Summary

Congress Street is Portland's "Main Street," the peninsula's primary east-west commercial and transportation axis. From the street's beginnings as an access road for farmers bringing their goods to market to its development into a prestigious residential neighborhood and then Portland's commercial and cultural center, the character and role of Congress Street has evolved throughout its history.

Designated Area

Extending from High Street to Market Street.

Planning Excellence

The visual character of Congress Street is rich and varied, and the character of the street is one of layered historical development over time. The result is an area with a delightful mix of historical architectural styles from 18th century Colonial and 19th century Federal to 20th century International and 21st century Post Modern, with examples of nearly every significant style of residential, commercial, and civic architecture in between. This eclecticism and layering is the essence of the street's charm.

Congress Street is designated as part of the Arts District of Portland. At numerous art galleries, theaters, museums, and schools there are volunteers, tourists, and residents who participate in cultural activities and events, notably the First Friday Art Walk. Managed by the local arts agency Creative Portland, this event attracts thousands downtown each month and features street artists and performers and 50 to 70 venues that are open to the public for free to view art exhibits, performances, and more.

Monument Square, an iconic, pedestrian-only public space, is the site of many local events such as the Farmer's Market. Portland's famous public art honoring civil war soldiers and sailors is located in the square's center. In recent years, the City of Portland has prioritized the preservation and renovation of significant architectural buildings along Congress Street, creating its distinctive character.

Defining Characteristics, Features

History and Architecture

Following a destructive fire started by British naval forces during the Revolutionary War, Congress Street began to be more actively developed

One of the first private homes built after the Revolution was the elegant Wadsworth-Longfellow House (1785); the only remaining example of a single-family residence on Congress Street

By 1800, leading merchants, ship captains, and other business leaders began to commission Federal style homes along Congress Street

Throughout the 1800s, the area between Monument Square and Congress Square filled in with notable buildings such as the lavish Queen Anne style J.B. Brown Memorial Block, the Baxter Building, the elegant Romanesque Revival Portland Public Library, and the Congress Square Hotel; squares created unique "bookends" for the blocks between

The Great Depression halted new construction on the street; following the economic boom of WWII, upper-story spaces along Congress Street became vacant or underutilized; a number of large homes were replaced with gas stations or converted into apartments

Early 19th century Federal and Greek Revival row houses are still visible

Features and Planning Accomplishments