Historic Portland Discussion

[Portlander]

Congress Square Plaza under construction around 1982. Portland Press Herald archives

 

[Portlander]

Note the gas pump to the left and I think the underground bowling alley was where the striped awning is on the right. Portland Press Herald archives.

 

[TC_zoid]

View attachment 61765
Congress Square Park under construction around 1982. Portland Press Herald archives

When were the chess tables removed? It's still a wonderful cultural component in some of Manhattan's parks (Washington Square and Central). What do you say we get back to "thinking" again? These tables can also be used to eat your lunch with a friend (see attached suggestive photo for a new idea). I'm assuming they were removed to deter the presence of the homeless and general miscreant populations. In NYC there is or was, not a notable safety problem because it has police walking a beat with their nightsticks at hand. I'd put a little kiosk/station in Congress Square with a friendly officer from ten to ten every day. The better of the public must own this park again. And on weekends perhaps have local restaurants do surprise micro tastings. Commission a statue of Portland's original two iconic chefs alongside. Be creative. I'm dreading the upcoming new design ideas for the park. The winner will undoubtedly prioritize "art" (ego} first and how the people use it second, or third, or not at all. Remember Tracing the Fore? They were de facto saw blades sticking up from the grass.

 

[Portlander]

I'm assuming they were removed to deter the presence of the homeless and general miscreant populations.

You are correct TC in addition to eventual wear due to numerous Maine winters.

 

[markhb]

Tracing the Fore chiefly served to keep barhoppers such as myself from passing out on the grass c. 1:30 Am. I was done with those days by the time they installed it, though.

@Portlander , that Tydol station... I'm going to mention that post in the Portland History Facebook group; they once posted a pic of a Tydol station and wondered where it had been. I don't recall clearly enough to be sure but I strongly doubt anyone expected that location!

 

[Portlander]

Another shot showing the Tydol station. I wish they would have kept the classic roof ornaments when the hotel was renovated in the 60's!

 

[Portlander]

Another photo of the Eastland Hotel in color and I'm guessing from the early 50's.

 

[Portlander]

Notice the smoke coming out of the Eastland Hotel boiler which was the tallest point of any building in Portland until Franklin Towers was built in 1969.

 

[Portlander]

Prior to the 12 story Chapman Building (Time & Temperature) being built in 1924.

 

[um1990]

View attachment 64780
Prior to the 12 story Chapman Building (Time & Temperature) being built in 1924.

That is the coolest photo of Portland I’ve seen (rivals the painting with ship bowsprits hanging over Commercial Street)… Love the streetcars!!

 

[PWMFlyer]

I wish I could go back in time and have the chance to ride the trolley!! the hustle and bustle of Congress Street, I know people hate billboards, but having line congress gave it a vibe, especially the coke sign at Congress Sq that lit up the sky just like the Citgo sign at Fenway. That would be an attraction by itself, Maine's own Times Sq

 

[Portlander]

A clever billboard just for you PWMFlyer from around 1981 seeing that the PMA's Payson building is under construction on the right.

 

[Portlander]

Sticking with the billboard theme!

 

[Portlander]

Just before the two floor addition on top of the Time & Temperature Building received its stucco makeover in 1983 which was a huge improvement. This original effort to add height and usable office space was poorly designed and was an eyesore for two decades!

 

[PWMFlyer]

View attachment 64791
Sticking with the billboard theme!

Just think with that coke sign lit up at night!!!, boy the Portland Business College was a nice building..., you can see where I M Pei used the arches from that building and incorporated it into the Museum,

 

[PWMFlyer]

View attachment 64790
A clever billboard just for you PWMFlyer from around 1981 seeing that the PMA's Payson building is under construction on the right.

Does anyone in Portland smoke Kents anymore? or can you still but them? I think my grandmother smoked them. if I saw that billboard, I would rush out and get them!!! LOL see how they had to put maine in lower case to make sure you are not in Oregon.

 

[Portlander]

Advertising must be still effective after 60 years because today at lunch I used Hellmann's mayonnaise, had a coke and watched WCSH news at noon! No Sealtest Pineapple Lemon ice cream was available in the freezer.

 

[markhb]

Advertising must be still effective after 60 years because today at lunch I used Hellmann's mayonnaise, had a coke and watched WCSH news at noon! No Sealtest Pineapple Lemon ice cream was available in the freezer.

I don't remember that version of the Coke sign, but I remember when it had a red-circle "Drink Coca-Cola" that did all kinds of crazy neon tricks at night. One of the first "city" things that blew my young mind!

I love the weather indicators on the WCSH billboard... and note that, at the time, the big glass storefront in that building was actually the Channel 13 studios! I don't remember that either; I recall that CBS Eye being on the awning at 390 Congress (the Press Herald building), with big red WGAN letters.

But now I think I need to go buy a new suit at Benoit's.

 

[Portlander]

the big glass storefront in that building was actually the Channel 13 studios

I don't remember WGAN being there either but I recall Pearle Vision Center occupying that location for many years. Cannot believe that beautiful building has remained vacant for so many years due to the stubbornness of the miserable old eccentric that still owns it.

 

[markhb]

I got my first pair of glasses at that Pearle Vision!