The Origins of Oakdale
Nestled on the Portland peninsula, just west of the bustling downtown and Back Cove’s sweeping views, Oakdale has long been more than just a neighborhood—it is a tapestry woven from stories, academic spirit, and the enduring sense of community. Today, Oakdale is best known as the home of the University of Southern Maine’s Portland campus and a crossroads for families, students, and lifelong Mainers alike. But how did it all begin?
Oakdale’s very name hints at its verdant past. Local lore tells us the area was once a thickly wooded section on the outskirts of Portland, where towering oaks—some said to be centuries old—offered cool shade beside farmsteads and the old Allen’s Corner (today’s Deering Junction). The name “Oakdale” first appears in city records in the late 19th century, coinciding with Portland’s rapid expansion. Developers and city officials, drawn to its picturesque groves, referenced the stately oaks that lined early stretches of Forest Avenue and Woodford Street.
Early Settlers and the Growth of the Neighborhood
Before Oakdale’s transformation into the lively neighborhood we know today, this part of Deering was rural, dotted with family farms and woodlots. The annexation of Deering to Portland in 1899 marked a turning point. As the peninsula’s urban population expanded, Oakdale—then accessible by horse-drawn streetcars—became a desirable spot for new housing.
By the 1910s and 1920s, streets like Brighton Avenue, Bedford Street, and Falmouth Street were mapped out, and dozens of classic New England foursquares and early 20th-century Colonials sprang up. Many of these homes still stand today, their porches filled with potted plants and the sound of laughter echoing on summer evenings.
Key Historical Milestones
Two events truly shaped Oakdale’s identity: the growth of higher education and Portland’s postwar housing boom.
- The University’s Arrival: Originally, the site where the University of Southern Maine (USM) now sits was home to Portland University, which opened in 1878 and later became the campus for Gorham Normal School’s Portland expansion. USM has grown alongside the city, with its signature white-columned buildings on Bedford and Falmouth Streets instantly recognizable to anyone who’s spent time in Oakdale.
- The Mid-century Boom: Following World War II, Oakdale, like so many American neighborhoods, saw a burst of new construction. Returning GIs and their families flocked here. Apartment blocks and duplexes appeared, especially along margins like Deering and Brighton Avenues.
Notable Landmarks and Buildings
Oakdale’s appeal lies in its blend of old and new. Walk the neighborhood and you’re treated to early 20th-century homes, tucked-away green spaces, and vibrant university buildings.
- Longfellow School: Located on Stevens Avenue just past Oakdale’s border, this 1907 red-brick school (now converted to apartments) is a testament to the community’s historic investment in education.
- The Sullivan Gym & Abromson Center: USM’s athletic and event centers draw everyone from sports fans to civic leaders. Their modern architecture blends with the leafy campus, bridging old Oakdale with a new vision for higher learning.
- The Oakdale Congregational Church: While the original congregation disbanded, the stately building at 123 Oakdale Street–with its pointed steeple–remains a beloved landmark.
- Payson Park: Just north of Oakdale’s residential heart, Payson Park offers walking trails, baseball diamonds, and playgrounds. Residents cherish its open space for dog walking and weekend picnics.
- Deering Oaks Park: While not within Oakdale’s strict boundaries, the iconic Deering Oaks to the south has always been a key part of residents’ lives, whether for sledding, farmers markets, or the annual Dragon Boat Festival.
Evolution Through the Decades
From the postwar era’s bustling families to the influx of university students in the 1970s and 80s, Oakdale has constantly evolved. Today, its residential blocks strike a balance between permanence and change:
- *Early settlers’ descendants:* Many homes remain in the same families for generations, treasured for their woodwork, maple floors, and gardens.
- *Student life:* With USM as an anchor, students from across Maine and beyond enrich the neighborhood’s coffee shops, bookstores, and pocket parks.
- *Renewed interest in the 1990s and 2000s:* As Portland’s reputation as a livable city grew, young families and professionals “rediscovered” Oakdale for its walkability, classic architecture, and sense of community.
The Heart of Oakdale: Community, Heritage, and Home
At its best, Oakdale is more than just a collection of streets—it is a living neighborhood where history is felt in every brick and branch. Stroll along Oakdale or Brighton Avenue and it’s easy to imagine the clang of trolley bells, the sound of students swapping books, or families watering garden plots behind picket fences. Block parties are an institution here, often spilling out onto sidewalks beneath those old oaks that gave the neighborhood its name.
Neighbors gather every autumn for yard sales, each spring for “Green Up” clean days, and nearly every Saturday at Payson Park’s playgrounds or USM’s common spaces. The blend of old-timers and newcomers, students and families, is Oakdale’s quintessential charm.
No matter how Portland changes, Oakdale’s legacy—as a haven for learning, a cradle for families, and a keeper of local history—remains rooted in Portland’s heart.