Historical Markers in
Cumberland County, Maine

1893 Bandstand 20,000 Civil War veterans tent here 9/11 Memorial A Dirty History of Casco Bay A Town Within A Town Alonzo P. Stinson Androscoggin Swinging Bridge Annie C. McGuire Shipwreck Memorial Arctic Campaign Memorial Armenian Genocide Memorial Artillery Engineer Storehouse Asa Clapp / Asa William Henry Clapp / Mary Jane Emerson Clapp Bachelor Officers' Quarters Bachelor's Officers' Quarters Back Cove Trail Bailey Island Bridge Battery Blair Battery Blair Battery Erasmus Keyes Battery Hobart Baxter Trail: Discover the Baxters' legacy in Portland Birthplace of Ellen G. White Bowdoin College War Memorial Bowdoin College World War Memorial Boxer and Enterprise Bridgton's Sons Civil War Memorial Brunswick Veterans Memorial Capt. Henry Barrows Casco Bay's four thousand years of sustainable, stable productivity Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception CCC Headquarters Central Powerhouse Charles F. Eastman Christopher Christian Manuel Civil War guns Civil War Memorial Civil War Memorial Civil War Memorial Civilian Conservation Corps Civilian Conservation Corps Coast Artillery Corps at Fort Preble Coast Artillery Corps Memorial Coast Guard Day Company K, 1st Maine Volunteer Infantry County of Cumberland Daily Life Danish Village Archway Defending this vital harbor Durant Drive Early Settlement East Yard Eastern Cemetery Eastern Cemetery Elm Theater Mask Field Officer's Quarters First Congregational Church of South Portland First Parish Church, Unitarian Universalist For All Time Fort Gorges Fort Preble Fort Williams Fort Williams Founder of Steep Falls Founding of the Maine Medical Association Franklin Street Wharf Freeport Maine Civil War Monument Friends (Quaker) Meeting House George Cleeves Memorial Goddard Mansion Gun Shed Hack Stand of Charles H.L. Pierre Hack Stand of Reuben Ruby Harriet Beecher Stowe House Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Home of Amos Noë and Christiana Williams Freeman Home of Charles Frederick Eastman, Harriet Stephenson Eastman, and her father, Alexander Stephenson Home of Deacon Brown Thurston, 32 Union Street Home of Elias and Elizabeth Widgery Thomas Home of Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain Honoring those who served In 1745 In Appreciation of The Men of Naples India Street Terminal J.B. McConnell John Ford Memorial Joseph Coffin Boyd Liberty Ship Memorial Lighthouse Bicentennial Looking East Looking North Looking South Maine's Jewish Fallen Heroes Memorial Maj. Charles Greene, Jr. Maj. Robert Biss Major Charles J. Loring, Jr. Major Charles J. Loring, Jr. Mariner's Church Mayor Baxter and the Prom: A bold vision for our public spaces Militia Storehouse Mining Casemate Morris P. Cates National Guard Olde Saint Paul's Parish On this site Phinney Park Portland Civil War Monument Portland Head Light Portland Head Light Portland Maine Fort Allen Park GAR memorial Portland Maine Fort Allen Park USS Maine Memorial Portland Maine Fort Allen Park USS Portland Memorial Portland Maine Korea and Vietnam Memorial Portland Maine Spanish War/World War I Memorial Portland Maine World War I Marker Portland Maine World War II Memorial Portland Observatory Portland Observatory, Portland, Maine Portland's Jewish War Heroes Press Herald Building Rear Admiral James Alden Remember the Maine Rev. John O'Dowd Reverend William I. Reese Robert Wentworth Scamman Robinson Memorial Gate Robinson Memorial Gate Secondhand Clothing Store of Lloyd Scott Shipbuilding Shipbuilding Site of Former Schools Site of Fort Andross and Fort George Songo Lock South Portland and Its Liberty Ships South Portland's Ships for Liberty Spanish-American War Memorial Spring Point Ledge Light Spurwink Church Steep Falls Park Steep Falls World War II Veterans Memorial Stroudwater Burying Ground The Desert of Maine The poet & the view The Site of Fort Loyal The story of Fort Allen Park The U.S.S. Portland at war The Ugly Ducklings The Ultimate Sacrifice The Work Force The Yard Today, you see a healthier Casco Bay / Take a closer look Tug Stamford Propeller U.S.S. Eagle 56 (PE-56) Veterans Memorial Veterans Memorial Veterans Memorial Veterans Memorial Bridge Voyages for Victory Wadsworth-Longfellow House War of Independence Memorial Webb House, circa 1830 Welcome to Back Cove Trail: An urban ecosystem / Explore: Portland's Magic Spaces Welcome to Cliff Island Welcome To Fort Sumner Park West Yard What's Going On Here? Why build Fort Allen? World War World War I Memorial World War II and Korean Conflict Memorial WWII: On the Home Front "Jacob Cousins left a torch for us to carry"
Maine is home to some unique geographical features: Maine is home to a number of unique geographical features, including Acadia National Park, which has the tallest mountain on the U.S. Atlantic coast, and the "Old Sow" whirlpool, which is one of the largest tidal whirlpools in the world. Maine also has over 5,000 miles of coastline and 6,000 lakes and ponds.
Maine random facts
Cumberland County, located in the state of Maine, has a rich history that dates back to prehistoric times. The land that now comprises Cumberland County was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, with the Wabanaki Confederacy being the most prominent. These tribes flourished on the fertile land and made use of its abundant natural resources.

The area was first explored by European voyagers in the early 17th century, with English captain Christopher Levett being one of the first to record his visit to the region in 1623. However, it wasn't until the late 17th century that permanent European settlements began to be established. In 1713, the Treaty of Portsmouth officially transferred the territory from France to England, solidifying the English presence in the area.

Cumberland County experienced significant growth in the 18th and 19th centuries, with Portland, the county seat, emerging as a major maritime trading hub. The city became an important port for shipbuilding and trade, thriving on industries such as fishing, lumber, and shipping. Notably, during the American Revolution, the county played a crucial role in supporting the war effort, supplying ships, sailors, and supplies to the Continental Army.

In the late 19th century, Cumberland County and the city of Portland underwent significant economic and social changes. The Industrial Revolution brought rapid industrialization to the region, leading to the growth of textile mills, factories, and other industries. Portland's prominence as a major seaport continued to attract immigrants, resulting in a diverse and vibrant population. Today, Cumberland County is known for its strong economy, beautiful coastal landscapes, and rich cultural heritage, making it a desirable place to live, work, and visit.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Cumberland County, Maine.

  • 1760: Cumberland County is established in the Province of Massachusetts Bay.
  • 1775-1783: Cumberland County residents actively participate in the American Revolutionary War.
  • 1786: Cumberland County becomes part of the newly formed state of Maine.
  • 1805: Portland is incorporated as Cumberland County's county seat.
  • 1820: Maine becomes the 23rd state, and Cumberland County plays a significant role in the statehood process.
  • 1849: The Cumberland and Oxford Canal is completed, connecting Portland with the Sebago Lake region.
  • 1878: The Great Fire of Portland destroys much of the city, leading to significant reconstruction efforts.
  • 1898: Portland becomes home to the Portland Museum of Art.
  • 1951: The Maine Mall opens in South Portland, becoming the largest shopping center in the state.
  • 1982: Cumberland County Civic Center (now Cross Insurance Arena) opens in Portland, hosting various events and sports teams.
  • 2009: The Maine Red Claws, an NBA G League franchise, is established in Portland.