The land on the east side of Ocean Street, between A and B streets, was once home to the master shipbuilder Thomas Knight’s shipyard and homestead in the 1800s. When the U.S. entered World War I, the vacant property was purchased by Count Rafailovich, who started the United States Shipbuilding Corp. and built a shipyard […]

In the area where the four-story South Portland Housing Authority building is today, there used to be two small buildings that housed a variety of businesses over the years. The history of these buildings dates back to the late 1960s. Prior to 1965, Waterman Drive didn’t exist. The lettered streets, A, B, C and E, […]

Autumn is in full effect which means crisp leaves, warm beverages, and colder nights. As we gear up for a Maine winter, home insulation is key to ensuring you stay cozy and comfortable throughout the season. Keep reading to learn about the benefits of insulation, how to find a vendor in your area and rebates […]

When Portland Pipe Line came to life in 1941, crude oil began arriving in Portland, to be sent underground to the Canadian refineries. The industry supported a plethora of related businesses, including ship agents, provisioning companies, ship chandlers, pilot boats, gaugers, inspectors, boom operators, environmental clean-up companies, and others. When Canada started developing its own […]

The city of South Portland launched our Electrify Everything! program a little over a month ago, providing residents with rebates on electric vehicles, electric lawncare equipment, e-bikes, heating and cooling systems, and home weatherization. This week, we’re providing a refresh on Electrify Everything!: what it is, our program goals and how to apply. Program details […]

Community solar is a hot topic in the renewable energy sphere, and rightfully so. Participating in a community solar program expands the benefits of renewable energy to those who may not have the resources to install big, blue panels on their property (like renters). Despite its popularity, there are still a lot of questions that […]

This has been an exciting year for the South Portland Historical Society as it has finally embarked on its plan to expand to a two-person staff. This expansion has been a long time coming. Although we are blessed with a large number of generous volunteers who help make our museum and historical society possible, I’ve […]

It is easy to be cynical about politics. To believe that the system is rigged and that there is little we can about it. Yet, nothing could be further from the truth. Each of us – you and me, individually and collectively have been bestowed with the power of the ballot. In our democracy, we […]

It was pretty neat being involved with what, at the time, was one of Maine’s oldest continuously operating businesses. If you were to follow our company closely through the years, you would get pretty decent pictures of not only the evolution of building products from the mid-19th century on, but also of developments in commercial […]

National Drive Electric Week is observed Sept. 23 to Oct. 2, a week dedicated to learning about and celebrating electric modes of transportation. In South Portland, we are already seeing electric vehicles (EVs) and e-bikes scattered around the city, with more to come. Keep reading to learn more about National Drive Electric Week, Portland’s upcoming […]