[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 102 (Thursday, July 9, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1711]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING PORTLAND, TENNESSEE'S 150TH YEAR

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                            HON. BART GORDON

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, July 9, 2009

  Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
city of Portland, Tennessee on its 150th year anniversary.
  Portland is located in Sumner County near Interstate 65, just five 
miles south of Kentucky and 35 miles north of Nashville. The area was 
first settled in 1792 by the James Gwin family.
  On October 31, 1859, the Louisville and Nashville train made its 
first stop at the Richland Station depot. The Richland Station depot 
was built on land belonging to Thomas Buntin, who later became 
Richland's first postmaster.
  During its first year, the City of Richland expanded with the opening 
of James Goostree's general store. The City of Portland was originally 
named Richland, but changed its name in 1888 to avoid being confused 
with another town in Tennessee of the same name. In April 1904, the 
Tennessee State Legislature enacted legislation incorporating the City 
of Portland.
  In the 1920s, strawberries became a booming business for the area, 
and in 1941, the city held the first Middle Tennessee Strawberry 
Festival to celebrate the importance of the crop to both Portland and 
the state. The Middle Tennessee Strawberry Festival became an annual 
event that is still celebrated every May.
  Portland boasts a thriving economy, with employment numbers that 
exceed its population. The city is home to excellent parks and 
recreation system, a full-service public library, local radio station 
WQKR and hometown newspaper, the Portland Leader. With a population of 
just 10,000, Portland is still a close-knit and rural community.

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