The One Small City In Maine With More Historic Buildings Than Any Other

History offers a compelling look into the past. It shows where we've come from and sometimes looks into where we are going next. In the past, you'll find compelling stories of people who were much like we are today, living lives with many of the same concerns, fears, and hopes against different backdrops of technology and circumstances. There is no doubt that Mainers have made a large imprint on the history of our nation. If you are a history buff or love exploring historic places in Maine, then you must visit one of the most historic cities in the state: Portland!

Portland has a long settlement history, spanning back to the 1600s.

Settlements would come and go, but through time and persistence, this little port area started taking shape. Originally named Casco, this port started to make a name for itself. In time that name was changed to Portland. After a while, Maine broke away from Massachusetts to become its own state, and then Portland was declared the capital. However, less than twenty years later, the capital was moved to Augusta. Fast forward to today and we have a bustling city center that is the most populated city in the state. Portland boasts over 60,000 citizens and is a hub for Southern Maine culture.

While looking for historic buildings, your first visit should be to the Victoria Mansion.

This incredible testament to artistic architecture is now a museum. Built in the late 1800s, this mansion takes lots of different design elements from Italy and Turkey. This beautifully crafted building can be visited and tours are available.

The Neal Dow House was built in 1829 for the famous politician.

Neal Dow was a staunch supporter of a prohibition law that was voted into effect in 1851. This law prohibited the sale of alcoholic beverages apart from medical purposes. The law took hold in several other states and got the nickname "Maine Law." Although prohibition didn't last, today you can tour the property. You can visit The Neal Dow House website to plan your tour.

The Thomas Brackett Reed House was occupied by Mr. Reed from 1888 till 1902.

The building itself is a duplex and was built in 1876. Thomas Brackett Reed was a speaker for the House of Representatives. He was made famous by increasing the power of the speaker of the house and creating a set of rules that help govern debates to this very day.

One of the oldest buildings in Portland is the Wadsworth-Longfellow House.

This house was built by the Revolutionary War general named Peleg Wadsworth. The construction of the property was finished in 1786 and later became the boyhood home of famous poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, who was Peleg Wadsworth's grandson. You can now visit the property and see the museum and the garden. Visit the Wadsworth-Longfellow House website.

Built in 1807, The Portland Observatory is the only surviving tower of its kind.

This structure was commissioned to signal incoming ships. From the top of the tower, a powerful telescope was used to see ships from 30 miles away. Signal flags were raised to communicate to the captains. This site is now a museum for this 84-foot-tall structure. Visit the Portland Landmarks website.

With a long-standing history, there are more historic buildings in Portland than in any other city in Maine. Most of them are restored, preserved, and stand to this day. We are thankful for those who work hard to hold these tiny pieces of history for us to enjoy. So we want to encourage you to go out there and see these historic places in Maine!

North of Portland there is another historic house in Maine that was the home to a man who turned the tide during the Civil War. We highly recommend this small piece of history with an inspirational story.

For more ways to explore history in Maine, try this Portland hidden histories walking tour.