Borough of Portland | |
Settlement | |
Country | United States |
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State | Pennsylvania |
County | Northampton |
Elevation | 335 ft (102.1 m) |
Coordinates | 40°55′14″N 75°5′52″W / 40.92056°N 75.09778°WCoordinates: 40°55′14″N 75°5′52″W / 40.92056°N 75.09778°W |
Area | 0.6 sq mi (1.6 km2) |
- land | 0.5 sq mi (1 km2) |
- water | 0.1 sq mi (0 km2), 16.67% |
Population | 579 (2000) |
Density | 1,117.7/sq mi (431.5/km2) |
Mayor | Lance Prator |
Timezone | EST (UTC-5) |
- summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
ZIP Code | 18351 |
Area code | 570 |
Location of Portland in Northampton County
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Location of Pennsylvania in the United States
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Website: http://portlandpa.com | |
Portland is a borough in Northampton County, Pennsylvania, United States. Portland is located in the Lehigh Valley region of the state. It is part of Pennsylvania's Slate Belt. It is located on the border with New Jersey.
The population of Portland was 579 at the 2000 census.
Portland is located at 40°55′14″N 75°5′52″W / 40.92056°N 75.09778°W (40.920622, -75.097738).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 0.6 square miles (1.6 km2), of which, 0.5 square miles (1.3 km2) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km2) of it (8.93%) is water.
Portland was settled because of the logging trade and what buildings were here in the early 19th century came as a result of this industry. It served to increase at least one business – that of the taverns and hotels. Records show that the Hibblertown Hotel (present Ackerson house on State Street), the Dill’s Tavern (oldest tavern, was located on the south side of Emery’s, now torn down) and the What Cheer Inn (present Duckloe Showroom at the corner of Delaware Avenue and Main Street) all prospered because of loggers.
The railroad was a vital force in the development of Portland. It changed the mode of transporting goods, and attracted many new residents. As a result of increased population, the business community expanded to serve the needs of the village. By the time of the incorporation there were three general stores, a hardware store, a drug store, four confectionery shops, two millinery shops, and jewelry store.
Portland had a fine newspaper, the “Portland Enterprise.” This weekly paper, started in 1847 by L.G. Raymond, gave the people on both sides of the river all the news. Coe Finch took over the paper in the 1880s and continued until John Wildrick became editor in 1900. The financial center of Portland and vicinity was the Portland National Bank. It was organized on February 7, 1903, and received its charter as a Federal bank on March 11, 1903. It served the Portland area continuously except for a period during 1932 when it closed its doors under the pressure of the Great Depression.