The Great Penny Flip of '45: How Portland, Oregon Got Its Name (Spoiler Alert: It Wasn't About Cherries)
Portland, Oregon. The City of Roses. Stumptown (but hey, we're working on that). A place where you can hike in the morning, sip a craft beer at noon, and catch a band playing under a bridge by nightfall. But have you ever wondered, amidst all the delicious donuts and quirky shops, how this fair city got its name? Buckle up, because we're about to dive into a tale involving not a single rose, but a good old-fashioned coin toss.
The Founding Fathers (well, not THOSE Founding Fathers)
Back in the 1840s, the land that would become Portland was a bustling hub for fur traders and weary pioneers. Two fellas named Asa Lovejoy (from Boston, Massachusetts) and Francis Pettygrove (from Portland, Maine) decided to stake their claim on a particularly charming spot along the Willamette River. They built a cabin, dreamt of a glorious future, and then came across a snag bigger than a fallen fir tree: a name.
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| What is Portland Oregon Named After |
The Battle of the Birthplaces
Lovejoy, being a loyal son of Boston, naturally proposed they call it "Bostonville." Pettygrove, with equal fervor, championed "Portland." Neither man would budge. Imagine the arguments! "Bostonville? It sounds like a place where baked beans sprout from the sidewalks!" "Portland? That sounds like...well, it sounds like Portland, Maine, which is exactly what I want!"
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Settling the Score, Heads or Tails?
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Seeing negotiation wasn't an option, our determined duo resorted to a method as American as apple pie: a coin toss. We don't have any eyewitness accounts (though wouldn't a dramatic reenactment at the Saturday Market be a sight?), but legend has it they flipped a copper penny – you can actually see this very penny at the Oregon Historical Society, if you're feeling particularly patriotic. And the winner was... Francis Pettygrove! Thus, Portland, Oregon, was born.
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So, Why Not Boston?
Honestly, who can say? Maybe Pettygrove just had a soft spot for his Maine roots. Maybe the penny landed with a satisfying clink that spoke to his soul. Maybe he secretly loved lobster rolls and figured the name would attract more New Englanders (spoiler alert: it didn't). The world may never know.
But hey, it all worked out! Portland, Oregon, has carved its own unique niche, a place that celebrates rain boots and microbrews with equal enthusiasm.
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FAQs:
- How to Flip a Coin Like a Portland Pioneer? Use a pre-1850s penny for authenticity (or just any coin, really). Channel your inner Asa Lovejoy or Francis Pettygrove and let fate decide!
- How to Visit the Historic Penny? Head to the Oregon Historical Society in downtown Portland. Who knows, maybe it'll grant you good luck on your own coin toss.
- How to Celebrate Portland's Name? Raise a glass of locally brewed beer and toast to the city that could have been Bostonville (seriously, dodge a bullet there).
- How to Avoid Arguments About Naming Rights? Learn from Asa and Francis: settle it with a coin toss. Just maybe agree on heads or tails beforehand to avoid a brawl.
- How to Enjoy Portland, Oregon? Explore the city's vibrant neighborhoods, indulge in the food scene, and embrace the quirky charm. After all, a city named after a coin toss is bound to be interesting.
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