Portland, Texas, Fannin County. (original) (raw)
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." -
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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