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History
in a Pecan Shell
Founded in the 1870s, the community grew alongside the Bonham
to Greenville Road.
In 1882 the community’s first church was built and within two years
a post office had been granted. The post office closed its doors in
1887, the same year the community was bypassed by the railroad.
In 1898 the Portland Church was organized and met in the community
school. It received its own building in 1909. An annual homecoming
has been held since the mid 1960s. It is scheduled for the first Sunday
in August.
It appears that there never was a distinct business district due to
its proximity to Bonham and
Bailey. No historic or current population
statistics are available.
Photographer's Note:
"What is left of Portland is located on FM 1552 9 miles south
of Bonham or about 1.5 miles
NE of Bailey." - Barclay
Gibson |
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Historical Marker
Portland
The earliest known
settler in the Portland community was Jesse Green London (1843-1875).
A native of Missouri and a Confederate veteran who brought his family
here in 1873. Other early settlers included members of the Tefteller,
Cline, Bell, Henderson, Goin, and Biggerstaff families.
The small farming community boasted several business establishments,
including a blacksmith shop and a wood shop by the late 1880s.The
six-grade Portland School opened in 1879 and met in a one-room log
building until the school district was consolidated with two other
area schools in 1898. The grocery store served as a residence and
post office as well. Founded at the end of the 19th century, the Portland
Congregational Methodist Church worshiped in the old log schoolhouse
until 1909 when a sanctuary was built at this site.
The opportunity for Portland to grow and prosper was denied when the
rail line was laid south of the settlement. Although a few homes and
this church building are all that remain of the community, the settlers
left a rich heritage for their descendants, many of whom still live
in the area.
(1984) |
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| Texas
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