Before Uber: Portland taxi photos from the 1930s and ’40s
Vintage Portland: A Glimpse into the City’s 1930s and 1940s Taxi Scene
For most of the city’s history, Portland’s streets were dominated by the clatter of brass‑trimmed taxis long before smartphones and ride‑share apps appeared on the horizon. While modern cab companies still dot the map, the sheer size and style of the 1930s and 1940s vehicles—massive Packards, sturdy Fords, and polished station wagons—still stir a wistful nostalgia among locals and historians alike.
Three archival photographs from the Portland Public Library’s Special Collections bring that bygone era to life.
A Grand Opening in 1939
On November 19, 1939, a gleaming Ford Model 48 was parked outside 477 Congress Street, just moments before the Maine Civic Theatre opened its doors for the night. The theatre’s inaugural production was the San Carlo Opera Company’s rendition of Madame Butterfly. The photograph, taken by a local photographer and later featured in the Portland Sunday Telegram, captures the sleek lines of the vehicle against the backdrop of the theatre’s marquee—a testament to the era’s fascination with luxury and convenience.
The Navy Relief Taxi Dance of 1941
Fast forward a few years to June 22, 1941, when driver Donald O’Brien was seen standing proudly beside his cab outside the Eastland Hotel on High Street. The cab had been positioned there to advertise the city’s annual Navy Relief Taxi Dance—a charity event that drew crowds to the hotel’s ballroom. O’Brien’s passengers in the shot were Lorraine Legere, a volunteer who performed as a taxi dance hostess, and sailor Charley Bauer, a serviceman who was likely heading to the dance with a few rounds of refreshments. The evening’s festivities promised three bands, a lively crowd, and a generous donation to the Navy’s relief funds. The image, originally published in the Evening Express, highlights the role taxis played not just in transportation, but in community bonding during wartime.
A Veteran Driver in 1948
The final snapshot, taken on July 26, 1948, features Alton W. Bridges, a seasoned cab driver with the Town Taxi Company. In the photograph, Bridges is mid‑stride, a coffee cup in hand, ready to pick up the next passenger. His familiar grin and the familiar gleam of the company’s polished fleet underscore the continuity of the taxi profession even as the city moved toward post‑war modernization.
The Legacy of Portland’s Taxis
While the city’s taxi industry has evolved—newer models, stricter regulations, and the digital revolution—these historical images serve as a reminder of the profession’s deep roots in Portland’s social fabric. From opera premieres to wartime dances to everyday commuters, taxis of the 1930s and 1940s were more than just vehicles; they were mobile gathering spots, advertising platforms, and symbols of a city that valued both luxury and community.
For residents who still drive a Ford or a Packard for nostalgia’s sake, or for newcomers curious about Portland’s past, the photographs from the library’s archives offer a window into a time when a cab ride could feel like stepping into a different world—one of brass, big wheels, and a city in motion.
