The Spring Street Historic District encompasses portions of the West End and the Arts District in Portland. It is a predominantly residential area with multiple churches and schools. The area was historically where many of Portland's wealthy citizens made their homes. Structures existing by 1820 are Federal-style brick townhomes, such as the Prentiss Mellen House dating from 1807 (pictured). The earliest settlement on the peninsula was established in 1632-33. Portland, like many early Maine settlements, experienced numerous conflicts with the Native American inhabitants of the area. Thus, the city did not experience significant growth until after the Revolutionary War. In 1786 the area formerly called Falmouth Neck was separated from Falmouth and renamed Portland, and it developed as a commercial port and shipping center. When Maine statehood was established, Portland was its first capital until 1832 when it was relocated to Augusta. The Spring Street Historic District escaped Portlands great fire of 1866, and Urban Renewal in the 1960s and is therefore a well-preserved pocket of Portlands early architecture.
Year Listed: 1970
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