002 | 7.2% | |
2020 | 26,498 | 6.0% | |
[43][44][45] |
2010 census
As of the
There were 10,877 households, of which 27.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.6% were married couples living together, 12.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 43.0% were non-families. Of all households, 31.9% were made up of individuals, and 11.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.84.
The median age in the city was 39.4 years. 20.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 28.4% were from 25 to 44; 27.8% were from 45 to 64; and 13.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.7% male and 52.3% female.
2000 census
As of the
There were 10,047 households, out of which 27.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.1% were married couples living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.9% were non-families. Of all households, 30.7% were made up of individuals, and 12.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.85.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 22.3% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 32.2% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and 14.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $42,770, and the median income for a family was $52,833. Males had a median income of $32,256 versus $28,630 for females. The
Notable people
- Robert G. Albion, author, historian, college professor
- Jim Beattie, baseball pitcher
- Larry Bliss, state senator
- Lynn Bromley, state senator and Small Business Administration official
- Brett Brown, football coach
- Peter Buck, co-founder of Subway restaurant chain
- Clarke Canfield, journalist, author
- Frank M. Coffin, judge, U.S. congressman
- Chris Coyne, co-founder of OkCupid[48]
- Bob Crowley, winner of Survivor: Gabon
- Santo DiPietro, businessperson, city councilor and state legislator
- Jane Eberle, state legislator
- Charlie Furbush, baseball pitcher
- Jon Gillies, hockey goaltender
- John W. Gulick, U.S. Army major general[49]
- Simon M. Hamlin, U.S. congressman
- Frederick Hinckley, land developer, mayor and state legislator
- Ed McAleney, football player
- Wes McCauley, hockey player and referee
- Terry Morrison, state legislator
- Judd Nelson, actor
- James C. Oliver, U.S. congressman
- Edward Reynolds, first Mayor of South Portland (1899–1900), State Senator
- Bill Swift, baseball pitcher
References
- ^ Harrington, Duke (July 25, 2014). "Debate hard fought, but likely not over". South Portland Sentry. Retrieved July 25, 2014.
The new zoning regulation for the Park City – so-called for its 15 public green spaces, including scenic Bug Light Park next to, and largely owned by PPL — bans bulk loading of all crude oil onto ships. It also bans construction of infrastructure needed for that purpose.
- ^ Kaplan, Melanie D.G. (October 18, 2019). "Things to do in South Portland, Maine". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
SoPo, as it's called, is a city unto itself, a former shipbuilding center with a working waterfront that feels like a beach town.
- ^ "City of South Portland - Executive Department". Retrieved April 25, 2018.
- ^ "City Council Members & Contact Information". Retrieved January 1, 2024.
- ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 8, 2022.
- ^ "Census - Geography Profile: South Portland city, Maine". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 8, 2022.
- ^ Laaka, Juliette (April 17, 2018). "'Spirits' remain as South Portland's former Griffin Club disappears". Press Herald. Retrieved July 2, 2020.
- ^ Billings, Randy (April 1, 2010). "Fundraising for South Portland air crash memorial faces June deadline". The Forecaster. Archived from the original on July 19, 2011. Retrieved July 12, 2010.
It happened at 4:45 p.m. on July 11, 1944.
- ^ Cornish, Caroline (July 11, 2010). "Long Creek Air Tragedy Memorial is dedicated". WCSH. Archived from the original on December 10, 2012. Retrieved July 12, 2010.
- ^ Billings, Randy (July 1, 2010). "South Portland air crash memorial takes shape, dedication planned for July 11". The Forecaster. Archived from the original on July 19, 2011. Retrieved July 12, 2010.
- ^ Hudson, Diane (July 16, 2010). "South Portland honors Long Creek air crash victims". The Forecaster. Archived from the original on July 20, 2010. Retrieved July 21, 2010.
- ^ "Brick Hill". Greater Portland Landmarks. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
- ^ "West End Master Plan" (PDF). City of South Portland. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
- ^ O'Brien, Cameron (December 26, 2018). "South Portland Tops the Charts as "Best Place to Live in Maine" in 2018". News Center Maine. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
- ^ "South Portland - City Council". City of South Portland. Archived from the original on December 15, 2008. Retrieved April 13, 2009.
- ^ "South Portland - Executive". City of South Portland. Archived from the original on October 15, 2008. Retrieved April 13, 2009.
- ^ "REGISTERED & ENROLLED VOTERS - STATEWIDE" (PDF). Secretary of State of Maine. January 27, 2022. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
- ^ a b c Huang, Josie (December 4, 2007). "Mayor calls for secession from Maine". Portland Press Herald. Archived from the original on January 28, 2013. Retrieved April 13, 2009.
- ^ Russell, Jenna (December 30, 2007). "Mayor says Maine should be two states". Boston Globe. Retrieved April 13, 2009.
- ^ "Mayor Promotes Secession". News8 WMTW-TV. December 5, 2007. Archived from the original on December 11, 2021. Retrieved June 13, 2010.
- ^ Hersey, Linda (November 24, 2008). "Blake Wins Caucus By 6-1 Vote". The South Portlander. Archived from the original on February 15, 2009. Retrieved April 13, 2009.
- ^ "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 25, 2012. Retrieved November 23, 2012.
- ^ "Neighborhood Map". City of South Portland. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
- ^ Eschholz, Lori; South Portland Historical Society (2006). The Many Villages of South Portland, Maine. South Portland, Maine: South Portland Historical Society.
- ^ Johnson, Drew (May 4, 2023). "An early look inside: South Portland Middle School set for fall opening". The Forecaster. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
- ^ "百姓彩票首页-安全购彩". www.spfbc.com.
- ^ "saintmax.com". www.afternic.com.
- ^ "Churches".
- ^ "Thornton Heights United Methodist Church Touching Lives Through the Power of God's Love". www.thorntonheightsumc.com.
- ^ "First Light Church". First Light Church.
- ^ "First Congregational Church - United Church of Christ - South Portland ME". First Congregational Church - United Church of Christ.
- ^ "Eastpoint Christian Church". Eastpoint Christian Church.
- ^ "Greater Portland Church of Christ".
- ^ "Christ Fellowship Church: Portland, ME".
- ^ "Vietnamese Buddhists move into historic South Portland church - Keep Me Current: News". December 6, 2015. Archived from the original on December 6, 2015.
- ^ "Congregation Bet Ha'am – Bet Ha'am is a Reform Jewish congregation in Southern Maine". www.bethaam.org.
- ^ "Portland-Montreal Pipe Line: About Us". pmpl.com. Archived from the original on February 2, 2008. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
- InsideClimate News. Retrieved December 8, 2019.
- ^ "Contact Us at ON Semiconductor". www.fairchildsemi.com. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
- ^ "Texas Instruments execs discuss plans for acquired Maine plant". bangordailynews.com. September 27, 2011. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
- ^ Randy Billings (June 11, 2009). "Cities, trail groups stall Jetport runway expansion". The Forecaster. Archived from the original on June 30, 2012. Retrieved March 21, 2013.
- ^ South Portland Bus Service – State of Maine official website
- ^ "MAINE Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". March 17, 1995. Archived from the original on April 20, 2020. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
- ^ Bureau, U.S. Census. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
- ^ "University of Virginia Library". mapserver.lib.virginia.edu. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 23, 2012.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ Hemmerdinger, Jonathan (March 3, 2011). "Matchmaking math: 1 + 1 = $50 million". Portland Press Herald. Retrieved March 7, 2011.
- ^ * Giffin, Stewart S. (May 1930). "Major General John W. Gulick, Chief of Coast Artillery" (PDF). The Coast Artillery Journal. Washington, DC: U.S. Army Coast Artillery Corps. pp. 382–384. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 2, 2017. Retrieved June 18, 2018.