History

The town was formerly a part of Chatham, but in May, 1841, it became a separate town, taking its name from Portland, England, a place famous for its freestone quarries. The main street is about two miles long with an average width of about sixty feet and is shaded for the most part by grand old elms and maples. It has many fine residences and from many points the view is delightful. The town has a fine soldiers' monument, and among its several churches are some fine specimens of architecture.

There are many picturesque and beautiful spots in Portland, and a curious pond, formerly called Job's Pond is a point of interest and wonder. It is about two miles in circumference, forty to sixty feet deep and has no apparent outlet. It rises and falls as much as fifteen feet, but not from such causes as affect other ponds. It is often the highest in the dry season and lowest in the wet season of the year. When it begins to rise it rises regularly for six or twelve months, and then falls for about the same period. This peculiar action is supposed to be due to some very deep springs which are not affected until a considerable time after rainfall. This beautiful sheet of water is now known as Waroona Lake.

Its public school system is modern and intelligently directed and its school buildings are a credit to the town and its people. It's fire department is well managed and is directed by a progressive and efficient chief engineer in whom perfect confidence is reposed. The splendid pressure of the public water system and judicious location of hydrants add greatly to the efficiency of this department. Plans are about perfected for the construction of an electric street railway which will bring the more remote parts into closer connection with the business portion of the town and which will doubtless cause an appreciation of property along and near its route.