Maine Memory Network

136-138 Commercial Street, Portland, 1924

Owner in 1924: Georgia W Ray Use: Storage - Fruit

140-142 Commercial Street, Portland, 1924

Owner in 1924: Georgie W Ray Use: Store Building

Working Women of the Old Port

Women at the turn of the 20th century were increasingly involved in paid work outside the home. For wage-earning women in the Old Port section of Portland, the jobs ranged from canning fish and vegetables to setting type. A study done in 1907 found many women did not earn living wages.