Historic Forts in Maine

Are you looking for some place to go in Maine that is historical?  Maine has lots of old forts - especially located along the coast.  Visit the link below for a listing of Maine historical forts.

http://www.travel-maine.info/historic_forts.htm

Visit Fort Baldwin - for a View of Maine Military History

Fort Baldwin, located in Phippsburg, Maine is a great place for a family outing.  It is just south of Bath, Maine and is positioned along the coast.  The fort was built to provide coastal protection to the city of Bath, Bath Iron Works (a huge ship building facility), and to provide coastal artillery defense along the Maine coast.  Fort Baldwin had three batteries and a large observation tower.  One of the batteries, Battery Cogan, is depicted in the picture to the left.  Learn more about Fort Baldwin by clicking on the link below.

http://www.travel-maine.info/historic-forts/fort-baldwin-maine.htm

A History of Fort William Henry - A Maine Coastal Fort

Fort William Henry guarded the entrance to the Pemaquid River - which leads to Damariscotta, Maine.  The fort was built to protect the northern frontier from the French and local Indians.  Read about the history of this fort in an article on The Working Waterfront website entitled "Betrayal at Fort William Henry" published on August 2010.  Click here to learn more about historic forts of Maine.

Fort Popham - Maine Coastal Defense

Fort Popham, located in Phippsburg, Maine, was built to provide coastal defense to the Maine coast during the Civil War.  Although it did not take part in any military engagements during the war it provided a deterrent to Confederate naval ships that might try and attack important targets along the Maine coast - most notably shipping commerce and the ship building facilities located in Bath, Maine along the Kennebec River.  To learn more about Fort Popham click on the link below:

http://www.travel-maine.info/historic-forts/fort-popham-maine.htm

Fort Baldwin, Phippsburg, Maine

If you are looking for a place nice to visit that has some history then consider a trip to Phippsburg, Maine to visit Fort Baldwin.  Fort Baldwin is a World War I era coastal defense fort constructed to keep watch over the entrance to the Kennebec River and keep the capital of Augusta, Maine safe as well as the ship building facilities located at Bath, Maine.  The fort is easy to get to and is located near Popham Beach.  The picture at left is the observation tower found at Fort Baldwin.  It was built during World War II to allow observers to radio the positions of enemy vessels to coastal defense batteries located throughout Casco Bay. To learn more about the fort click on the link below:

http://www.travel-maine.info/historic-forts/fort-baldwin-maine.htm

"Casco Bay's Forgotten Forts", Down East Magazine, May 2010 - Historic Forts of Maine

Down East Magazine has a wonderful article about the history of the forts found in Casco Bay, Maine.  These forts, which were built over three centuries, were designed to protect Portland and its harbor from enemy forces.  Read the article in "Casco Bay's Forgotten Forts", Down East Magazine, May 2010.  Click here to learn more on the history of forts in Maine.

Forts Found in Maine

Maine has a lot of old, historic forts that are still kept in good condition and are a great destination for a family day trip.  Some of the forts date back to the colonial, revolutionary, and civil war days.  Many are located along the beautiful Maine coastline.  For a listing of forts to be found in Maine click on the link below.

http://www.travel-maine.info/historic_forts.htm

Fort Preble, South Portland, Maine - Saving the Fort

The Fort Preble Preservation Committee is working to give Fort Preble a face lift. Located in South Portland, Maine this fort was built in 1808. At the time it was the largest federal fort in Maine and it is loaded with history. Read an online news article about how the committee is working to preserve the fort in "New group takes aim to save Fort Preble", keepMEcurrent.com, September 29, 2009. Click here to learn more about forts in Maine.

Fort Gorges, Portland Harbor, Maine

Fort Gorges, located on an island in Portland Harbor, Maine is a great place to visit by kayak. Read an online article entitled "Gorges Gem" in the Portland Press Herald, May 7, 2009. Click here to read more info on Fort Gorges and on kayak trips in Maine on the http://www.travel-maine.info/ website.

Fort Allen of Portland, Maine

The remnants of Fort Allen can be found along the Eastern Promenade of Portland, Maine. The fort was built in the very early 1800s. Some of the earthworks are still visible. Click here to learn more about historic forts in Maine or the city of Portland.

Penobscot Narrows Bridge Observatory in Maine

The seasonal opening of the Penobscot Narrows Bridge Observatory took place on May 1, 2009. This observation perch is located 420 feet high in one of the towers of the Penobscot Narrows bridge. The observatory is located very close to Fort Knox - a historic coastal fort also worth visiting. Click here to read more about the Penobscot Narrows Bridge area.

Presentation on Maine's Historic Forts

On Thursday evening, May 21st, a book author (Tom Desjardin) and a historian with the Maine Bureau of Parks and Land, will provide a presentation on historic forts of Maine. The talk will take place at the Sanford-Springvale Historical Museum at 7 p.m. located at 505 Main Street in Springvale, Maine. For more info call (207) 324-2797.

Fort St. George, Popham, Maine

Are you interested in old forts along the Maine coast? Fort St. George is a fort that was built on the site of the old Popham Colony located along the Kennebec River. The fort was the site of an early English settlement established in 1607. Read more about this historic fort in the book by Jeffrey Phipps Brain. Click on the link below for more information on how to purchase this book:

Fort St. George: Archaeological Investigation of the 1607-1608 Popham Colony

Coastal Forts in Maine

The state of Maine has a series of historical forts dating back to the colonial days and constructed during various conflicts that took place between the French, English, and Indians. Some were built prior to and during the civil war and later as coastal defenses during WWI and WWII. Most of these forts are located along the coast, usually at the mouth of rivers or entry ways to harbors. Click here for a listing of historic forts of Maine.

Fort McClary, Maine

Read a post about a visit to Fort McClary located in Kittery, Maine. Some pictures and a narrative about a bloggers visit to the historic fort. See the blog post by clicking here. Click here for more information about Fort McClary in Maine.

Forts Along the Lower Penobscot River of Maine

Maine is home to many forts that date back to the Revolutionary War days and earlier. Most of these forts are located along the Maine coast where they could protect entrances to rivers or harbors. One blogger from Portland, Maine has described a day trip to two of these forts - Fort Point of Stockton Springs and Fort Knox of Prospect. Her post includes links to the state park web page describing the forts, wonderful pictures of the forts and suggestions on how to enjoy the trip. See "Around the Lower Penobscot River, Maine" to view her informative post. Visit this link for more information on historic and coastal forts of Maine.

Fort to Fort Canoe and Kayak Expedition - Maine

The 9th Annual Fort to Fort Canoe and Kayak Expedition will take place on Saturday, June 14, 2008. The purpose of the expedition is to celebrate and enjoy the historic 17-mile waterway between Fort Halifax in Winslow, Maine and Fort Western in Augusta, Maine. Click here for more information on the event. See the following links for more information on historic forts in Maine or info on kayaking in Maine.

Historic Forts of Maine

The state of Maine has an abundance of old, historic forts along its coastline. These forts were erected over the past 400 years for a variety of reasons - usually in response to the need for protection against first the French and Indians during colonial times, then against the British during the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812, and later for protection against enemies during the Civil War, Spanish-American War, World War I, and World War II. Some are in remarkably good shape while others remain only as earthworks present in a field. These forts make for a good destination during the upcoming vacation season. Click here for more info on historic forts of Maine.