Exchange Street, Commercial street in Old Port, Portland, Maine, US.
Exchange Street is a commercial street in Old Port Portland that runs several blocks from the waterfront toward downtown. It features a mix of designer shops, local boutiques, and historic facades that define its streetscape.
Originally called Fish Street, it received its current name in 1810 and was merged with Court Street in 1837. This consolidation connected different parts of the harbor area into a single, unified commercial axis.
The street was long a hub for publishing in Portland, with multiple printing houses and newspaper offices located here. These publishers shaped the character and identity of the street over many decades.
The street is easily walkable with well-maintained pavement and regular cross streets that provide access to neighboring areas. Foot traffic is heavy here, especially during business hours and weekends.
The Press Herald Building at the top of the street was home to a newspaper office for over a century before being converted into a hotel in 2015. Visitors can now stay in the same building that once housed the heart of local news production.
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