1913 Cross-Country Journey from Portland to Portland

The photograph titled B.H. Anderson - Portland, Me. to Portland, Ore. serves as a fascinating snapshot of early 20th-century travel. Captured in 1913 by Bain News Service, this image highlights the connections between two cities carrying the same name, yet situated over 3,000 miles apart. During this period, long-distance travel was becoming more accessible due to advancements in transportation technologies, including railroads and early automobiles, which transformed Americas landscape and mobility.

This particular glass negative, presumably representing a traveler or a moment during a journey, encapsulates a time when people were beginning to imagine the feasibility of traveling across the country for business or leisure. The year 1913 was pivotal in American history; it was marked by industrial growth and the burgeoning automobile culture. This image is a testament to the eras spirit of exploration and connectivity, reflecting a rapidly changing society increasingly on the move.