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Portland's Renovations Uncover Historic Livestock Bones

2/3/2025

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Summary

Story summary

In Portland, Maine, renovations frequently unearth historical bones, echoing the city’s agricultural roots. Each year, police document these discoveries, primarily from cows and goats. Historian Earle G. Shettleworth highlights how this once-thriving livestock culture dwindled with the supermarket boom of the 1930s and 1940s, transforming urban life forever.

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Story summary

In Portland, Maine, renovations frequently unearth historical bones, echoing the city’s agricultural roots. Each year, police document these discoveries, primarily from cows and goats. Historian Earle G. Shettleworth highlights how this once-thriving livestock culture dwindled with the supermarket boom of the 1930s and 1940s, transforming urban life forever.