In honor of
those who served
in the
War for the Union
1861 - 1865
"Yours has the suffering been
the memory shall be ours."
"Your silent tents of green
we deck with fragrant flowers." — — Map (db m107072) WM
This plaque was dedicated by Chapter 111 Alumni by former members of the Civilian Conservation Corps in memory of Franklin Delano Roosevelt and the members, who served at this post and other C.C.C. camps in Maine and throughout the United States . . . — — Map (db m55601) HM
Dedicated to the
men and women of
the Coast Artillery Corps
who defended Portland Harbor
at Fort Preble in five wars
from 1808 through 1945 — — Map (db m55602) WM
Dedicated to the men and women of the Coast Artillery Corps who defended Portland Harbor at Fort Preble in five wars from 1808 through 1945. — — Map (db m186123) HM WM
The largest 17th century settlement in Cape Elizabeth - which included South Portland and Cape Elizabeth prior to 1895 - was established in 1658 near Spring Point. However, the onset of the French and Indian Wars in 1675 necessitated frequent . . . — — Map (db m55673) HM
In December, 1940, William Newell, president of Todd-Bath Iron, won a British contract to construct a seven-berth shipyard at Cushing Point and to build thirty 10,000-ton cargo vessels. On the mudflat site, Newell had constructed a cofferdam to . . . — — Map (db m186132) HM
Near this hallowed ground our earliest settlers erected in 1722 a garrison-meeting house for worship and protection. This was the beginning of the First Congregational Church of South Portland, which was established on November 10, 1734. . . . — — Map (db m55603) HM
Built on Hog Island Ledge, Fort Gorges was named after Sir Ferdinando Gorges, colonial proprietor of the Province of Maine. The fort's site allowed it to provide supplemental fire to both Forts Preble and Scammel. Its location at the head of the . . . — — Map (db m55627) HM
This area is the site of Fort Preble, also known as Fort Hancock during the Revolutionary War, a temporary fort. Fort Preble was begun in 1808 during the administration of Pres. Jefferson and completed before the War of 1812. It was named for . . . — — Map (db m55568) HM
This scenic point of land overlooking Portland Harbor, where Bug Light Park stands today, was once home to a sprawling World War II Shipyard that covered 140 acres of land, including over 60 buildings, and had the capacity to build up to 13 ships . . . — — Map (db m50474) HM
In memory
Morris P. Cates
Deputy Commissioner of Education
through whose untiring efforts
- Maine -
Vocational-Technical Institute
was established
in 1946
— — Map (db m55599) HM
Shipbuilding has been an important part of South Portland’s economy since colonial times. Small vessels built prior to the Revolutionary War were used for fishing and the coasting trade which ranged from the Kennebec River to Virginia. During the . . . — — Map (db m55678) HM
A major revival of shipbuilding took place here in the four years just prior to and during World War II. Cargo ships, the British Ocean series and the United States Liberty ships, were produced by the Todd-Bath Iron Shipbuilding . . . — — Map (db m186129) HM
In the mid-1800s, when South Portland was still a part of Cape Elizabeth, its waterfront appeared to be a continuous line of bustling yards building and repairing ships. From Butler on Turner's Island to Knight and Blanchard in Knightville to . . . — — Map (db m50413) HM
Todd-Bath Iron Shipbuilding Corp., 1940-1942
South Portland Shipbuilding Corp., 1941-1943
New England Shipbuilding Corp., 1943-1945
This is a complete list of the ships built by the emergency shipyards at South Portland, Maine, between . . . — — Map (db m50396) HM
When Rear Admiral Land, U.S. Maritime Commission Chairman showed President Roosevelt the Liberty ship plans, he remarked, "She'll carry a good load. She isn't much to look at though? A real ugly duckling." However, these simple but seaworthy ships . . . — — Map (db m50508) HM
This park memorial is dedicated to all families whose homes and heritages were destroyed in 1942 so a shipyard could be built during World War II
This area, known as Cushing’s Point at Ferry Village, consisted of many homes, some built by their . . . — — Map (db m84835) HM WM
We welcome you to our yard. You are now a member of our army of 25,000 men and women building the ships so urgently needed to carry war supplies to the fighting front.
New England Shipbuilding Corporation, Employee Handbook
With the . . . — — Map (db m55925) HM
We were all working there for one purpose: to get this country out of trouble. Everyone had one thing in mind: to produce and to win.
Bill Walton
Worker at New England Shipbuilding Corp.
Before there could be any British Ocean class or . . . — — Map (db m55737) HM
Each new ship strikes a blow at the menace to the Nation and for the Liberty of the Free People of the World…
President Franklin Delano Roosevelt
September 27, 1941
At the launching of the first Liberty ship, Patrick Henry from . . . — — Map (db m55922) HM
The U.S. Maritime Commission in the spring of 1941, called for the emergency construction of shipyards. William Newell received an order to develop another shipyard to the west of Cushing Point. Known as the West Yard, this facility had six . . . — — Map (db m186130) HM
During the war we all did our part to contribute. At first I worked at the shipyard as a welder. Then I served on board the Francis Retka, a Liberty ship we launched from the East Yard.
Frank Emery
Welder, 1941-1944, New England . . . — — Map (db m55765) HM
