Futility Closet

Dueling Namesakes

Posted in History, Trivia by Greg Ross on May 28th, 2007

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Portlandbridges.jpg

Portland, Oregon, was nearly named Boston.

Founder William Overton owed money to benefactors in Boston and in Portland, Maine. A coin toss in 1845 decided which city would give its name.