In the many decades before the advent of smartphones and ride share apps like Uber and Lyft, taxi cabs were commonplace in Portland.
Cab companies certainly still exist, but there’s something to be said for the gigantic cars, like Packards and Fords, from the 1930s and ’40s that makes us wish we could turn back time and roll up to a movie or concert in a vintage ride.
Here are three photos that show what taxi cabs looked like in Portland more than 80 years ago.
In this photo in the Portland Sunday Telegram on Nov. 19, 1939, a fancy cab that appears to be a Ford Model 48 is parked outside the Maine Civic Theatre at 477 Congress St. in Portland on the eve of its grand opening the next day. The opening production was San Carlo Opera Company’s performance of “Madame Butterfly.” (Photo courtesy Portland Public Library Special Collections and Archives)In this Evening Express photo on June 22, 1941, taxi driver Donald O’Brien stands outside his cab. His passengers are Lorraine Legere, a taxi dance volunteer, and sailor Charley Bauer. The cab was parked outside the Eastland Hotel on High Street to advertise the upcoming annual Navy Relief Taxi Dance, featuring three bands. (Photo courtesy Portland Public Library Special Collections and Archives)In this Portland Press Herald photo on July 26, 1948, veteran cab driver Alton W. Bridges is on the job with Town Taxi Company. (Photo courtesy Portland Public Library Special Collections and Archives)
Aimsel Ponti is a music writer and content producer for the Portland Press Herald. She has been obsessed with – and inspired by – music since she listened to Monkees records borrowed from the town…
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