Portland in Sumner County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Richland
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 21, 2020
1. Richland Marker
On October 31, 1859, Richland Station was opened 318 feet east of here by Thomas Buntin on land later deeded by his heirs to the Louisville and Nashville Railroad. Five months later, a post office was established, and Buntin, already the station's agent, became the first postmaster. The town grew along the railroad. From May 1861 to February 1862, Camp Trousdale, a Confederate training camp named for Governor William Trousdale, was located in the vicinity.
On April 10, 1888, Richland Station's name was changed to Portland, to avoid confusion with Richland in Grainger County. Portland has been home to conservationist James L. Bailey, authors, Opie Read, Rebecca Caudill, writer-humorist Elmer Hinton, and scientist-inventor Dr. Samuel Collins. In 1915, Sumner County High School became the first four-year public high school in the county. Since 1941, Portland has held the annual Middle Tennessee Strawberry Festival.
Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 3A 172.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Historical Commission series list. A significant historical date for this entry is October 31, 1859.
Location. 36° 34.825′
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Portland - Strawberry Capital of Middle Tennessee (within shouting distance of this marker); Invasion of Kentucky (within shouting distance of this marker); Captain Ellis Harper (approx. 0.3 miles away); In Honor and Remembrance (approx. 0.4 miles away); In Memory of Our Brave Men and Women (approx. 0.4 miles away); "Freedom: Bought with their lives" (approx. 0.4 miles away); Cold Spring School (approx. 0.4 miles away); Historic Cold Springs (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Portland.
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 21, 2020
2. Richland Marker
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 21, 2020
3. Richland Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 24, 2020. It was originally submitted on June 24, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 322 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 24, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
