Initially there was no Portland, Tennessee, even though a permanent settlement was founded in the area around 1792; what we today call Portland was originally named Richland! However, there was a town in East Tennessee with the same name and once the Louisville & Nashville Railroad created a route through Richland, there was concern about the confusion that two Richland's caused. In 1888, the Richland nestled on the Highland Rim in Sumner County changed its name to Portland. Today Portland is recognized for its rich agricultural history, notably in strawberries. At its peak, Portland supplied twenty percent of the national strawberry market and celebrates this accomplishment with the city’s annual Middle Tennessee Strawberry Festival held in May. Although Portland may seem quaint, it surprises guests with its southern charm, dynamic attractions, and rich history; a visit to Portland is sure to be berry sweet!
