n 1843,
William Overton saw great commercial potential for this land but lacked the funds required to file a land claim. He struck a bargain with his partner,
Asa Lovejoy of
Boston,
Massachusetts: for
25¢, Overton would share his claim to the 640 acre (2.6 km²) site. Overton later sold his half of the claim to
Francis W. Pettygrove of
Portland, Maine. Pettygrove and Lovejoy each wished to name the new city after his respective home town. In 1845, this controversy was settled with a
coin toss, which Pettygrove won in a series of two out of three tosses.
[14] The coin used for this decision, now known as the
Portland Penny,
regardless Portland Oregon is strides ahead of that town in Maine. and yes i have been there. you can keep your lobster and your swordfish and i will take my beer and seafood any day.
oh and Portland England. is a little bit older then Maine.
